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How to Develop a Budget for Voter Review?

To assist you in developing a budget, here are some thoughts on how to determine the dollar amount to include in the resolution:

 

  • When deciding the dollar amount to include in the ballot, the statute says "OR" .  So choose either a dollar amount or a mill value but NOT both. 
  • Number of study commissioners - In 2004, the typical study commission size was 3-5 members.  Missoula County and City of Missoula both had 7 and the largest commission was Butte/Silverbow at 9. Several smaller communities elected 5 commissioners (i.e. Walkerville, Virginia City and Sunburst) while some larger communities had only 3 commissioners (i.e. Dillon, Whitefish, Livingston). Five commissioners is a good size.  It could become overwhelming for 3 volunteers to meet the demands and expectations of the review process and 7-9 could become unwieldy and a challenge to manage. See 7-3-177, MCA for more information on the composition of the study commission.
  • Annual budget - when the commissioners take office 10 days after they have been elected/appointed, 7-3-179, MCA, they will need to prepare an annual budget to support their deliberations.  Make sure you have appropriated sufficient funds for Study Commission expenses in the FY24/25 budget for the duration of the voter review cycle (2024 - 2026).
    • When calculating the expenses, we highly recommend that you budget for the cost of sending the Study Commission to a Local Government Review Study Commission Regional Workshop in December 2024, which will provide training on the role and scope of the study commission. More information on the training will be available in the coming weeks. The cost of the training, travel, lodging and per diem is the responsibility of each local government. 
  • In addition to the number of Study Commissioners, you will need to appoint an ex-officio member to represent the city/town and to liaise with the commission. This person is encouraged to participate in all trainings and should be included in the calculations when determining the dollar/mill value.
  • Include a budget for 2 separate elections: 1) the election of study commissioners; 2) the adoption by the voters of the alternative form or plan of government recommended by the study comission.
  • Include printing costs for reports, clerical support, community open houses, community surveys, etc.

 

In summary, if you have 5 commissioners + 1 ex-officio member you will need to budget for the following:

1.      Roundtrip mileage from your city/town to regional training location, meals (state rate), registration, hotel ($120/ea/night 1-3 nights depending on distance) for each study commissioner;2.      The cost for additional training/consultants (current half-day LGC rate + travel for LGC staff);3.      The cost of 2 general elections;4.      Printing cost for reports, community open houses, community surveys, administrative support, etc.