Montana Title 7. Local Government § 7-3-1219. Organization and officers of commission

(1) At the first meeting of the commission following the election at which the members of the commission are first elected and after that time at the commission's meeting on the first Monday in January following each general election at which members of the commission are elected, the commission shall choose one of its members as president and another as vice president.

(2) The president shall preside at meetings of the commission and shall exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred and imposed by part 13 or this part and the ordinances of the municipality. The president is the official head of the municipality for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for serving civil processes, and by the governor for purposes of military law. In time of public danger or emergency, the president shall, if authorized by a vote of the commission, take command of the police, maintain order, and enforce the law. If a vacancy occurs in the office of president or in case of the president's absence or disability, the vice president shall act as president for the unexpired term or during the continuance of the absence or disability.

(3) The director of finance is ex officio clerk of the commission and shall, either in person or by deputy, keep the records of the commission and perform other duties that may be required by part 13 or this part or by the commission.