[{"_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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6231892,"mediaKeyId","3427874-a608550fb05f6f7082aec7601bf43357","parentId",3427874,"title","Study commission approves op‑ed language, vets marketing contractor proposal and plans listening sessions","audioSeconds",206,"startMs",6432000,"endMs",6638000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427874-a608550fb05f6f7082aec7601bf43357&start=6432&end=6638","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427874-a608550fb05f6f7082aec7601bf43357/thumbnail_6432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6231892/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Study-commission-approves-oped-language-vets-marketing-contractor-proposal-and-plans-listening-sessions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231892-184971d49d257caf93e56563806735cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150195&Signature=Jt6hw53GrDqVVpF87-ieCjjXpotpd66RrQI1V7uWsUp~Qt-bd2xs-XrbpoaWH4DzDUuGDPQW~-7ixH2JkGgeiFtqV6h6Vn4ZHKsFBs2JN8dvfWa5dQ8UFuTf-KLXLPcV-vHqhYlOOxRaBf4Wo3NMujDc75IIYIMXQI~SlxKDHwwDyI8puVEVo0rkb9A46DvD7JjfuQei4UPWlMIbmm36vwmKPbInJa1L2G3RBHCwA6zUz-Dwg7fcF5kcynButh1frexRH9n3ile9jwie-g-EsosKRivnnGg8QW4jjfYeqkH9-Y8a6Ru0OfwzP1V3fSEiW4cC0fWv6jNRpCvZvHOm7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Butte-Silver Bow, MT","date","2025-05-21T18:28:20.8Z","article","Butte — The Butte‑Silver Bow Study Commission on May 19 voted to publish an op‑ed that references recommendations to \"local government,\" and directed a subcommittee to meet with the consultant who submitted a marketing and outreach proposal.

Why it matters: The commission must run public outreach and listening sessions before finalizing charter recommendations and potential ballot language. Commissioners said timely outreach is important to ensure broad participation.

What happened and why: Commissioner Dan Dennehy moved that the commission proceed with an op‑ed using the language \"local government\" (to avoid broader legal complications). The motion passed.

The commission also reviewed a written proposal submitted by Adams Consulting (Shanna Adams). Adams was the only respondent to the commission’s outreach request; she offered to coordinate social media, email and local advertising and to help plan listening sessions and larger public meetings if the commission decides to place items on the ballot. Commissioners asked the subcommittee to meet in person with Adams to refine scope and deliverables and to narrow items that appeared to duplicate staff duties (project management and board coordination language was questioned as possibly overlapping with commission staff responsibilities).

Procurement and contracting: Commissioners asked staff to confirm whether a standard county professional services agreement can be used, whether the commission has authority to enter the contract directly or whether council approval is required, and whether any costs can be shared with allied organizations. Staff agreed to confirm with the county finance office and return cost and authority guidance at the next meeting.

Logistics: The subcommittee will schedule a short meeting with Adams to tighten deliverables and will propose dates for public listening sessions. Commissioners emphasized that listening sessions should reach non‑business constituencies and neighborhood organizations, not only business lists.

Ending: The commission approved the op‑ed and directed staff and the outreach subcommittee to finalize contracting questions and a public‑engagement calendar ahead of upcoming outreach events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Government Study Commission May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Study Commission approved an op‑ed that will refer to \"local government,\" reviewed a marketing proposal from Adams Consulting and authorized a subcommittee to refine a public‑outreach plan and schedule listening sessions; the commission also asked staff to check contract and procurement procedures.","taxTitle","Silver Bow County, Montana","taxId",29956,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6231897,"Sheriff says jail overcrowding, staffing and drug/mental‑health crises drive strain on local system",757,6354000,7111000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427874-a608550fb05f6f7082aec7601bf43357&start=6354&end=7111","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427874-a608550fb05f6f7082aec7601bf43357/thumbnail_6354000.jpg","/articles/6231897/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Sheriff-says-jail-overcrowding-staffing-and-drugmentalhealth-crises-drive-strain-on-local-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231897-a1f126e7b260fdba74d5cd554c36d05d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150195&Signature=m4ZhFdxkYseuZ6I0Bk9GwSL9pYGHI6dax-LU2b2nksxJxijkoLKN75aEZCm3rutETxHxYVfQN~gTu6dcj6dvNCH~FWMHdYZ6XUZA8R3I2xQq3HYCVqvHcvh7C-rExiL3-7Xrk6xii-y77LyyL-SC9pMhnuUN5BUArQesEC4ixZh4m2zaPQtzRVIlFpO2TIMN~1~0Nj4FlQSgo~b8HrZoP1W0He0yvz9dAV5jw01Ng9F4TUBTtWsSojVrAs9qoWzB~tXe79lx7MFfomI04XbBlojP0EEp0rEqpVI-wMeGpUeHbUntmPDvMKI2AIszbHW1e-Dt4D6hJubik2LsfpPYhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Butte — Sheriff Dean Lester told the Butte‑Silver Bow Study Commission that the county’s detention center and law‑enforcement operations are strained by jail capacity, staffing shortages and drug‑related crime coupled with mental‑health problems.

