The inner workings of local government: Providing services, finding funding and tackling issues

Counties in Montana are diverse, ranging from urban ones such as Yellowstone (pop. 160,000) to rural ones like Petroleum (pop. 490), and each county has its own unique needs and issues. 

In this episode, Missoula County commissioners talk to Dan Clark, director of the MSU Local Government Center, to learn more about the inner workings of local government. They discuss how counties are funded and the struggles that arise with property taxes being one of the only revenue sources. They ponder the reason for the tension between state and local governments, and Clark explains the different forms a local government can take – such as a commission system – to best represent their constituency and provide services for the specific needs of their communities. 

Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!