Columbia Falls council approves referrals, accepts resignation and swears in police officer

The Columbia Falls City Council took several procedural actions July 6: it voted to refer the local government study commission's recommendation to voters, accepted a council resignation and opened recruitment for an interim replacement, and swore in a new probationary police officer.

City Manager Eric Arndt summarized the state-mandated process for referring study commission recommendations to the electorate and framed resolution 19-68 as the formal step required by Montana law. Following a motion by Councilor (speaker 6) and a second, the council approved resolution 19-68 by roll call.

The council also considered resolution 19-69 to accept the resignation of Christine Mock and to authorize staff to begin advertising for an interim replacement. Arndt outlined the timeline required under Montana law: the council must appoint an interim person within 30 days and candidates must be registered voters and city residents for at least 60 days. Staff recommended advertising from July 6 to July 20, collecting letters of interest and then reviewing applications at the July 20 meeting with interviews possible on July 27.

The meeting opened with Police Chief Keith Stevens introducing the department's newest probationary officer, whom Stevens said "comes to us from the Flathead County sheriff's office detention center" and asked the officer to be sworn in and take a front-and-center oath. The council and attendees welcomed the new officer.

Other short procedural votes included approval of resolution 19-70. The meeting concluded after project and staff updates from the city manager and the police chief.

Next steps: staff will advertise the council vacancy and accept letters of interest through July 20 as discussed; the council will continue budget hearings through August.