Resolution #2009-10 Public Safety and General Operations

Cities and towns provide the police, fire, emergency medical and other services that a majority of the people of this state rely on every day. "To Protect and Serve" is more than a slogan painted on a police cruiser. It is the honored creed of local government and the reason that more than 500 dedicated men and women across Montana serve as mayors and council members in their home towns.

Be it resolved that the League of Cities and Towns will support bills to:

1. provide consolidated emergency dispatch under multi-jurisdictional control

2. require that all revenue collected under 10-4-301 be used to provide 911 services, adjusting minimum payments and revising state reporting.

Be it resolved that the League of Cities and Towns will oppose bills to:

1. repeal, amend or delay the full implementation of the Clean Indoor Air Act.

Be it resolved that the League of Cities and Towns will monitor bills to:

1. revise public employee retirement programs and adjust municipal contributions.

Be it resolved the League of Cities and Towns will endorse policies to:

1. restore Amtrak passenger service along the "southern route" across Montana to improve the convenience and efficiency of the state's transportation system

2. provide essential air service in Central and Eastern Montana, which was discontinued after the failure of Big Sky Airlines. This service is vitally important to a vast region of the state and it must be restored.

3. analyze volunteer fire pension and disability funds and to determine if there are more efficient and economical methods of managing these programs.