Filing begins for city elections

Filing for City Council positions in Flathead County’s three incorporated cities began Monday and continues through July 2.

City elections will be held during the general election on Nov. 3. All council positions are four-year terms.

In Kalispell there are four openings on the council, one in each ward.

The seats up for election, in order of their respective wards, are currently held by Kari Gabriel, Wayne Saverud, Rod Kuntz and Phil Guiffrida.

Kalispell council members receive an annual salary of $5,000 plus a $900 stipend. Council terms run for four years.

In Whitefish there are three council seats up for election. They currently are held by Richard Hildner, John Anderson and Frank Sweeney.

Whitefish also will elect a mayor this year. Current Mayor John Muhlfeld on Tuesday announced he will seek re-election for a second four-year term. Prior to being elected mayor in November 2011, Muhlfeld served six years on the City Council.

Neither Whitefish council members nor the Whitefish mayor receive a salary.

Columbia Falls has three council openings for positions currently held by Darin Fisher, Julie Plevel and Doug Karper. Columbia Falls pays council members $200 per month.

Prospective candidates can file at the Flathead County Election Department, 800 S. Main St. in Kalispell.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com. Reporter Matt Hudson contributed to this story.