Mayor Cole recommends TJ Rogers to serve remainder of Ward III council vacancy

Billings Mayor Bill Cole has selected TJ Rogers as his recommendation for the Ward III council vacancy.

Members of the City Council will vote to approve or deny the appointment during the regular business meeting on Monday, January 27.

If a majority of the council votes in favor of Rogers, she will be sworn in before the February 6 deadline.

Rogers is the operations and house manager for Love & SONshine Ministries, a non-profit organization that provides housing and services to homeless, pregnant young women and mothers in Billings. Rogers also has experience as a freelance journalist, telecommunications manager, and volunteered with the Billings Young Marines. In 2012 Rogers led efforts to pass the ordinance that allows Billings residents to raise hens.

Rogers was among the 13 candidates who applied for the council seat. All candidates participated in a public meet and greet at the library on January 16 where they introduced themselves and explained why they wanted to serve on the Billings City Council.

Mayor Cole expressed his appreciation for the qualifications and commitment of all the candidates. "Ward 3 is fortunate to have so many capable people who want to serve their community. I hope they will stay involved and look for other opportunities to serve."

The seat was formerly held by Denise Joy, who was appointed by the Yellowstone County Commissioners to serve in the Montana State House of Representatives at the beginning of January.

Joy was elected to serve on the council in 2017 and had one year remaining of her second term.

"Our community appreciates Councilmember Joy's seven years of dedicated service to the city and residents of Ward III. Councilmember Joy was a staunch supporter of public safety, our first responders, and underprivileged members of our community," Mayor Cole said.

Rogers will serve the remaining 11 months of Joy's four-year term through the end of 2025. Ward III residents will vote for their next representative in the November 2025 election or in September 2025 if there is a primary.