Hearing on city government set for Tuesday

A public hearing to get ideas on what form of government the city of Havre should have will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at city hall.

For more than a year, the Havre City Government Study Commission has has been reviewing various options, discussing the matter with city department heads, the city judge, previous city officials and members of City Council.

Though no final decisions have been made, some of the proposals under consideration include a city manager form of government and changing the method under which council members are elected.

The commission may propose that four council members are elected at large, while one council member would be elected from each of the four wards.

And the commission is likely to suggest that the city adopt a charter form of government that would give city government far more leeway in running its day-to-day affairs.

In effect, the city is now limited to the power it specially is allowed in state law, Commission Chair Dave Brewer said. Under a charter, it would be able to do anything unless expressly prohibited by state law.

Brewer said he has “struggled” with the various options the panel has faced, but he thinks the members are now ready to share their initial proposals with the public and get response from people.

So far, the commission members have heard little outright opposition to the city manager form of government, though many were concerned that the city couldn't afford to pay one. Mayor Tim Solomon spoke favorably about the concept, however.

Other hearings will be planned after this one, Brewer said.

Then, the three-member commission will draft a proposal, send it to attorneys and then forward it to the Hill County Clerk and Recorder’s office to be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot.