EBS STAFF
On Monday, Dec. 15, the City of Belgrade will host a community retirement celebration for Russ Nelson, Belgrade’s longest-serving mayor who completed 11 consecutive two-year terms. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Belgrade Community Library.
Nelson began as interim mayor in August 2003 to replace longtime mayor Lee Stevens, and has since surpassed Stevens’ record for duration of service.
“This is going to be tough for me, but it’s the right time,” Nelson stated in a press release from the City of Belgrade. “In my 22 years as mayor, I’ve been thankful that we’ve had councils that work well together. That has allowed for more things to be done in our city. It has made the job more enjoyable. And I’d like to thank the voters for their confidence in me.”
Nelson moved to Belgrade in 1996 and worked in the banking industry for 40 years, retiring in 2024 as senior vice president of First Security Bank.
During Nelson’s two-plus decades of public service, he supported “major” community and infrastructure improvements “critical” to the city’s growth. Public works projects included traffic light installations on Jackrabbit Lane in 2006, and the East Belgrade Interchange completed in 2015. Both improved traffic flow and connectivity at “pivotal” moments in the city’s expansion, according to the release.
He proudly oversaw the voter-approved permanent levy to fund the Belgrade Police Department, and other investments in the Belgrade Community Library and Belgrade Regional Parks, Trails and Recreation District.
He worked with the State Liquor Division to protect Belgrade’s liquor licenses from being consolidated into Bozeman, strengthening Belgrade’s local economy and supporting local restaurants, taverns and hotels.
In addition to his role, he also served the community through the Montana League of Cities and Towns, the Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District and the Belgrade Bandits baseball program.
Former Belgrade City Manager Ted Barkley praised Nelson’s steady leadership through challenging times, including the Great Recession, COVID pandemic and region’s building boom.
“That was a cornerstone of his leadership: his ability to pull through the tough times and take advantage of the good times,” Barkley stated. “It’s not a surprise that he stayed mayor as long as he did. He was good at it and people recognized it; they kept putting him back there. No matter how you measure it, he’s had a really successful run.”
Nelson will be succeeded by Mike Meis, who has served on the City Council since 2020.
