Welcome to Montana municipal government! Through this introductory course, participants will study the foundational elements of local
government, including its purpose, laws, best practices, duties of elected and appointed officials, and much more. It is a great practical overview of municipal government for both new and experienced officials.
Start Date: January 10, 2018
End Date: February 20, 2018
Fee: $50.00
Required Material: Montana Municipal Officials Handbook*
*Not included in registration fee. If a copy of the handbook is not available at your municipal clerk’s office, it may be purchased from the MSU Extension store
at store.msuextension.org or by calling 406.994.2022.
Time: Approx. 2 – 3 hrs/week
Format: Participants complete one unit per week for six weeks. To receive
credit, participants must complete the following steps for each unit:
- Read the assigned section of text in the Handbook
- Complete all Unit activities such as quizzes, etc.
- Participate in online discussion board
Register online at www.msulocalgov.org/training/onlinecourseregistration.html
Montana Municipal Executive Forum
You are cordially invited to the 2018 Executive Forum hosted at the Red Lion Ridgewater Inn and Suites in Polson, MT March 28th – 30th. The Executive Forum is an educational and networking opportunity designed specifically for Montana Mayors, City Managers, and Chief Executives.
On Wednesday, the Forum kicks off with an Economic Development Tour in Polson including the Mission Bay Project and Golf Course, Country Pasta (manufacturing), Polson Motorcoach & RV Park, the Polson Theatre, and concluding the afternoon with a social hour at the Vine and Tap hosted by the National League of Cities (NLC). Transportation will be provided for this tour.
Thursday will open with an Orientation featuring a look at the Municipal Officials Handbook with Dan Clark of the Local Government Center; a presentation by NLC West Region Program Manager, Mike Nelson; a Mayors’ Experience Panel giving a unique perspective from seasoned Mayors and lessons they’ve learned in their careers; an Update on Current Issues by Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney & State Agency Representatives; an HB 473 Gas Tax Update by Kelly A. Lynch, JD, AICP, MLCT; followed by break out sessions for Mayors and City Managers for the afternoon. The day will conclude with a roundtable reception hosted by the MLCT, MMIA, and LGC.
Friday’s presentations complete the Forum with Angela Simonson, MMIA and Dave Rau, Montana Law Enforcement Academy, Britani Laughery and Thom Danenhower, MMIA; Tim Burton and Kelly A. Lynch, JD, AICP of the MLCT, and concluding with a QA session with the MMIA, MLCT, and LGC: You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers!
Check out our Agendas!
Please register online at: https://form.jotform.com/73384100991153 Although there is no cost for registration, registering helps ensure this event is adequately structured for the total number of participants.
Reservations at the Red Lion Ridgewater Inn and Suites can be made by calling (406) 872-2200; the event code is “Executive Forum”. For questions, please contact Janel Favero at jfavero@mmia.net or 406-495-7016.
Join the MMIA, the MLCT and the MSU LGC for the Municipal Summit!
You are cordially invited to participate in the Great Falls Municipal Summit, April 17, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Great Falls Civic Center, in the Missouri Room.
The Municipal Summits are statewide educational and networking events that bring together stakeholders in local and state government to share ideas and discover resources, coordinated by the Montana League of Cities and Towns (MLCT), the Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority (MMIA), and the MSU Local Government Center (LGC).
When: April 17, 2018, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Great Falls Civic Center, Missouri Room
2 Park Dr S
Great Falls, MT 59401
Lunch will be provided!
2018 Summit topics include:
- Agency, Advocacy, Litigation Update
- Dialogue with the Governor’s Office and Staff
- ADA Requirements for Municipalities
- Safety in the Workplace
- Governance – Real-World Scenarios for the Municipal Employees and Elected
Officials - Q&A – MLCT, MMIA, and LGC staff
Although there is no cost for registration, registering helps ensure this event is adequately structured for the total number of participants!
Register online at: https://www.jotform.com/mmia/2018summit
Join the MMIA, the MLCT and the MSU LGC for the Municipal Summit!
You are cordially invited to participate in the Havre Municipal Summit, April 18, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Great Northern.
The Municipal Summits are statewide educational and networking events that bring together stakeholders in local and state government to share ideas and discover resources, coordinated by the Montana League of Cities and Towns (MLCT), the Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority (MMIA), and the MSU Local Government Center (LGC).
When: April 18, 2018, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Best Western Plus Great Northern
1345 1st St
Havre, MT 59501
Lunch will be provided!
2018 Summit topics include:
- Agency, Advocacy, Litigation Update
- Dialogue with the Governor’s Office and Staff
- ADA Requirements for Municipalities
- Safety in the Workplace
- Governance – Real-World Scenarios for the Municipal Employees and Elected
Officials - Q&A – MLCT, MMIA, and LGC staff
Although there is no cost for registration, registering helps ensure this event is adequately structured for the total number of participants.
Register online at: https://www.jotform.com/mmia/2018summit
Join the MMIA, the MLCT and the MSU LGC for Municipal Summit!
You are cordially invited to participate in the Fort Peck Municipal Summit, April 19, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Musuem.
The Municipal Summits are statewide educational and networking events that bring together stakeholders in local and state government to share ideas and discover resources, coordinated by the Montana League of Cities and Towns (MLCT), the Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority (MMIA), and the MSU Local Government Center (LGC).
