In a close 3-2 vote, the Helena City Commission appointed Alana Lake as the next city manager on Wednesday night. Outgoing Mayor Wilmot Collins, Commissioner Sean Logan, and Mayor-elect Emily Dean expressed confidence in Lake’s ability to handle the executive role. Currently serving as executive director of the Montana Public Service Commission, Lake stands out for her leadership and management skills.
“I’m confident Ms. Lake will be able to effectively step into the city manager role,” Logan stated, emphasizing her accountability. However, the decision faced opposition from Commissioners Andy Shirtliff and Melinda Reed. Reed criticized the selection process, stating, “The approach was fundamentally flawed and did not serve the best interest of our community.”
Lake, appointed earlier this year to the Montana Public Service Commission, boasts more than a decade of military and federal law enforcement experience, including with the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Her leadership in global criminal investigation, security, and counterintelligence operations has honed her skills in interagency coordination.
Despite Lake’s credentials, the choice upset some residents who favored candidate Janet Hawkinson from Palisade, Colorado. The recruitment process began after City Manager Tim Burton announced his retirement plans for the end of the year. Burton, who initially served from 2000 to 2009, returned in 2022 to tackle staff retention challenges.
The recruitment stirred controversy, leading to a lawsuit by a company owned by former city commissioner Andres Haladay, alleging open meeting law violations. The city defended that the subcommittee led by Mayor Collins and Commissioner Logan did not breach regulations.
Helena has had multiple city managers in recent years, with five different individuals in the role since 2018, including Ana Cortez, whose contract was terminated in 2020 after disputes with city staff. Lake is set to start as city manager early next year, with contract negotiations ongoing and a salary range advertised between $175,000 to $215,000.
—
Read More Montana News
