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Commission approves $3,500 donation to Anaconda Weekly Review; county attorney urges clear grants ordinance
Summary
Commission approved a $3,500 donation to the Anaconda Weekly Review and County Attorney Morgan Smith recommended adopting an ordinance to clarify whether the consolidated city-county will follow municipal statute when awarding donations, to ensure transparency for recurring grants.
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission on Aug. 4 approved a $3,500 donation to the Anaconda Weekly Review under municipal authority (motion by Commissioner Beaudette; seconded by Commissioner Beausoleil; carried 4-0). James Rosien of the Review told commissioners the paper's print schedule and social media plans and that the paper had secured a new location and about 750 signups.
County Attorney Morgan Smith recommended that the commission adopt an ordinance to clarify the legal footing for recurring donations. "As our charter sets, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County shall have the designation both of a municipality as well as of a county," Smith said, explaining that some statutes limit county donations while municipal statutes expressly permit grants for public purposes. Smith advised the commission to adopt a transparent process so recurring donations—such as to Adult Learning, Discovery House, Copper Village Museum, and 4-H—follow a clear ordinance rather than create ambiguity.
Commissioners discussed the historical practice of awarding donations from a budget line item dating back to 1998, and approved the Anaconda Weekly Review donation. Smith recommended the commission draft policy language that would consistently apply the municipal authority when awarding grants and donations going forward. The motion to approve the $3,500 donation carried 4-0.