When: April 19, 2018, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum
157 Yellowstone Road
Fort Peck, MT 59223
Lunch will be provided!
2018 Summit topics include:
- Agency, Advocacy, Litigation Update
- Dialogue with the Governor’s Office and Staff
- MMIA Cyber Security and Coverage
- Safety in the Workplace
- Governance – Real-World Scenarios for the Municipal Employees and Elected
Officials - Q&A – MLCT, MMIA, and LGC staff
Although there is no cost for registration, registering helps ensure this event is adequately structured for the total number of participants!
Register online at: https://www.jotform.com/mmia/2018summit
Join the MMIA, the MLCT and the MSU LGC for the Municipal Summit!
You are cordially invited to participate in the Terry Municipal Summit, April 20 2018, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Evelyn Cameron Heritage Center.
The Municipal Summits are statewide educational and networking events that bring together stakeholders in local and state government to share ideas and discover resources, coordinated by the Montana League of Cities and Towns (MLCT), the Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority (MMIA), and the MSU Local Government Center (LGC).
When: April 20, 2018, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Evelyn Cameron Heritage Center
212 Laundre Ave.
Terry, MT 59349
Lunch will be provided!
2018 Summit topics include:
- Agency, Advocacy, Litigation Update
- Dialogue with the Governor’s Office and Staff
- MMIA Cyber Security and Coverage
- Safety in the Workplace
- Governance – Real-World Scenarios for the Municipal Employees and Elected
Officials - Q&A – MLCT, MMIA, and LGC staff
Although there is no cost for registration, registering helps ensure this event is adequately structured for the total number of participants!
Register online at: https://www.jotform.com/mmia/2018summit
The cost to participate is:
- $415 for full week*
- $275 for half week
- $105 for one day
* Additional $100 for those who are not members of MMCTFOA
For more information, visit the MSU Local Government Center website.
Montana Municipal Attorneys! Join us May 9-11, 2018 for the upcoming Jim Tillotson Service Program! We will offer you FREE CLE credits, an opportunity to network with your peers, and to learn about issues that are important to your municipalities.
2018 Presentations
- ADA Requirements for Municipalities – Kelly A. Lynch
- Course and Scope – Steve Wade
- Cybersecurity Preparedness- The Legal Landscape and Incident Response Survival Guide – David M. Brown
- Breat Test Foundation For trial and Recent Defense Challanges
- Government Lawyer Ethics- Client – Constituent Communications – Professor Jordan Gross
- Privacy, Privilege, and the Public’s Right to Know and Participate – Harlan B. Krogh
- Rouge Mayors Council Cousins and Stubborn Judges-Separation of Powers – Sam Painter
Join us for the 2018 MMIA Defense Counsel Summit presented by MMIA at the Clarion Inn Copper King Hotel on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, in the Copper 3 room.
Agenda coming soon. Free CLEs!
Although there is no cost for registration, registering helps to ensure that this event is adequately structured for the total number of participants. Free lunch will be provided.
Final Agenda Announced!
Mayors, chief executives, and city managers join the MMIA, the Montana League of Cities and Towns (MLCT), and the MSU Local Government Center for the 2019 Executive Forum. The Forum is an educational and networking experience that is designed specifically with you in mind.
Please RSVP for this event at https://form.jotform.com/83224793942161. Registration is free, but we need an accurate attendee count to adequately plan the event.
To reserve your room in our block at Jorgenson’s Inn and Suites, please call 406-442-1770 and use the code “MMIA 2019 Executive Forum.”
This year’s Executive Forum is coupled with a Local Government Day at the Capitol Rotunda on February 14.
Take this opportunity to connect with your Montana legislators on local issues and pending legislation that will affect your city or town. No registration necessary. This event is presented by MLCT, MMIA, and our partners at the Montana Association of Counties (MACo).
If you have any questions, please contact Janel Favero at 406-495-7016 or jfavero@mmia.net. We look forward to seeing you in February!
For Clerks and Elected Officials
Thank you for attending the Jim Tillotson Service Program May 8-10, 2019. Your attendance is being reported to the Montana CLE, and you may earn up to 13.5 CLE credits, including 3 Ethics credits!
If you did not have time to submit your evaluation of our 2019 course, you can do so now at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019Tillotson
You can view copies of the presentations below.
- Claims Case Study: T.F. and S.H. v. City of Helena: Avoiding and defending sexual assault claims – William L. Crowley, Natasha Prinzing Jones, and Tracey Neighbor Johnson, Boone Karlberg P.C.
- Contract and Coverage Considerations – Chad Adams, Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven and Ann Komac, MMIA
- New Montana Criminal Legislation – 2019 Session – Ole Olson and Chris McConnell Assistant Attorneys General
- Legal Issues Concerning Homelessness Public Intoxication Panhandling – Brent Brooks, Billings City Attorney; Jim Nugent, Missoula City Attorney; and Ryan Sudbury, Deputy Missoula City Attorney
- Local Government Ethics and Political Practices – Jeff Mangan, Montana Commissioner of Political Practices
The 2019 Defense Counsel Summit will be in Helena this year at the Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel