Polson Study Commission welcomes input

To the Citizens of Polson: In June 2024 a majority of you voted for a review our city government. This review is unique as the Montana Constitution gives its voters the chance to review their city/county government every 10 years.

Commission members are elected or appointed for an 18-month study to examine the current government and determine if the “form” of governing is serving the best interests of the Polson voters.

Your selected volunteer team of five commissioners are presently immersed in on-line training courses, studying other communities’ forms of government, along with arranging interviews with past and present community leaders. 

It is the commissioners’ hope and desire that the citizens of Polson come forward and give their views of our current government, both pros and cons.

Polson has a Commission-Manager form of government which means: A council/commission is elected directly by the citizens. The council/commissioners hire a professional manager and the council then supervises the manager. 

In addition, Polson has a Charter Form that is a written document that establishes the Executive, Legislative, and Administrative structure. If any changes to the Charter are needed, they must be approved by vote of the people.

Each Local Government Study Commission is required to establish a timeline for its deliberations. The timeline must include one or more public hearings, then the commissioners formulate, reproduce and distribute a tentative report and have additional hearings if needed.

Once again, your study commissioners would appreciate your input to assist in our making sound decisions.

– Polson Government Study Commission: Larry Ashcraft, Chairman,  ashcraft_LGRSC@cityofpolson.com; Pete Ridgeway, Vice Chair, ridgeway__LGRSC@cityofpolson.com; Mark Hubbard, hubbard_LGRSC@cityofpolson.com; Dave Rittenhouse, rittenhouse_LGRSC@cityofpolson.com; Phil Thelen, thelen_LGRSC@cityofpolson.com