Southeast Montana News

Mayor Bill Cole of Billings is inviting applications for the Ward III council seat, previously occupied by Denise Joy. Joy has been selected to serve in the Montana State Legislature. The deadline for submitting applications is January 13, 2025, but Mayor Cole may consider applications submitted after this date.

The city council must approve Mayor Cole's recommendation from the pool of candidates. Eligible candidates must reside in Ward III and be registered voters in Billings.

The appointed individual will complete Joy’s term, which ends on December 31, 2025. To continue beyond this period, the appointee would need to win a four-year term election scheduled for November 2025.

Ward III encompasses neighborhoods south of the BBWA canal between 19th Street West and 4th Street West, including areas south of Central Avenue between South 24th Street West and Hallowell Lane. A detailed ward map is available on the City website.

Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest, resume, and optional letters of recommendation to Executive Secretary Wynette Maddox via email or mail them to the Mayor’s Office at Billings City Hall.

The letter should detail the applicant’s qualifications, reasons for seeking appointment to the City Council, duration of residency in Billings and Montana, and any potential personal or financial conflicts affecting their role as a councilmember.

Councilmember Joy began serving Ward III residents in 2017 and was re-elected for a second term in 2021. The City and Mayor Cole express gratitude for her dedication to Billings and her service on the City Council’s Legislative and Local Affairs Committee.