Butte Silver Bow appoints Chris Melgi as new fire department captain

Butte-Silver Bow County took significant steps towards enhancing transparency and community safety during its regular meeting on February 19, 2025. A key highlight was the approval of an open records request aimed at improving access to public documents, a move that local resident John Slickmeyer strongly advocated for. Slickmeyer emphasized the need for transparency, citing past difficulties in obtaining a complete dangerous buildings list, which he described as both time-consuming and costly. The approval of this request is expected to streamline access to important records, fostering greater accountability within the county government.

In addition to the transparency initiative, the meeting also featured the appointment of Chris Melgie as captain of the Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department. Melgie, who excelled in a rigorous promotional process, brings 15 years of experience and a strong educational background to his new role. Fire Chief Zach Osborne praised Melgie's leadership skills and commitment to the department, highlighting his contributions to training and technical rescue operations. The unanimous approval of Melgie's appointment reflects the county's commitment to maintaining a skilled and effective fire service.

The meeting also included a brief report from the Chief Executive, who encouraged open communication between the public and county officials. He reassured residents that they could seek clarity on any issues directly from him or department heads, emphasizing the importance of a safe and clean community.

Overall, the decisions made during this meeting are poised to enhance public trust and safety in Butte-Silver Bow, setting a positive tone for future community engagement and governance.