The Kalispell City Council wants to reconnect with area government officials.

The idea to once again meet with council members from Columbia Falls and Whitefish and Flathead County commissioners was broached Monday night during a workshop.

The meetings would be held the fifth Monday of months that have a fifth Monday. The first is Monday, Jan. 31.

Although the city is giving the other government officials late notice, it was noted that the next month with a fifth Monday is May 31.

Monday’s meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. at Kalispell City Hall, will be rather informal.

Councilman Duane Larson remembered previous meetings, but said they weren’t that productive. “It was a good thing. We all got together and talked about good ideas, and that was the end of it,” he said.

Also at this week’s workshop, the council and City Manager Jane Howington discussed her proposal to have financial policies listed at the beginning of the ordinances.

“It’s a guideline that helps staff draft the budget and the public understand the budget,” she said.

Howington said most large cities have their financial policies listed with city ordinances, but not so much in Montana. She noted that Bozeman does this, however.

Howington asked the council to adopt the financial policies. Council members generally were receptive to the idea, but would have to approve it during a regular session.

“Since I’m a lawyer, I like guiding documents. It makes sense to me,” Mayor Tammi Fisher said.

In one example of such a financial policy, the council asked that it be given quarterly reports on city revenue forecasts.

Howington said the city is “having a tremendous amount of foreclosures ... multiple foreclosures on a weekly basis.” This has an impact on the city’s revenue stream, she said.

Council member Kari Gabriel asked if Howington’s request is different from what the city has been doing. Howington said it’s not; “it’s just putting them into procedure,” she said.