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10/13/2025
Two more candidates talk growth and investment in Great Falls
On Nov. 4, voters will decide who will fill two open seats on the Great Falls City Commission. Four candidates are running for the positions, and the top two vote recipients will win. Those candidates are Matt Pipinich, Casey Schreiner, Pete Anderson and incumbent Joe McKenney.
Montana Free Press interviewed all four candidates. This week’s newsletter features comments from Anderson and Schreiner. You can read about Pipinich and McKenney in this earlier newsletter edition. You can also read interviews with mayoral candidates Cory Reeves and Jasmine Taylor.
Anderson: Keep it local, focus on housing
Anderson’s day job is running a construction business in Great Falls, and as a result, local development is on his mind.
“The biggest issue for me is the attitude toward development,” Anderson told MTFP. “And that goes hand in hand with the biggest crisis that I think our city is facing, and that’s the housing crisis.”
Anderson outlined a few development priorities that he said he’d keep in mind if elected to the city commission. First, he said resources should go toward supporting the rehabilitation of the “thousands” of properties in the city that are in disrepair.
Anderson said that the new construction approved by the city commission has been good, but those homes don’t address affordability. He said that he purchased a home to rent to some of his employees because they had difficulty finding affordable housing.
“The majority, if not all of my employees, are housing insecure,” he said. “And I’ve got seven people working. They wouldn’t afford one of these new constructed homes.”
He said he would consider repurposing not only vacant residential lots but also open spaces, such as city parks, for housing. He said he was intrigued by a proposal before Cascade County commissioners this summer to donate property to NeighborWorks Great Falls, which intends to use 10 acres outside the city’s west side for its owner-built home program.
While that proposal didn’t involve developed parkland, it has been used by neighborhood residents for recreation. Anderson said that it could be an option to reduce land acquisition costs for certain developers.
“If there’s land that’s unused or not profitable, it really would have to go to the public, but it’s an interesting idea to pursue, and there might be ways to lower the cost and maybe make it eligible for nonprofits,” he said.
As the city considers the kinds of developments that could come to town, Anderson said he would prioritize local.
“The city commission just needs a little more of an inward look when it comes to policy, and really taking a hard look at some of the companies that we enshrine with the city,” he said.
Anderson has this perspective after working with multiple clients who own property downtown to access tax increment financing funds and work with the city on renovation projects. He also said that as his local business has grown, he has wanted to find more opportunities to invest in the community.
And as Anderson has done a lot of work on downtown properties, he said it would be a great area to begin the rehabilitation of existing real estate. He encouraged the city to offer incentives to support downtown investors.
Asked to reflect on another downtown institution, the Great Falls Public Library, Anderson said that the city should consider a “serious redesign” of what the library offers. He viewed the library’s budget relative to the housing needs of city residents.
“I think the library should exist, but when people can’t find housing and pay their bills, the library should either help with that or operate on a skeleton budget instead of a surplus,” Anderson said in a written statement after the initial interview with MTFP. “I consider the large mill [levy] to be more appropriate for a time when the economy is a bit better. Right now, I support a sustainable but lesser mill [levy] for the library.”
Schreiner: Invest in public safety, make the Missouri River a centerpiece
Schreiner is a former state legislator who has run for governor and mayor of Great Falls in the past. Since 2021, he has worked as chief strategy officer for Alluvion Health, the area’s federally qualified health center.
Speaking about growth, Schreiner told MTFP that city leaders need to aim to make Great Falls a good fit for prospective residents — both people and commercial entities.
“The truth is, we do need to be an attractive place for new people looking to move here, which comes with the revitalization of our infrastructure,” he said. “That comes to the home market. We’re in a housing crisis.”
He said that he would be skeptical of proposals that might appear to be “cash giveaways” for prospective developments. The better path, he said, is to lean on public-private partnerships, such as the work of the Great Falls Development Alliance. But, he added that there is a reason for development incentives, which is to attract entities that will eventually contribute to a long-term tax base.
“The thing that we always forget is there is a long-term tax incentive for the community that helps,” Schreiner said. “Commercial development, for us, is a need and a must. Because it’s the only thing that keeps homeowner property taxes from just skyrocketing.”
Something that distinguishes residential developments from commercial ones, Schreiner said, is the need for additional public safety infrastructure. During the 2023 public safety levy and bond campaign, the city repeated a stat that Great Falls has grown geographically by 44% but the fire and police infrastructure has remained the same.
In Schreiner’s view, the city has deferred incremental investments in public safety over decades. Now, he said another future public safety levy is necessary, though in a revised form from the 2023 ask.
“I do think it probably needs to be a reprioritization and a shrinking down of what that looks like,” he said.
One area that Schreiner feels is underutilized as a public asset is the Missouri River. Though Great Falls has always been a river town, he said that the waterway should be leveraged in a way that makes it a centerpiece for the city’s reputation.
“When they talk about Great Falls, I don’t hear them talk about the river,” he said. “And it’s like the primary identifier, the Missouri River. So how do we build a culture around that that changes what Great Falls is?”
Another relevant part of the Great Falls landscape for Schreiner is the Rocky Mountain Building downtown. Alluvion, Schreiner’s employer, began renovating the building years ago but discontinued work amid financial struggles.
If a proposal specific to the building were to come before the commission, Schreiner said he would recuse himself.
“You always walk the line of you’re elected to do a job, but understanding where you have to step aside and let others make the decision,” he said. “And that’s a place that I feel super comfortable.”
