Montana Title 7. Local Government § 7-3-4405. Establishment of civil service board

(1) The commission may appoint three electors of the municipality as a civil service board, with one to serve for 2 years, one for 4 years, and one for 6 years, and to take office on January 1 after the municipality comes under the provisions of part 43 and this part or as soon after that date as appointed and qualified. After the initial appointments, members of the civil service board must be appointed to serve for 6 years and until their successors have been appointed and have qualified. The commission may remove any member of the board upon stating in writing the reasons for removal and allowing the member an opportunity to be heard in the member's own defense. Any vacancy must be filled by the commission for the unexpired term.

(2) Members of the board may not hold any other public office.

(3) It is the intent of this section that the establishment of a civil service board is permissive and not mandatory. If appointed, the board may be abolished at any time upon resolution by the commission and the civil service board appointed under the provisions of this part ceases to exist. However, as long as a civil service board exists, its operations and proceedings must be controlled as provided in this part.

(4) The salaries of the board and its employees must be determined by the commission, and a sufficient sum must be appropriated each year to carry out the civil service provisions of this part.