[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6262249,"mediaKeyId","3115703-c7de0df78cdf591a4449023a838ffc83","parentId",3115703,"title","Council places routine communications on file; several items held pending hearings or follow-up","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4682000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115703-c7de0df78cdf591a4449023a838ffc83&start=4682&end=4682","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115703-c7de0df78cdf591a4449023a838ffc83/thumbnail_4682000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262249/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Council-places-routine-communications-on-file-several-items-held-pending-hearings-or-follow-up","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262249-fb6eb55308509f5422ff38b62cae4afd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182632&Signature=BWlMjxwCT47hI9erXT1rityiHEXsU6qy72sWpC3LU97MpsQTHKCNM6PLCSwp8TDIUkh8aZLr0PsWuEvNTGMYGJNSazRzTYIYL1nmWxBf6UkOG3TkYgS3ydt-qhI32EuPZGjArh03XQeHdX9~DuHMw5dpK6SV8YeaXewMXo~~G39SAMUrOFLHo8U2pxr3LxDnzCbB37gCIYS3fq~xmqMCd05Tw9RSliqM-zBf7Dnk9An3dXmMvNahbS66p9YwKle~dlfk-x8DXCMFstCorxCSJquuUpP8zePSg-R0oelkHv42DwCuMiG~BibgReq9eyiSwF4R6ezAL9Ka~vOYvHl4Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Butte-Silver Bow, MT","date","2025-04-25T00:42:54.207Z","article","During the Committee of the Whole meeting April 23 the council considered a routine slate of communications. Several were placed on file by recorded vote; others were held pending future public hearings or follow-up. Where recorded, the clerk announced unanimous 12–0 votes.

Placed on file (motion moved by Commissioner Thatcher and recorded 12 yea, 0 nay in each roll call):
- Communication 2025-155 (state homeland security grant; public hearing previously held) — placed on file.
- Communication 2025-168 (Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant / IAFC Hazmat Conference) — placed on file.
- Communication 2025-190 (HR presentation on self-funded health insurance renewal) — placed on file.
- Communication 2025-191 (presentation by Carpenters Local 82 on tax fraud) — placed on file.
- Communication 2025-193 (BJA Veterans Treatment Court public hearing) — placed on file.
- Communication 2025-207 (hazard mitigation plan presentation) — placed on file.

Held in abeyance (no place-on-file vote recorded; next steps noted):
- Communication 2025-170 (Treasurer request to prepare resolution for mailing tax deed notifications) — held pending adoption of resolution next week.
- Communication 2025-189 (annual reports for URA, HAS, South Butte, TED and Montana Connections TED) — held pending May 7 presentation.
- Communication 2025-201 (budget amendment for Ridgewaters carousel kitty slide replacement) — held pending May 7 public hearing.
- Communication 2025-202 (bid opening schedule for 2025 Road Division Chip Seal Project) — held pending May 7 bid opening.

Each placed-on-file motion where recorded was approved unanimously; where items were held staff noted the reason (pending a public hearing or further documentation) and the clerk recorded votes when applicable.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 23, 2025, Committee of the Whole Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council moved to place a series of communications on file by unanimous votes where recorded and held several items in abeyance pending scheduled public hearings or further action.","taxTitle","Silver Bow County, Montana","taxId",29956,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6262254,"Carpenters' Local urges Butte-Silver Bow to adopt 'responsible bidder' measures to curb construction tax fraud",380,2290000,2670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115703-c7de0df78cdf591a4449023a838ffc83&start=2290&end=2670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115703-c7de0df78cdf591a4449023a838ffc83/thumbnail_2290000.jpg","/articles/6262254/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Carpenters-Local-urges-Butte-Silver-Bow-to-adopt-responsible-bidder-measures-to-curb-construction-tax-fraud","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262254-f97f1f28098009c21dcbc3e53b568b42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182632&Signature=iNBzDRhiesZSAnpUcL2TuaDxSvTGWN6NlDDDUBdlQY-eeJvZIfH5xlWh6ryIKuDxp5WZV014h-jbOw6M~KVyH36ez-PJe3xcVFfgLWdbgQ0tl62mSaVRaUAb5xlAAQFhpNYpbO5sBhDl8MXDClF2P72NOiItSugBmBWffr5d3W2FeiETIucenB8J~n6Tps-puz86Rvnei53SNkLJZSz1UGrQMBYs79SDHDaVUwG-LYjRdW4PH5qVWN1rZF6GcTx1h~gOzQy7fok08tITIQnDwGSvei2AryYwECIe1t6~WFZwEaQmRIKyjFNTlppjOsvVrk1drrRyLSCVoj0sA4k4oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Reddy Frost, political action chair for Carpenters Local 82, presented to the Butte-Silver Bow council April 23 about tax fraud in the construction industry and urged the county to consider a responsible bidder ordinance and related civil-wage-theft measures to prevent worker misclassification and payroll‑tax evasion.

