Colstrip council approves solid‑waste assessment, budget transfer, school parade permit and police vehicle purchase

The Colstrip City Council on Aug. 1 approved a package of routine measures including a citywide solid‑waste assessment, a budget appropriation transfer, a homecoming parade permit for Colstrip Public Schools and payment to acquire a police vehicle.

Mayor (presiding) introduced Resolution 2025‑R17, described in the meeting as "a resolution of the city council of Colstrip, Montana, to levy assessments upon property within city limits to defray the cost of solid waste collection services." A council member moved to approve the resolution and the mayor seconded; the clerk conducted a roll‑call vote and council members on the record voted in the affirmative. Council discussion noted that the 96‑gallon collection rate "has not been increased for a long, long time," according to a council participant during the discussion.

The council next approved Resolution 2025‑R18 to transfer appropriations within and among expenditure classes for the FY2024–25 budget. That motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Separately, the council granted a special‑event permit to Colstrip Public Schools for a homecoming parade on Sept. 18 after a council member moved to approve the application and the motion carried. The council also authorized payment for a police vehicle so department staff could proceed with delivery and outfitting; that motion likewise passed.

During public comment and a presentation portion of the meeting, resident Jim Asheson identified himself and described regional economic‑development work that he said has helped attract grants, loans and investment to a four‑county area. "Since 2010, we've done over $5,200,000 in grants and loans," Asheson said, and he described cumulative economic‑impact calculations the group tracks. He outlined staff roles including a local loan officer and compliance support for grant reporting.

The mayor called for department reports earlier in the meeting; the police chief (referred to as Chief Gert in the record) said he had nothing additional to report. A council member summarized the first public hearing of a local government study commission, noting roughly 10 members of the public attended and that the commission will follow up with interviews of city officials and possibly contact comparable Montana municipalities.

The meeting record also includes administrative items approved on the consent agenda (referenced amounts of 497,000 and 131,000 were noted on the consent paperwork) and a brief discussion of business‑license renewals and an upcoming short (10–12 question) public survey that the city plans to mail and post online to solicit feedback.

With no further business the mayor closed the public comment and adjourned the meeting. Council members publicly thanked the city clerk/treasurer, identified in the record as Michelle Lafiche (the transcript also includes an inconsistent reference to "Michelle Richard"; the clerk was referred to throughout the meeting to conduct votes and roll call).