Townsend City Council
Author: Rachael Brug, Staff Reporter
Article Published: 08/07/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 05Rachael Brug
Staff Reporter
7/21/2026
The Townsend City Council voted to join the Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority's property insurance program — a move expected to roughly halve the city's annual property premium and extend coverage to its new water tower — and heard a Chamber of Commerce proposal to paint an American flag on the tower at its regular meeting Tuesday, August 18.
MMIA Property Coverage Approved:
Britney Laughrey of the Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority presented two property coverage quotes. An apples-to-apples comparison dated July 2 matched the city's current line items at roughly $15,000 for a full year — about half of the more than $30,000 the city now pays a commercial carrier, she said. A second quote dated July 21 adds the new water tower on Airport Road, removes a Broadway Street park no longer needing coverage, and includes crime and fidelity coverage at $7.50 per covered person, for a prorated 11-month total of $25,718.75. Membership also brings cyber liability and cyber property coverage at no additional charge.
Council members questioned how the city's half-ownership of the fire station is insured under its agreement with the rural fire district, and whether the new water tower — currently without city property coverage — remains protected by the contractor's builder's risk policy until the city takes over operations. Laughrey said the city could join now and refine the numbers later. Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2026-R01, approving the amended property program agreement. A required attorney review letter has been signed.
Water Tower Flag Proposal:
Doug Brekker and Shirley Wilson of the Townsend Area Chamber of Commerce asked whether the city would be open to adding an American flag to the new water tower, which now bears the "Towns of Montana" swoop and a "250" designation. The pair said the Chamber would raise the money itself and has not yet researched costs or designs, but wanted to gauge council's interest first. Council was generally receptive but withheld formal approval, asking the Chamber to return with a design. A resident raised whether overpainting could void the tower's paint warranty; Public Works Director Eric was asked to verify warranty details with the painting contractor. Several council members said placing the flag on the stem — which will remain unpainted concrete gray — would be preferable to covering the bowl.
Community Theater Street Dance Approved:
Jim Domino, acting president of the Broadwater Community Theater board, received approval for the organization's third annual street dance on Friday, September 11. The event closes Broadway to B Street from 5:30 to 9 p.m., with two portable restrooms and six barricades. The Betsy will cater from inside the lodge, and the Helena-based Cowboy Bob and the Gypsy Dust Band will perform. As it did for a previous event this summer, council voted to waive the city's higher special-event insurance requirement — $2 million per occurrence and $4 million aggregate — and allow the theater to carry the prior $1 million and $2 million aggregate coverage, pending clarification of the ordinance. Mayor Vickie Rauser noted the insurance ordinance may be revisited next year.
Ordinance Revisions Return to Committee
Draft revisions to Title One and Title Two of the municipal code were sent back to committee after city attorney review. In a letter read into the record, the attorney advised council not to take substantive action on either draft, saying several provisions — including those addressing the city's form of government, ordinance procedures, penalties, officer authority, public meeting requirements, and inspection authority — require closer review for consistency with Montana municipal law. Both titles now return to committee for work with the attorney.
SID 5 and 6 Closed Out; Copier and Payroll Approved:
Council approved a budget transfer closing out Special Improvement Districts 5 and 6, which made their final bond payments June 30. The amendment moves $14,600 in appropriation authority from the general fund, $1,137.50 from SID 5, and $562.50 from SID 6 into the city's revolving fund, where remaining reserve cash already sits. Total city appropriations do not increase.
Council also approved leasing a replacement copier from Kelly Office Machines at $130.82 per month over 63 months after the city's current machine failed during packet preparation, and voted to move city payroll from twice monthly to bi-weekly, with 14-day pay periods ending on Fridays and checks issued the following Monday. The payroll change carries no added cost to the city.
Pool Repairs and Grant:
A pool committee meeting produced a recommendation to allow Eric to proceed with planning roughly $10,000 in off-season repairs: a $5,400 chlorinator and a pump to be rebuilt or replaced at up to about $4,000. Council Member Nate Brown reported that County Commissioner Debi Randolph contacted the city about applying for a Broadwater County Community Trust Board grant, funded through interest on the sale of county properties rather than public dollars. Council approved the planning expenditure and will apply for the grant once firm cost numbers are available.
Other Business:
The fire department's compliance officer has resigned effective the end of the month, and the city will begin recruiting a replacement. The Broadwater County Sheriff's Office intends to gift a surplus vehicle to the fire department for non-engine calls, pending county commissioner approval of the disposal and city council acceptance of the gift.