Frost said industry practices such as misclassifying workers as independent contractors and paying workers “under the table” erode tax revenue and undercut law‑abiding contractors. He cited a national industry estimate — “76,000,000,000 has been lost to the American people since 2021 in tax fraud in the construction industry” — and gave an example of a prosecution (Joseph Dicke, Alpine Customs Incorporated) where payroll tax obligations were not met.

Frost proposed several municipal-level tools: requiring bidders on public projects to provide documentation such as apprenticeship participation, certificates of insurance, OSHA training records and prequalification surveys; adopting responsible bidder rules to make it harder for noncompliant contractors to win publicly funded contracts; and strengthening civil-wage-theft enforcement that ties general contractors to subcontractor compliance.

Commissioner Shea asked whether other local governments have adopted responsible bidder ordinances; Frost cited Illinois as an example. After the presentation Commissioner Thatcher moved to place Communication 2025-191 on file; the motion passed 12–0.

Frost said the intent of his presentation was awareness and to encourage the council to consider policy changes when issuing public bids; council staff will consider the request and next procedural steps if the council wishes to pursue ordinance drafting.","Reddy Frost of Carpenters Local 82 described construction industry tax fraud practices and recommended a responsible bidder ordinance and civil wage-theft measures; the council placed the communication on file.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6262259,"Council holds public hearing on $60,000 BJA award for Veterans Treatment Court; no public opposition recorded",4879,181000,5060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115703-c7de0df78cdf591a4449023a838ffc83&start=181&end=5060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115703-c7de0df78cdf591a4449023a838ffc83/thumbnail_181000.jpg","/articles/6262259/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Council-holds-public-hearing-on-60000-BJA-award-for-Veterans-Treatment-Court-no-public-opposition-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262259-ff01295e2c106668dc342457f40ed55f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182632&Signature=Ef9zfXVzmnugMMFZs3ENJy9zpsrXtOlQGhvFJvwoDtkaw1kNAQa~sa-b9LbDAa-qbMcL0aHWh~e0nWOBdmDS8AuQosGEAKghKpltmlUvF57xoXMpt7OVgM6T8tt7e78bPxCMUQ-FcYc3MQMEaUF3tnGXo4mD0X6wFjUtwMD71QRthVYJe4GG-qkog4pa-ZtvY4~q2ZtfIM0R1O~So5dkdU7WN0KxpnQggyn92KtEl6Yeb9MO3tGc2CycQin0YZ7Cr9-iogxrIdU-b9WKx2kWmPdnCoV2g~bvNEjOuZiI9P4GiwBj55PPObZ0RnUsPb5JocK0T42~EOQjNXZgaC2MeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners Committee of the Whole opened a public hearing April 23 on Communication 2025-5193, a request to amend the fiscal year 2024–25 budget to accept $60,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to support improvements to the Butte Veterans Treatment Court.

County Attorney Andrew Anurath confirmed proof of publication for the hearing. Mike Clegg (Deputy County Attorney) was noted in the communication as requesting the hearing; County Attorney Anurath said the matter was time-sensitive and that holding the related resolution in committee could delay receipt of the funds.

One proponent spoke from the podium, giving an address (2000 Roberts Avenue) and saying, in support: “I am a proponent of this. Support our veterans.” No opponents spoke; the chair closed the public hearing.

Commissioner Shea asked procedural questions about whether the judiciary committee’s hold required a motion to reconsider; County Attorney Anurath said the matter was time sensitive and moving it quickly would be prudent. After the public hearing, Commissioner Thatcher moved to place Communication 2025-5193 on file; the motion passed 12–0.

The communication requests the council schedule the necessary steps to receive and allocate $60,000 in BJA funds to improve the Veterans Treatment Court; staff noted timeline sensitivity and advised working through judiciary committee and county attorney procedures to avoid delays.","A public hearing was held April 23 on a request to amend the FY24–25 budget to accept $60,000 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for Butte-Silver Bow Veterans Treatment Court; one unnamed proponent spoke and the communication was placed on file by unanimous vote.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6262264,"Butte-Silver Bow reviews Western Montana Hazard Mitigation Plan annex; FEMA completed review, local adoption planned",1917,2760000,4677000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115703-c7de0df78cdf591a4449023a838ffc83&start=2760&end=4677","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115703-c7de0df78cdf591a4449023a838ffc83/thumbnail_2760000.jpg","/articles/6262264/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Butte-Silver-Bow-reviews-Western-Montana-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan-annex-FEMA-completed-review-local-adoption-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262264-85acf7bf32ab116327a2277cf9433c26/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182632&Signature=TY-XyAhhhI1cMEefGoX9PPnJJBJOGNgb-AKhIw~RGUBUQ6geYqs9To7TUNtBW2hYGRdR2DVjbaZZZu-MqP1ze9ZHkNPCa0zS8~iYybYypzkqRPImJYj7r2NoAt0cOk4qPDuXeAdwk-5GH~argb7ripmCdpsvqJVf9HqapcNiEmOkxgfCXu7fhbVKDtk5xSLMZ6huF4q2kFl0T7Un6DEeYWKtfnlIHHT4hR1W2dHieK91grPdGvCo4rEiqBCoALNfHGPc841-jIk-3Q8163jIwKyE6h9ewnd~FGPAiv-3Ff7VTZlBRBICjfIYn54IGhjhbD-AKb835Zw-yJTU7PdBWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Butte-Silver Bow Emergency Management Director Lisa Carey presented the Western Montana Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Butte-Silver Bow annex to the Council of Commissioners Committee of the Whole on April 23, outlining the county-specific risk assessment, proposed goals and strategies and next steps for local adoption.

Carey said the state divided the plan into three regions and Butte-Silver Bow participates in the Western annex; the Western regional plan is about 456 pages with a 54-page Butte-Silver Bow annex. Carey said FEMA completed its review on April 18 and approved the plan, and the county must adopt the document to remain eligible for federal mitigation grants such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.

The regional planning approach gained consistency and administrative efficiency, Carey said. The plan compiles hazard identification, GIS hazard layers, population and parcel data, and an inventory of critical facilities. Carey described hazardous materials incidents, wildfire exposure and other hazards; the plan identifies three RMP (risk management plan) facilities in Butte-Silver Bow and noted hazardous materials risk near major transport routes and rail lines.

The county contributed heavily to public participation: Carey said Butte-Silver Bow accounted for 49% of the public survey responses for the Western region. The county planning team also recommended county-specific objectives, including fuel reduction coordination with the U.S. Forest Service to protect the Basin Creek watershed.

Carey described regional goals adopted for participating counties (reduce impacts to people/property; protect lifelines and infrastructure; expand public outreach; address equity and socially vulnerable populations; incorporate climate change impacts). She said specific actions in the annex include outreach and training, fuel-reduction projects, coordination with rail and hazardous-materials stakeholders, sheltering and backup generator strategies, and improvements to warning and notification systems.

Commissioners asked whether adoption requires a local public hearing; staff and the county attorney advised checking procedural rules before placing a final adoption resolution. Carey said the plan’s public participation was already completed as part of the regional process and that adoption by the council would make FEMA processes faster.

