Lewistown Commission extends City Manager Holly Phelps’s contract for one year

The Lewistown City Commission voted unanimously on Dec. 15 to extend City Manager Holly Phelps’s employment contract for one year, with no changes to the current terms.

Commissioner Spika moved to approve the extension and Commissioner Buehler seconded. Commissioner Robertson spoke at length in support of renewing the contract now, saying the Commission had completed an annual review and established a plan for improvement. He stated: "First the Commission just completed the City Manager’s annual review and while there are some issues that were of concern, the Commission all agreed to put in place a plan for improvement with very specific short- and long-term expectations." Robertson added that the plan’s deadlines extend into 2026, arguing continuity would allow the plan to be implemented and assessed.

Two members of the public addressed the Commission during the discussion. Patty Turk, who identified herself as a former city commissioner, said she supported the extension, calling it "in the best interest of the City." Ken Shaver urged caution about rushing to dismiss leadership, saying he saw the situation as a structural problem rather than solely the manager’s fault and urged the Commission not to let the position be vacated immediately.

City Manager Phelps accepted the extension and thanked commissioners for their work. The Commission’s roll-call vote recorded all present members—Day, Buehler, Hrubes, Spika, Terry and Robertson (participating virtually)—as voting in favor. The extension carries forward the existing performance expectations and a plan for improvement outlined in the most recent annual review.