Talk of the Falls FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
While it would be possible to remove all fluoride from city water, the cost burden placed on taxpayers to accomplish this would be quite large. The fluoride level present in our city water is far below levels considered unhealthy. The average fluoride concentration in the Missouri River is 1.2 mg/L. The fluoride concentration in city drinking water is 0.7 mg/L, while a concentration higher than 4.0 mg/L is considered unsafe by the EPA. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that’s found in almost all water and soil.
Yes! You are likely in that place on the city website now. On the Talk of the Falls website, there is an option on the left side of the screen that says “Talk of the Falls FAQs.” You can find previously asked questions there.
The city does not reimburse homeowners for losses caused by theft and/or vandalism, as this is a civil issue. If your property is stolen, damaged, broken into, etc., you should contact the Great Falls Police Department.
Communication with your City Commissioners is encouraged. The City Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Civic Center at 7pm. Anyone can attend the Commission meeting in person and make a public comment during the meeting. You are also welcome to submit comments in writing to the Commission. Those can be mailed to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 5021, Great Falls, MT 59403, or comments can be emailed. The City website lists upcoming meetings as well as records from past meetings.
If you notice an abandoned, wrecked, inoperable, or unlicensed vehicle on public or private property within city limits, you can submit a complaint online. If you are unable to submit a complaint online, you may fill out a paper form in any city office (Civic Center, Public Works, etc.). The appropriate city department will then investigate the situation described in the form.
If a code violation on city property is noticed, a Citizen Complaint Form should be filled out. This can be done online. If you are unable to submit a complaint online, you may fill out a paper form in any city office. The appropriate city department will then investigate the situation. Example: If a complaint was reported about a park, the Park & Rec. Dept. would take care of the complaint.
In 2010, the City Commission requested City staff write an expanded urban chicken ordinance for consideration. At that time, urban chickens and other livestock were only allowed on properties that were zoned R-1 (the link for the zoning map is below). At a public hearing on April 5, 2011, the City Commission did not pass the proposed ordinances that staff wrote and no changes were made to City Code regarding urban chickens (links for Ordinance 3066, Ordinance 3067, and Ordinance 3069 are below).
Urban chickens came up again in 2017. The City Commission adopted Resolution 10198, which sent the question of whether chickens should be allowed within the City limits to voters. On the November 7, 2017 general election ballot, voters declined to allow chickens in the City limits (6,646 against – 6,040 in favor).
In 2021, a citizen attempted to gain support for legalizing backyard hens once again. They drafted a ballot request for a public vote, but they relocated out of Great Falls and didn't see it through.
Here are relevant links:
-Interactive Zoning Map of Great Falls
-Ordinance 3066 (did not pass by the City Commission)
-Ordinance 3067 (did not pass by the City Commission)
-Ordinance 3069 (did not pass by the City Commission)
-Resolution 10198 (was approved by the City Commission - which sent the issue to voters to decide on)
The City has not been able to provide an ice skating experience at Gibson Park for some time now. Since the shale rock was removed from the bottom of the pond, dye has been added to the water to combat weeds and algae (by minimizing photosynthesis). The dye makes it difficult for the water to form ice compatible for skating. (The City does not own the machine needed to resurface the ice.) In addition, water fowl often use the pond. Their body heat and waste cause issues with ice forming as well. (Although the City doesn’t clear the ice, some people have started to use Wadsworth Pond for ice skating.)
You may complete the Utility Forms required to turn on City utilities online. You may also come to the Utility Services window on the first floor in the Civic Center if you'd prefer in-person assistance. Be sure to bring your driver's license. For questions, you may call 406-727-7660.
The City carries out snow and ice removal operations based on a priority system. The first priority is emergency snow routes, the second is major arterials, and the third is streets including mass transit routes and other streets that provide access to major arterials.
Please visit Snow and Ice Control for more information and to see a map that shows which priority streets fall under. The same page will list roadways that the State of Montana is responsible for plowing.
Contact Information
#2 Park Drive South, Room 201
P.O. Box 5021
Great Falls, MT 59403
(406) 455-8450
