Council Packet 04-17-2024 Meeting

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2024 Fallon County Growth Policy

Just a reminder that the garbage tubs are for use by City of Baker residents only! We accept household bagged garbage, and if you have boxes these must be broken down and compacted. DO NOT dispose of construction material (lumber, tin, metal, bricks, shingles, sod, or branches etc.) in these tubs. These items may be taken to the container site free of charge.

Grass tubs are for loose grass clippings and leaves only! No branches!

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Baker doesn't share the "Wild West" history of many Montana towns even though the western heritage lives on and is celebrated here. 

Its beginning was in the early 1900's with the coming of the Milwaukee Railroad. Baker's original name was Lorraine, after the daughter of a railroad official. It was renamed Baker in 1908, in honor of A.G. Baker, Milwaukee Railroad's construction engineer for Eastern Montana. 

1908

The town started as a campground because surface springs and  grass were abundant. In 1908, businesses were first established, and the first post office opened under the supervision of Robert Pearce. That year railroad crews built a dam to trap the water from the springs for the steam engines and Lake Baker, now called Baker Lake, was formed. 

1913

The town attracted more businesses and by 1913 there were about 1,000 residents in the town. Agriculture was the economy's mainstay. The population grew as homesteaders settled where large ranches failed. 

1915+

A quiet market town for farmers and ranchers, Baker's fortunes changed in 1915 when natural gas was discovered while a water well was being drilled. 

With the coming of oil production, the town grew. The town boomed during the late 60s and 70s. At one time the population grew to around 2,500 people with over 4,000 in the county. 

Mayor: Steve Zachmann (406) 778-2692

City Council: Pat Ehret, Mike Loutzenhiser, Randy Morris & Nancy Strain

City Clerk/Treasurer: Kevin Dukart (406) 778-2692

Chief of Police: Justin LaCroix (406) 778-2151

Director of Public Works: Rod Morris (406) 778-2713

Fire Chief: Tom Bruha 

City Office

PO Box 1512
Baker, MT 59313

10 West Fallon Avenue

(406) 778-2692

dukartk@bakermontana.us 

Climate

Annual Average Rainfall: 13.9 in.
Annual Average Snowfall: 20 in.
Annual Average Temperature: 44 degrees F
Monthly Average Temperature:
      January: 14 degrees F
      June: 73 degrees F
Prevailing Winds: Northwest

Population

Communications

Newspaper: (Weekly) Fallon County Times

Free Shopper: The Finder

Radio Stations: 960 KFLN & 100.5 KJJM-FM

Nearby Cities

Miles City: 80 mi. 
Glendive: 75 mi.
BIllings: 225 mi.
Bismark, ND: 200 mi.
Rapid City, SD: 215 mi.
Regina, Canada: 336 mi.