Let's vote to approve a Havre city manager

’Tis the season for political debate, and while each of us differs on various issues and support our respective candidates, there is one thing we can definitely both agree on: We support a Havre city manager, and urge you to do so as well.

Ballots are about to arrive in the mail for many absentee voters and for those who choose to vote at the polls Nov. 8 an important question for city of Havre voters will be on the ballot and that is the question on whether to approve a Havre city manager.  

The Havre city manager position, if approved by voters, will assume the duties of the mayor of Havre and the finance director providing the city council a professionally trained advisor who will handle the day to day management and direction of the city and would likely be a cost savings to the city budget as well. 

A manager will serve at the pleasure of the city council under an annual contract and oversight of his or her office will be conducted by the council. Since half the council is elected by the voters every two years, constituents will have even more direct insight into the direction of the city than now with one elected mayor every four years.  

Havre will still retain an elected mayor, but that role would be reduced to a more ceremonial role by representing the city at community functions, presiding at council meetings and appointing boards and councils.  

Why change? Havre continues to grow, albeit slowly, but methodically. Havre city government does too, with a budget exceeding $40 million annually and over 100 employees. As government grows, the complexity of administering it grows as well, and we could definitely benefit from a professional who is trained in areas such as government human resource management, public budgeting and familiarity with administering government services. Havre has been fortunate to have been served for many years now by competent, professional mayors, but the reality is that statutory qualifications for the office of mayor do not require these areas of expertise and for Havre to continue to succeed, we deserve continued professional leadership. A city manager will provide that experience and stability far into the future.  

The various collective bargaining units the city contracts with would also benefit from having a city manager. A professional manager will have personnel and union contract negotiations experience, something that shouldn’t simply be left to an elected citizen who doesn’t have experience with collective bargaining.

Many cities and towns larger and smaller than Havre throughout the nation and around Montana have employed city managers for many years and voters continue to approve this type of government more and more. Across the U.S. 58% of cities with more than 10,000 people have city managers and 10% of Montana cities and towns as well.  

A manager will bring professional experience and a new view of how to lead Havre. 21st century government for a 21st century city. We urge you to support the referendum on your ballot to approve a Havre city manager.  

Sincerely,

Hill County Democrats Chair Lindsey Ratliff, Hill County Republicans Chair Andrew R. Brekke