John Engen

John Scott Engen (October 27, 1964 – August 15, 2022) was an American politician and journalist who served as mayor of Missoula, Montana, from 2006 until his death in 2022. Early life and education Engen was born in Missoula in October 27, 1964. He attended public schools in Missoula before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Montana. Career Before serving as mayor, Engen served on the Missoula City Council, worked as a journalist and newspaper editor, and operated a small business. In 2013, Engen and the City of Missoula initiated a legal process to use eminent domain to require the city's privately held water utility be sold to the city. In June 2015, after a 10-day trial, the Fourth Judicial District Court found that the City of Missoula had the right to use eminent domain to acquire Mountain Water Co. The decision was appealed to the Montana Supreme Court, which issued an opinion upholding the district court order on August 2, 2016.