Commissioner Thatcher moved to place Communication 2025-207 (hazard mitigation plan presentation) on file; the motion passed 12–0. Carey will forward a resolution through the clerk to present the plan for formal adoption at a future meeting.","Emergency Management presented the Western Montana Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Butte-Silver Bow annex; FEMA completed its review April 18 and staff will forward an adoption resolution for council consideration.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6262270,"Butte-Silver Bow hears self-funded health plan renewal; stop-loss change could save about $161,000",1648,411000,2059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115703-c7de0df78cdf591a4449023a838ffc83&start=411&end=2059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115703-c7de0df78cdf591a4449023a838ffc83/thumbnail_411000.jpg","/articles/6262270/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Butte-Silver-Bow-hears-self-funded-health-plan-renewal-stop-loss-change-could-save-about-161000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262270-dbc37ccd18dfda7bab8c6e36d10fea11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182632&Signature=NQo41hVaz6~c-r9D3jngavOsDm-i~asTo7rCN37lwRpphdpNvf~SZOIAaREm4zGzkE5~ePg2w9HJ~BScjS3Q-sDMboW7VrUApTlv3mvSun8fm~KXOKkA1Nb3zIfAba0QOH~ToB2YXbm0X4fcFSpBIvFI5pvfp~vGwtNMSGQbvrjrAoej6ZOUzNF7OowagXDu2JvEKh9AWYTQr-F4qMz-9Dn0IkcDqEGQQJ71b16XJoBO5VT1CPzLvh7JsXVuVUJosZgjOsCRJsYRhMt2NPM9qjaLiTdXbwA6P7zsiy5~Bt5cCZXob2gMRUPsuBbfEx~OM52clZqN9A6rYXvYR8-duQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners Committee of the Whole on April 23 heard a presentation from Human Resources Director Beth Wurm and HR generalist Emily Joan Art on the proposed renewal of the county’s self-funded health insurance for the July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 plan year. The presentation outlined plan performance, stop‑loss proposals, modest premium changes and new digital services; the council placed the communication on file by a recorded vote.

The plan year-to-date funding level stands at 96.1%, with five large claims driving most high-cost spending, Wurm said. About 160 people are enrolled, and 16 eligible employees currently decline coverage, typically because they are covered on a spouse’s plan. Wurm said the broker remains Marsh McLennan Agency.

A major element of the renewal is stop‑loss insurance. Wurm told commissioners that HMIG quoted a 17.1% decrease versus the current stop‑loss provider; she said the change yields an estimated savings of “over 160,000 to the plan.” Wurm said the stop‑loss carrier change would not affect members’ coverage directly.

The county will keep its three plan designs: a traditional plan (lower deductible), a high‑deductible plan with a $3,300 individual deductible (the IRS-required middle‑tier increase from $3,200 to $3,300 was noted) and a $5,000 high‑deductible option. Wurm said the insurance committee recommended standardizing tier spreads across member/employee tiers to make employer contribution patterns more consistent and to increase the employer share for the employee‑only tier to boost competitiveness.

Wurm and Joan Art described two new member services: MDLive for telemedicine and Rightway (a concierge/billing‑navigation service). Joan Art said MDLive would cost about $0.52 per employee per month and Rightway about $5.50 per employee per month; combined, she said, the change saves roughly $1 per employee per month relative to current arrangements. Joan Art also described existing benefits that will continue, including dental and vision bundled with medical, Mutual of Omaha life insurance and the wellness program.

Wurm noted IRS changes for 2025: HSA contribution limits rose (she cited $4,300 for individual coverage and $8,550 for family coverage) and the middle-tier deductible increase noted above. She walked commissioners through expected premium changes and said the committee was able to hold increases to modest levels (examples discussed included roughly 2% on some plans). Open enrollment is scheduled for May 12–23, with in-person sessions May 5–7.

Commissioners asked about historical deductibles, usage reporting and outreach to raise engagement with the telemedicine/concierge services; Joan Art said utilization reports are available (typically quarterly) and that staff will continue outreach to increase uptake.

Following the presentation, Commissioner Thatcher moved to place Communication 2025-5190 on file; the motion passed 12–0.

The HR office will proceed with broker and vendor steps and with open enrollment outreach; commissioners will consider any formal plan adoption or other actions in later proceedings.","Human Resources presented the proposed 2025–26 self-funded health plan renewal, describing modest premium changes, a switch to a lower-cost stop‑loss carrier and new telemedicine/concierge services; the presentation was placed on file by the council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council places routine communications on file; several items held pending hearings or follow-up

Carpenters' Local urges Butte-Silver Bow to adopt 'responsible bidder' measures to curb construction tax fraud

Council holds public hearing on $60,000 BJA award for Veterans Treatment Court; no public opposition recorded

Butte-Silver Bow reviews Western Montana Hazard Mitigation Plan annex; FEMA completed review, local adoption planned

Butte-Silver Bow hears self-funded health plan renewal; stop-loss change could save about $161,000