Gov't review panel hopes for June 15 report

Havre residents should know by June 1 what, if any, changes a government review commission recommends in the form of city government.

Dave Brewer, chair of the three-member panel that is charged with studying the city’s form of government, said his commission will meet with all kinds of city groups — business organizations, seniors, young people and civic groups — to hear what changes people want.

The panel has the authority to propose a city manager form of government or it could propose other changes in the way the city is run.

The size of City Council could be expanded or contracted, department structures could change or numerous other alterations could be made.

If the commission makes its proposals by June 1, voters would make the final decision in the November election when four City Council members will be elected.

The commission will meet every two weeks in formal session, he said. The next meeting is 7 p.m., Jan. 26, at City Hall.

But individual members will frequently meet with people and organizations, he said.

The panel can decide that many changes are needed, and if so, Brewer hopes to detail them by June 1.

Or, he said,the commission could decide that no changes are needed.

Under Montana law, the review commission has until November 2016 to submit a plan for voter approval, but Brewer said he hopes the panel doesn’t need that much time.

It’s hard to predict what the commission may do, he said, but he added “things seem to be going well at City Hall” under the present mayor-council form of government.

Perry Atchison and former City Clerk Lowell Swenson also serve on the commission. Councilman Andrew Brekke is the panel’s liaison with City Council.