Montana Title 7. Local Government § 7-3-1241. Appointment and removal of manager of consolidated municipality

(1) The commission shall appoint a manager. The manager must be chosen by the commission solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications and is not, when appointed, required to be a resident of the municipality. A member of the commission may not, during the time for which elected, be chosen manager. In case of the absence or disability of the manager, the commission may designate some responsible person to perform the duties of the office. The manager must receive the compensation fixed by the commission.

(2) The manager may not be appointed for a definite term but must be removable at the pleasure of the commission. If the commission determines to remove the manager, upon request, the manager must be given a written statement of the reason alleged for the proposed removal and the right to be heard on the proposed removal at a public meeting of the commission prior to the date on which the final removal takes effect. However, pending and during the hearing, the commission may suspend the manager from office. The action of the commission in suspending or removing the manager is final. It is the intention of this section to vest all authority and fix all responsibility for any suspension or removal in the commission.