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Council approves permanent law‑enforcement advisory board after extended debate on services and cost
Summary
The Chouteau City Council voted to create a permanent five‑member law‑enforcement advisory board, appointing local representatives and named ex‑officio staff, after lengthy discussion about deputy workloads, potential levies and whether outside facilitators should be used.
The Chouteau City Council on an unspecified date voted to create a permanent five‑member law‑enforcement advisory board to advise the city and county on policing services, membership and budget implications.
Council members and residents spent more than an hour debating the group's scope and membership. One council member moved ‘‘that we create a permanent board advisory board of 5 members’’ and named proposed ex‑officio participants including Tom Fraunfelter and chief deputy Mark Grove; another council member seconded the motion. Chair (S7) said the council would appoint members if the board were permanent and that, if temporary, the mayor could appoint members. The council approved the motion by voice vote.
Supporters said the board should be local and include resident voices and at least one county commissioner, with regular checks on budget impacts. One council member pressed for a facilitator with community knowledge but noted there would be additional costs for mileage, per diem and possible overnight lodging; those costs were not specified in the meeting record.
During the discussion members emphasized budget constraints and the need to consider whether services beyond city limits should be covered by a levy. A council member summarized the financing question, asking whether a levy would translate into a modest charge per taxpayer or a much larger amount; councilors did not settle on a specific levy amount during the meeting.
Public commenters urged clearer expectations for when deputies are dispatched and questioned whether some calls for service are appropriate uses of sheriff time. One resident criticized deference to advertisements placed for the police‑chief position and said she would consult the state attorney to review application requirements; Chair (S7) said the chief is a department head appointed by the mayor with council consent and that the city followed HR and Montana League recommendations about application materials.
What happens next: Chair (S7) said he will bring a list of candidates for council consent if the board is established as a permanent body; the council expects to continue the topic at its next meeting on the 19th. The meeting transcript records voice votes but does not include roll‑call tallies for the board motion.
