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Committee adopts preliminary work plan after public comments urging housing, water and local services
Summary
The committee reviewed and adopted a preliminary work plan for the interim; public commenters urged priorities including housing, watershed protection and shelter services, and representatives of MACo and the League of Cities and Towns outlined local priorities and capacity concerns.
Legislative staff and committee members on July 22 reviewed a proposed work plan for the Local Government Interim Committee and then adopted a preliminary plan following public comment from local organizations and municipal associations.
Maxwell Parson, lead staff for the committee, introduced the proposed work plan and study topics, citing exhibits prepared by Legislative Services Division staff. Public commenters highlighted several priorities: Jacob Kuntz, Executive Director of Helena Habitat for Humanity, urged attention to housing and homelessness; Adrianne Cotton of the Montana Building Industry Association raised development and industry concerns; Clayton Elliott of Montana Trout Unlimited emphasized watershed and water quality issues; Jake Brown of Shelter Whitefish described shelter needs; and other speakers offered local perspectives from Billings and stock-grower communities.
Jason Rittal, Deputy Director of the Montana Association of Counties, and Kelly Lynch, Executive Director of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, provided remarks about county and municipal capacity, statutory constraints and priority topics for the interim. Dan Clark of Montana State University Extension's Local Government Center presented resources and research to support local governments.
After discussion and a committee work session on member study topics, Sen. Daniel Zolnikov moved to adopt the preliminary workplan; the motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Members later moved and approved proposed committee meeting dates for the interim.
The adopted preliminary work plan schedules studies and presentations on local government fiscal issues, statutory clarifications and outreach to local governments; staff will post the plan and exhibits on the committee website and notify stakeholders of upcoming meetings.
