Boards, Councils and Committees

The Missoula Board of County Commissioners appoints members to help provide information and guidance to county staff and the commissioners on important decisions like open lands, planning, food policy, elections, parks, trails and much more. The boards and committees may be joint with the City of Missoula.

Examples include: Open Lands Advisory Committee, Elections Advisory Committee

Board members for special districts are elected and voted into office by the registered voters of a specific community (often designated by school district boundaries or voter precincts). These elected members represent seven rural communities throughout Missoula County and act as a liaison between the citizens of their communities and the county commissioners, providing information deemed useful, beneficial and helpful in decisions that affect the community.

Community councils are advisory only and have no tax or other governmental powers. The councils support our rural communities throughout Bonner-Milltown, Clinton, East Missoula, Lolo, Seeley Lake, Swan Valley and West Valley/Frenchtown.

Candidate filing takes place each year from December through February. To file as a candidate, contact the Elections Office at 406-258-4751.

If vacancies exist on these community councils, commissioners may appoint an individual so there is a quorum. However, it is strongly advised that interested residents file to run as candidates. If only one candidate applies, they are often elected by acclamation and a race is not held.

The Missoula County Commissioners appoint members to governing boards, which have broad authority to manage the affairs of their respective department or district. The duties and responsibilities are generally established by state law and set forth in the resolution establishing the board.Governing boards may be joint boards with the City of Missoula.

Examples include the Library Board, Missoula Aging Services Board, and the Board of Health. 

Board members for special districts are elected and voted into office by the registered voters of a specific tax district, during a spring special district election.

The first step in serving on a special district board is filing as a candidate in the next special district election. Candidate filing takes place each year from December through February. For more information on running for one of these positions, call the Elections Office at 406-258-4751.

Examples include the Clinton Rural Fire District and the Seeley-Swan Valley Public Hospital District.

If vacancies exist on these boards, commissioners may appoint an individual, however, it is strongly advised that interested residents file to run as candidates. If only one candidate applies, they are often elected by acclamation and a race is not held.