---
title: What is Commission-Manager?
description: "\"Discover how Montana’s Commission–Manager system empowers elected councils and appointed managers under MCA 7-3-301 to 7-3-318 with flexible governance.\""
---

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April 2, 2026

# What is Commission-Manager?

Commission – Manager  
(Council – Manager) • Government Plan: Self-governing or General Government Powers MCA 7-3-302  
• Elected Commission (council) MCA 7-3-301  
• Commission appoints Manager, indefinite term, basis or merit, removed by commission majority vote   
MCA 7-3-303  
• Manager is the chief administrative officer responsible to the commission for government issues by law, ordinance, or resolution MCA 7-3-301  
• Structural options (voted by qualified electors when form of government adopted) MCA 7-3-311:  
• Members of all boards (except temporary advisory committees) shall be appointed by   
chairman/manager with commission consent or by commission MCA 7-3-312  
• Commission members elected at large, by districts, or combination MCA 7-3-313  
•Partisan or nonpartisan local government elections MCA 7-3-314  
•Commission Chair shall be elected by commission members from their own for a term established by ordinance, or elected by qualified electors for a term, or by ordinance MCA 7-3-315  
• Elect commission for concurrent or overlapping terms in office MCA 7-3-316  
• Commission size determined by vote, minimum of three (3) Commissioners MCA 7-3-317   
• Community Councils that advise the commissioners may be authorized by ordinance or a minimum of three (3) members elected from each district MCA 7-3-317  
 Elected office terms may not exceed four (4) years, established by voters MCA 7-3-318  
• See also MCA Title 7, Ch. 3, part 41-44

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