GOVERNMENT

Silicon Valley ‘civic-tech’ companies driving transparency in local government

From how much a community spends on police equipment to the amount of a check written to a contractor building the new fire station, more details of a city’s budget are moving from paper or clunky software to sophisticated Web applications — marking an information revolution that could lead to better government.

Beyond minimum – Missoula labor advocates say better wages are just a start

Alex Taft, a Missoula City Council member, recently made waves with a proposal to raise the minimum wage for full-time city workers to $15 an hour as part of its 2016 budget.

Civil Forfeiture Now Requires A Criminal Conviction In Montana And New Mexico

Just in time for the Fourth of July, states are declaring their independence from civil forfeiture.

Montana audit uncovered need for major repairs – The Causes, Costs and Consequences of Bad Government Data

Some of the examples include: transportation expenses overstated by about $220 million, capital grants and contributions for Natural Resources understated by $445 million and transfers of about $47.8 million which were omitted entirely.

Senator Tester announces critical payments for Montana counties

Montana receives nearly $27 million in PILT to pay for local infrastructure and education

Mayors Report Innovation Challenges at City Innovate Summit

"Cities today are the engines of the greatest surge in innovation, creativity and problem solving in human history … and cities that think of themselves as platforms will become stronger, attract better talent and become smarter from the bottom up."

Judge says Missoula can take over Mountain Water by condemnation

A Missoula District Court judge says the city has proven it’s "more necessary" for the city to own its water utility than to have it continue in private hands.

Helena lacks cash for routine replacements; official predicts bond will be needed

This year’s inability to pay for scheduled expenses, however, pales when compared with what’s to come.

Missoula mayor proposes 5 percent increase in city taxes

"We are budgeting conservatively again this year, though with all the development occurring around Missoula that we see, you know, those projects are going to hit the tax rolls. It’s just a matter of when."

Getting Governments to Shop Well

Governments and vendors can learn a lot from each other. The procurement process ought to start long before the RFPs are issued.

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