Formal Request for Independent Investigation

Submitted to Laurel City Council — February 10, 2026

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TO: Laurel City Council

FROM: Laurel C.A.R.E.D.

DATE: February 10, 2026

RE: Request for Independent Investigation into City Leadership Conduct

Dear Honorable Members of the Laurel City Council,

We, the undersigned citizens of Laurel, respectfully request that the City Council immediately authorize an independent investigation into the conduct of Mayor Dave Waggoner and Chief Administrative Officer Kurt Markegard regarding the proposed state forensic mental health facility, and take any and all administrative actions the Council deems appropriate to ensure the integrity of this investigation.

Basis for This Request

Recent document releases reveal a troubling pattern:

  1. 1. Unauthorized Communications: On August 22, 2025—two months before Council's "informational only" briefing—CAO Markegard sent detailed proposals to state officials stating he was acting "on behalf of the City of Laurel's Mayor." Mayor Waggoner was CC'd, indicating his approval. This occurred without City Council authorization or knowledge.

  2. 2. Exclusion of Elected Representatives: BOI Director Dan Villa's July 10, 2025 invitation explicitly requested Kurt invite "your respective councils" to facility site tours. Billings brought multiple council members and their Mayor. No evidence suggests Laurel City Council members were invited or informed.

  3. 3. Contradictory Statements: September 30: Mayor Waggoner told media any decision "requires resident and city council approval." October 21: CAO Markegard told Council the state "probably doesn't have to comply with local zoning laws," discouraging involvement.

  4. 4. Unexplained Property Selection: City officials stated Laurel submitted no formal proposal, yet CAO Markegard promoted a specific private property (Miller Trois LLC) to state officials. The selection process has not been explained.

  5. 5. Oath of Office Questions: Montana law requires mayors to represent constituents and promote citizen participation (MCA 7-3-203, 7-4-4303, 7-5-4102). The exclusion of Council and citizens raises serious questions about compliance.

Requested Actions

  1. 1. Authorize immediate retention of an independent investigator with expertise in municipal governance
  2. 2. Direct preservation of all communications and records related to the facility
  3. 3. Take any and all administrative actions deemed appropriate to ensure investigation integrity, including but not limited to administrative leave
  4. 4. Establish a 60–90 day timeline for completion
  5. 5. Commit to public disclosure of findings

Conclusion

This request is made in the spirit of protecting the integrity of Laurel's governance and restoring public trust. Administrative leave is a standard practice when serious questions arise about official conduct—it is not a finding of wrongdoing, but rather a prudent measure to allow for fair, thorough investigation without the appearance of interference.

The citizens of Laurel deserve transparency, accountability, and leadership that places community interests above all else. We respectfully urge the City Council to act swiftly on this request.

Respectfully submitted,

Laurel C.A.R.E.D.