Kalispell Mayor Ryan Hunter on Monday will host another town hall, the second such event since taking the reins as mayor in January.  

While on the campaign trail, Hunter pledged to hold informal gatherings aimed at bolstering communication between city leaders and the community beyond the formal constraints of public comment periods at City Council meetings.

"There's reasons for that formality during the meetings, but this is trying to provide that opportunity for more dialogue back and forth," Hunter told the Inter Lake. 

The town hall will be held at 7 p.m., Aug. 31, in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. 

Hunter said he is open to discussing any topics the public desires, including the city's proposed use of license plate reader technology, something he said has become a hot-button issue recently.  

"I want it to be very much public driven, so whatever people feel the need to talk about," Hunter said.  

Downtown business advocates and the municipality's parking advisory board have recommended using a license plate reader system to more efficiently enforce parking downtown and near Flathead High School, but Council on Aug. 17 voted against funding it for fiscal year 2027.  

The decision was lauded by residents who expressed concerns about privacy violations and the potential misuse of the technology, but it left representatives of the business community feeling frustrated. Supporters saw it as a way to free up on-street parking on Main Street.  

Because Council typically does not meet on the fifth Monday of a month, Hunter used the break in schedule to invite residents to speak directly with city leaders, responding to a need he heard while campaigning.  

The first town hall meeting held in March was well attended, and residents were broken into smaller groups to converse with Hunter and other councilors in attendance, Hunter said.  

Hunter said he plans to hold town halls on fifth Mondays for the remainder of the year and will then decide whether to continue the tradition. 

"As long as people are showing up and find it effective, then I will likely continue doing it," Hunter said.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.