Policy Concerning Appointments to Boards/Commissions
Appointments to Boards and Commissions Policy as Adopted through Resolution 10524 on August 1, 2023:
1. Except as provided below, or as otherwise specified by ordinance or other resolution adopted by the City Commission, the maximum uninterrupted length of service on any single board or commission shall be two consecutive terms, exclusive of the time served on any unexpired term, for each person appointed by the City Commission
The following boards and commissions are excepted from this requirement, in the following particulars:
a) Great Falls Housing Authority: In accordance with state law, tenant members may serve five (5) consecutive two-year terms, exclusive of the time served on any expired term [Mont. Code Ann. § 7-15-4432(2)]
b) Business Improvement Districts: district boards established to govern the affairs of a business improvement district may recommend to the City Commission appointments pursuant to any by-laws adopted by the recommending district. Subject to the provisions of Section 5 below, if a district board can demonstrate that its active efforts to recruit qualified and eligible new applicants to replace a board member who has served two consecutive terms have been unsuccessful, the City Commission will consider waiving the term limit for no more than one additional term.
2. Members whose terms expire shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.
3. All board vacancies will be advertised on the City’s Website and sent out to local media. In the case of a member eligible for and interested in reappointment, if the member is in good standing, his or her application shall be brought before the City Commission for consideration for reappointment along with all newly received applications. The City Commission reserves the right to accept or reject that member for reappointment.
4. Boards and commissions are encouraged to make recommendations to the City Commission regarding appointments to vacant positions on any Board or Commission, but the City Commission reserves the right to accept or reject those recommendations.
5. The City Commission acknowledges that some board and commissions may have adopted bylaws and/or policies to assist in the management of their affairs, and that some of these same by-laws and/or policies may contain provisions regarding appointments and tenure of board and commission members, and processes for recruitment. The City Commission is not bound by these bylaws and/or policies. Except as provided by federal or state law, the authority of the City Commission in the appointment process is paramount and supersedes any bylaw provisions and/or policies.
6. The City Commission reserves the right to interview applicants to any board or commission.
7. Citizens may not serve on two or more boards or commissions simultaneously, unless authorized to do so by the City Commission.
8. Unless otherwise provided by resolution or ordinance, all terms shall begin on the date of appointment.
9. The City Manager shall approve an internal advertising and appointment procedure for member recruitment.
History of Policies Concerning Appointments to Boards/Commissions
Resolution 10059 was adopted by the City Commission on March 4, 2014. Resolution 10059 was repealed and replaced by Resolution 10235 establishing the policy regarding appointments to the boards and commissions on June 5, 2018. Resolution 10235 was repealed and replaced with Resolution 10524 on August 1, 2023.
