FAQs
Who is on the Board of Directors?
The Board consists of five members as established by law.
Who appoints the Board of Directors?
The Board is elected, with elections occurring in May of even-numbered years. The term for each of the directors is four years, and terms are staggered so that only two or three directors appear on the ballot during each election cycle. The electors are the registered voters who reside within the district, along with landowners who i) own property within the district, ii) who are registered to vote somewhere in the US, and iii) who make their intentions to vote known to the County Clerk prior to the election. (See FAQ on registering landowners to vote.)
When does the Board meet?
The Board meets on the second Monday of every month at 6:30PM at the Gallatin Gateway Fire Station Board Room. All meetings of the Board are open to the public and public participation is encouraged. Agendas for the meetings are posted at the Gallatin Gateway Post Office and on our website approximately three days prior to the meeting.
Who is eligible to vote in district elections?
The electors are the registered voters who reside within the district and the landowners who own property within the district. Each registered voter gets one vote and each parcel owned by an eligible landowner gets one vote. Eligible landowners must be registered to vote somewhere in the US, and must make their intentions to vote known to the County Clerk prior to the election. (See FAQ on registering landowners to vote.)
When are the elections and what are they for?
Elections are triggered for any of the following events: to create the district (this election occurred in January 2009); to elect the Board of Directors; to recall a director; to pass an ordinance by initiative or referendum; to incur bonded debt; or to merge two districts together.
I'm a landowner within the district. How do I register to vote in district elections?
You would need to register with the County Clerk prior to the election. The exact procedures can be obtained by contacting the Elections Office at www.gallatin.mt.gov. A form can be found in the "Documents" section of this website two months prior to any election.
How can I get into the district?
The procedures for "annexing" into the district are set by state law. If your property boundary touches the boundary of the district and if your inclusion into the district does not create additional costs for the existing members of the district, you can petition the Board of Directors to annex your property. A sample petition is shown in the "Documents" section of this website. Contact the General Manager for more information.