Greetings All,
CITY COMMISSION Oct. 3, 2023
Regular Commission Meeting, Agenda Packet: https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/greatfls-pubu/MEET-Packet-efc81d5872b14122a1ae8a13cb7bbe89.pdf
PLEASE SEE COMPLETE AGENDA PACKET LINKED ABOVE FOR ITEMS OF POSSIBLE IMPORTANCE TO YOU. One stand out item of note that I know most of us are interested in is Agenda Item #6— APPOINTMENT TO THE LIBRARY BOARD
The library board voted to recommend Anne Bulger for the full five-year term through June 30, 2028, and Jerry Hopkins, Jr. for the partial five-year term through June 30, 2024. The City Commission shall consider the Library Board’s recommendation, but may appoint any of the active applicants upon motion and vote.
Alternatives: The City Commission could select one of the two suggested motions or make a different motion for consideration during this meeting.
JENI’S NOTE: Possible motions mentioned in the agenda packet— motion to appoint recommended candidates or motion to direct city staff to interview applicants. Please see Agenda Item #6 for more details. Since this is an agenda item, commenters are allowed five minutes each to express their views.
City Commission Work Session Agenda Packet: https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/greatfls-pubu/MEET-Packet-57ebb1fe174b400ebd3b368c7c5d2f00.pdf
- Annual Update from Street and Traffic Division – Eric Boyd.
- Great Falls Symphony & Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts Partnership Update – Owen Grubenhoff.
MAYORAL DEBATE SYNOPSIS: Attached below, it was forwarded to me. I think it has some useful insights.
GREAT FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS: If you haven’t seen my E-City Beat article on the latest school district shenanigans — three district officials sent a letter on behalf of the school district (without any school board vote) to the county commissioners requesting they take over election duties (ALL ELECTION DUTIES) from the clerk and recorder — it is attached..
Those of us whom attended the school board meeting last Monday learned that one of the trustees, Paige Turoski, was completely left off the email distribution list, perhaps the whole time she’s been in office, so she didn’t know about the letter and didn’t see it until a member of the public sent it to her. Who knows what other important communications she didn’t receive. I’ve been waiting SINCE FRIDAY for E-City Beat to publish my follow up article, also attached. I desperately need a more cooperative news outlet!
PUBLIC SAFETY LEVY: I’m hoping to release a report that will debunk some of the city’s claims. There are some notable issues and omissions with the city’s propaganda on the levy.
For example, the “it’s been more than 50 years since Great Falls voters have passed public safety funding” sounds like the can’s been kicked down the road. But that levy more than 50 years ago was a bond levy to build four new fire stations. It was not an operating levy. Public safety operations have been part of the city general budget, so the city is comparing apples to oranges with the “more than 50 years” schtick.
In addition, the city doesn’t mention that the proposed public safety operating levy, levied at 103.75 mills, would add the equivalent of more than 2/3 the TOTAL current city general fund budget levied at 152.41 mills to the city budget. Let that sink in. The public safety operating levy is essentially a 68% permanent increase in the city budget.
It’s all in the spin…
Jeni Dodd