Like many in Great Falls, Schreiner feels the city is on the precipice of change with multiple projects in motion that could change the area’s character. He said that those are opportunities to grasp in areas where the city commission can contribute. But the incentives shouldn’t just benefit those who might eventually come to Great Falls.
“I think what we miss is we should be helping the quality of life for the people who are here and have been here for 50 years,” he said. “It shouldn’t just always be the new shiny thing. It also needs to be beneficial for the folks who have been here. And I don’t hear that a lot in conversation.”
Photo Op
Montana State University held a grand opening last week in Great Falls, marking the completion of the first of five new College of Nursing buildings. The Great Falls site, at 17th Avenue South and 29th Street, was built on land donated by Benefis Healthcare.
Great Falls was home to MSU’s original College of Nursing, which dates back to 1937, according to the university. This new building, as well as those to come, is possible through a $101 million donation from Mark and Robyn Jones, whose names adorn the Great Falls building.
Last week’s grand opening had a large crowd and featured comments from MSU President Brock Tessman, College of Nursing Dean Sarah Shannon, Benefis CEO John Goodnow and Congressman Troy Downing.
Calling all photographers: Submit a photo for Great Falls This Week to [email protected].
5 Things to Know in Great Falls
A Great Falls man has been confirmed as U.S. attorney for the District of Montana. Kurt Alme was confirmed last week by the U.S. Senate and will serve his second term as U.S. attorney. His first time in that role was during the last Trump administration. Multiple state and federal officials offered congratulations to Alme.
Great Falls police officers will receive a raise after the city commission approved a new labor contract. The contract runs through June 30, 2027, and increases officer base wages from $74,559 to $79,116. The contract includes increases of 6% each year for cost of living, health insurance and market adjustment. The police union agreed to an 80%-20% split for health insurance, replacing the previous cost share of 85%-15%. There are 84 sworn officers in the Great Falls Protective Police Association.
The City-County Health Department and Great Falls Fire Rescue are hosting walk-in flu and COVID shot clinics. They will be held Oct. 10, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The locations are Station No. 2 (731 Sixth St. N.W.), Station No. 3 (3325 Central Ave.) and Station No. 4 (1800 Fox Farm Road), respectively. More information is available here.
The Great Falls City Commission approved a $94,792 contract with California-based Matrix Consulting Group to review the fee structures, operations and spending of the Great Falls Park and Recreation department. The review will focus on the department’s facilities and service areas, including the Aim High Big Sky recreation center. The review will take about six months to complete, according to city documents.
The Great Falls Public Library’s 66th-annual American Association of University Women book sale begins Oct. 15. Full price (first pick) sales run through Oct. 18. Half-price sales are Oct. 22 through Oct. 24. The sack sale is Oct. 25. The sale includes books, DVDs, games, CDs and other items.
3 Questions For
The fall ballot will include a race for Great Falls municipal judge — one of two in the city’s court. There is one registered candidate for that race, incumbent Mark Dunn.
Dunn won his first term as municipal judge in 2023. Previously, he served as a clerk for a district court judge for two years, a public defender for over four years and worked as a prosecutor in the city attorney’s office for more than five years. MTFP reached out to Dunn to share more about his work and the role of the municipal court.
MTFP: What have you learned over your first term as a municipal court judge?
Dunn: There were definitely things coming in that I expected as a result of having practiced for a significant time in the Great Falls Municipal Court. However, I don’t think anyone can be fully prepared for the pressure of being the final arbiter of an individual’s case. I’ve definitely learned the importance of being thoughtful and deliberate when having to make a ruling or judgment. Taking the time needed to make the right decision is imperative.
My appreciation for the necessity of an independent judiciary has also grown immensely. Now more than ever, citizens need to know that they will receive equal treatment under the law.
MTFP: Generally, the municipal court handles different kinds of cases (traffic infractions, misdemeanors) than a district court. How is the muni court most effective as part of the larger public safety structure?
Dunn: The municipal court handles all criminal misdemeanors, traffic offenses and various civil actions within the city limits of Great Falls. This results in a busy and voluminous docket. With so many cases, the municipal court has a unique opportunity to impact the broader public safety issue. When the court is faced with individuals who have been convicted or pled guilty to a charge, determining the appropriate sentence can play a huge role in preventing an escalation in public safety. For example, if there is an underlying substance abuse or mental health issue in a case that comes before the court and a sentence can be crafted that will address those factors, the hope is that it will have a positive impact on public safety by providing individuals the necessary help to change course and improve their future. Sometimes, though, incarceration is necessary to prevent further or more serious criminal activity.
The court’s role, in my estimation, is to uphold the rule of law. Someone might be unhappy or unsatisfied with the result, but it is the court’s job to look at each matter and apply the law to the facts of the case before the court. When citizens come into court, it creates an opportunity for the public to view the justice system up close and personal, to see where it succeeds and where there is room for improvement, and observe how all of the branches of government and agencies interact as it relates to public safety.
MTFP: The city invested resources in renovating municipal court space to support the department’s future. What are your goals for the municipal court, and how do you see the department evolving?
Dunn: My overarching goal from the beginning has been to ensure that every individual who appears before me leaves feeling heard, respected and treated fairly. That obviously does not mean they necessarily leave with the hoped for result, but I want people to have confidence in the justice system and truly believe that it works for everyone.
On a practical level, the new courtroom space will allow for better time management of the court docket and proceedings. This will mean less waiting time and a more timely resolution of cases.
As far as the department evolving goes, the court will need to be flexible and adapt in navigating the challenges of technological advances. It will need to figure out how to best utilize technology to enhance the quality of the court process. One example of this is how the court is working on transitioning to digital files and filing to increase
