Laurel Mayor Faces Recall Amidst Controversy Over Forensic Mental Health Facility

Laurel, Montana Mayor Dave Waggoner is facing a recall petition as the city grapples with the planned construction of a 32-bed state forensic mental health facility. The controversy centers on transparency concerns regarding the decision-making process and the potential impact of the facility on the community.

Initial Discussions and Lack of Transparency

Mayor Waggoner and City Chief Administrative Officer Kurt Markegard engaged in discussions with the Montana Board of Investments (BOI) as early as July 2025, leading up to the November announcement of the facility’s location. Yet, Waggoner admitted to sharing limited information with the city council during these conversations. “We never did get any information that we wanted. We constantly asked them. The only thing we got was 32 beds and 100 to 130 jobs,” Waggoner stated in a recent interview.

Markegard drafted a letter to the BOI a week before the public announcement, outlining a potential land annexation process. Waggoner approved the letter, but it was not shared with the city council. The letter indicated that Laurel had not actively sought the facility but detailed how the state could proceed with acquiring land.

Concerns from Residents and the Recall Petition

The announcement of the facility sparked significant opposition from Laurel residents, who have voiced concerns about the lack of infrastructure to support the facility, its proximity to Laurel Elementary School, and potential negative impacts on property values as reported by Montana Free Press.

In response, a group of residents initiated a recall petition against Mayor Waggoner, alleging that his health issues – a stage four prostate cancer diagnosis received in November – have impaired his ability to fulfill his mayoral duties. Waggoner refuted these claims, stating he remained actively engaged in his responsibilities despite undergoing treatment and missing a couple of city council meetings. “I was in contact with all my staff every day… I met my ability to do my job,” he said in the interview.

Legal Challenges and Future Outlook

Waggoner has indicated his intention to fight the recall petition in court, arguing that a special election would impose an unbudgeted financial burden on the city. He believes the recall effort is politically motivated and could jeopardize the city’s legal standing regarding the facility. Waggoner also noted that voicing a definitive opinion on the facility could expose the city to legal repercussions. “Otherwise, it could be deemed that we made the decision before the annexation request was even set in,” he explained.

The situation remains fluid as the recall petition progresses and the state moves forward with plans for the forensic mental health facility. The community remains deeply divided, and the future of the project, and potentially Mayor Waggoner’s position, remains uncertain.