Dillon City Council to Consider Ward 1 Vacancy, Vigilante Electric Annexation and $32,366 Sidewalk Invoice October 21
DILLON, Mont. — The Dillon City Council will consider several significant matters during its Wednesday, October 21, 2026, meeting, including a resolution declaring a Ward 1 council seat vacant, the proposed annexation and rezoning of Vigilante Electric property, and an outstanding invoice totaling more than $32,000 related to the Rife Street sidewalk project.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 125 N. Idaho Street, following a 6:45 p.m. public hearing on the Vigilante Electric annexation.
Documents included in the council's 31-page meeting packet provide additional information about the proposed resolutions, outstanding financial obligations and other city business.
Council to Consider Declaring Joleen Schultz's Ward 1 Seat Vacant
One of the most significant items on Wednesday's agenda is Resolution No. 1522, which would formally declare the Ward 1 City Council position previously held by Joleen Schultz vacant.
According to the proposed resolution, Schultz was elected to the Ward 1 council position on November 7, 2023, and sworn into office on January 3, 2024.
The resolution states that during the August 19, 2026, City Council meeting, Schultz announced her resignation and indicated she was moving out of state.
However, the resolution also states that Schultz never submitted the written resignation required under Montana law.
The document cites Montana Code Annotated 2-16-502, which addresses how resignations from public office must be submitted, and MCA 7-4-4111, which identifies circumstances under which a municipal office becomes vacant.
According to the proposed resolution, Schultz has not attended a regular City Council meeting since announcing her resignation and has been absent from the City of Dillon without consent of the council.
The resolution specifically cites an absence exceeding 10 days as part of the justification for declaring the position vacant.
If approved, the resolution would formally establish the Ward 1 vacancy, becoming effective when filed with the Beaverhead County Clerk and Recorder.
The proposed resolution does not identify a replacement for the Ward 1 position.
The council's October 7 meeting minutes also reference Schultz's resignation. During consideration of minutes from a September 29 special meeting, Council Member Mary Jo O'Rourke stated that Schultz had resigned and should not be listed.
Wednesday's vote would address the formal status of the council position.
Vigilante Electric Property Proposed for Annexation and Commercial Zoning
The City Council will also consider Resolution No. 1521, involving the annexation and rezoning of property owned by Vigilante Electric Cooperative, Inc.
The proposal concerns property within the Overland Business Park Minor Subdivision, identified as Lots 1 and 2 in the northeast quarter of Section 17, Township 7 South, Range 8 West, in Beaverhead County.
The proposed resolution would bring the property into Dillon's city limits and designate it as a C-2 Community Business District.
The resolution states that city officials believe annexation and the proposed commercial zoning designation would be in the best interests of the city and its residents.
If approved, the property would also be included within the city's Street Maintenance District and Lighting District.
The proposed resolution addresses existing pumps, wells and septic systems on the property. It states that the city intends to allow those systems to continue operating until a well or septic failure occurs.
At that point, the property would be required to connect to municipal water and sewer systems, as outlined in the resolution and applicable regulations.
The document also states that any municipal water-line extension or sewer collection-system extension to the property would be paid for entirely by the property owner or the owner's contractor.
A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, before the regular City Council meeting.
City to Discuss Outstanding $32,366 Invoice for Rife Street Sidewalk Project
Another agenda item involves an invoice submitted by Eric Wendland concerning the Rife Street sidewalk project.
Documents included in the meeting packet show an original invoice dated August 1, 2026, totaling $180,234.85.
The City of Dillon subsequently issued a partial payment of $148,400, leaving an unpaid balance of $31,834.85.
The updated invoice includes $532.03 in interest on the outstanding amount, bringing the total requested payment to $32,366.88 as of October 1, 2026.
The packet includes a copy of the city's partial-payment check and correspondence from Wendland concerning the remaining balance.
The invoice identifies the interest charge as based on a 10% annual rate.
The City Council is scheduled to discuss and potentially approve the invoice during Wednesday's meeting.
The packet does not establish whether the city agrees with the additional interest charge or whether the full remaining balance will be approved.
City Department and Committee Reports
In addition to the major action items, the council will receive reports from city departments and boards.
Scheduled reports include the City Attorney, Planning Board, Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustments, Police Department, Fire Department, City Court, Library Board, Tree Board and City Treasurer.
Standing committee reports will also be presented from Ordinances and Facilities, Finance, Public Services, Open Spaces and Public Works.
The council is scheduled to consider approval of minutes from its October 7 regular meeting.
Public Can Attend in Person or Through Zoom
Residents will have an opportunity to attend Wednesday's meeting in person or remotely.
The agenda includes public comment on matters of significant public interest that are not otherwise listed but fall within the city's jurisdiction.
Meeting Information
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
6:45 p.m.: Public Hearing — Vigilante Electric Annexation and Rezoning
7 p.m.: Regular Dillon City Council Meeting
Location: City Council Chambers, 125 N. Idaho Street, Dillon
Zoom Meeting ID: 770-316-6528
Passcode: 4245
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/7703166528
City Hall: 406-683-4245
The resolutions and other action items described in this article are scheduled for consideration and have not yet been approved at the October 21 meeting.
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