Poplar Sets Government Review Board, Meeting
During the primary election in June, residents of the Roosevelt County communities of Poplar, Culbertson and Bainville each voted in favor of having a local government review.
Each of the three communities, however, didn’t have anybody step up for an election to determine the three governing review representatives. The lone candidate who filed was Darrell Rasmussen of Bainville.
Since that time, the government review board appointed in Poplar consists of presiding officer Keith Erickson, vice presiding officer Greg Norgaard and Darrell Werner.
The Poplar committee will hold a public hearing at noon on Thursday, Dec. 5, at city hall.
Culbertson has yet found any candidates for its government review board.
If interested in serving on the board, call city hall at 406-787-5271.
Bainville’s town leaders are looking for two individuals to join Rasmussen on the board. Bainville Mayor Toby Romo said people have been reached out to, but no one has agreed to serve.
If interested in serving on Bainville’s board, call 406-769-2621.
During the primary election, Poplar’s voters supported a local government review by a 49-24 margin. Local government reviews were also approved in Culbertson, 105101, and Bainville, 23-19.
Duties of the commission include studying the existing form and power of the government. Things that are not in the scope of the government review include removing or discipline staff members of individuals in elected offices, adding or changing services or programs, changing the election process, and changing fees, assessments, taxes or other funding mechanisms.
Members of the government review commission will receive training from Montana State University Extension’s local government center.
The requirement of asking the public for a government review at least every 10 years was a result of the 1972 Constitution Convention in Montana. The goal is to make sure political power is from the citizens. People have exclusive rights of governing themselves. Once elected or appointed, commission candidates have 10 days to have their first meeting. Commission must engaged in the community in such forms as surveys, open houses or town hall meetings. Requirements for commission members include being non-partisan, living in the jurisdiction, being eligible to hold elected office and not be an elected official in local government. Commission members do not get paid.