At the May 19 meeting Lester said the jail was designed for 72 inmates and that the facility was holding about 35 at the time of his remarks; he also said staffing levels are below authorized strength. \"We have 22 staff when we should have 29,\" Lester said, noting 7–8 detention‑officer candidates were in the background‑check process.

Why it matters: The sheriff’s assessment links public safety, detention costs and staffing pay. Lester said higher pay for detention officers would help recruitment and retention and that the county sometimes transfers inmates to neighboring jurisdictions for capacity relief.

On crime drivers, Lester cited methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine and said co‑occurring mental‑health issues frequently complicate responses. He described the loss of state‑funded case management programs as contributing to instability for some residents: \"We had about 400 and some people on case management here... those folks... fell off the rails because they missed a medication,\" he said.

Lester said the department is pursuing pretrial monitoring options (electronic GPS monitoring, daily check‑ins, urinalysis) to reduce unnecessary detention for lower‑risk defendants and to relieve pressure on the jail. He described regional mutual‑aid arrangements and the role of the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force in building larger trafficking cases.

Other operational notes: the sheriff oversees patrol, investigations, dispatch and the SWAT team, and he described equipment and training needs including drones, body scanners and cell‑phone analysis tools. He also discussed the coroner function; Lester said he does not wish to serve as coroner himself but acknowledged some counties combine the roles and said consolidation could produce cost and staffing tradeoffs.

Lester also provided compensation figures: \"My wage currently is $122,704,\" he said, and he described a collective bargaining structure that groups sworn officers, detention staff and dispatchers into the same unit.

What the commission did: Commissioners asked about detention pay, the potential effect of prison pay on local retention and the oversight of coroner duties. The commission will consider these operational constraints in its review of structures and budget priorities.

Ending: The sheriff urged the commission to weigh retention and technology investments against budget constraints as it frames recommendations on public‑safety organization and funding.","Sheriff Dean Lester told the Study Commission Butte‑Silver Bow faces jail capacity and staffing problems and increasing work tied to methamphetamine, fentanyl and co‑occurring mental‑health issues; he urged attention to detention pay and pretrial monitoring strategies.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6231902,"Newly elected assessor describes certification delays, CPACE and local role in tax administration",131,3691000,3822000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427874-a608550fb05f6f7082aec7601bf43357&start=3691&end=3822","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427874-a608550fb05f6f7082aec7601bf43357/thumbnail_3691000.jpg","/articles/6231902/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Newly-elected-assessor-describes-certification-delays-CPACE-and-local-role-in-tax-administration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231902-2aa4e889c88205526e6698acd5c045c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150195&Signature=TehegfHq1x-qJd3NfeGKuEfLyrVQdXcmmnato-oy8BA6LHYMOH0dt2dOVyfpHpZLPjhCros7XLxpvfa3oOJyPr1NvKfl2ukSEPXFPdxtSizbk-mEg5SnpuJ42q1Ws1N4ydihRH7IpuUifleg-qK8nHtapM0MsC2INsBX0gGlbNdl40bSwfoYfY7TCfzfID8vE-H-iV75sP9NYYHBrjpLDPOtibX-BJFWKnjtgKyHLtBe1DKoU7k7jaCMWJSiEIcBXHtCpLR-T8PkvtN0Tr2LSZVsWG7MhNWQuNXFqhrdy1899yBHVZdr6hWDMvEyEBK2SOFvcfoRA2t1f3b9g-pNBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Butte — Newly elected Butte‑Silver Bow Assessor Tim Cassidy told the Study Commission on May 19 that state changes are delaying the real‑property certification process this year and that the assessor’s office continues to perform many local tax‑administration functions that affect bills and special assessments.

Cassidy, who said he has been on the job about four months, described routine duties including certifying values and levy districts, transferring assessed values to the county billing system and working with special assessment districts. He told the commission that personal property and mobile‑home downloads were completed in mid‑May but that the real‑property download is likely to be delayed because of legislation signed in mid‑May. \"I got a memo today that, I think that is gonna be delayed because of Senate Bill 542 and House Bill 231 being signed into law on May 13,\" Cassidy said.

Why it matters: Certification timing affects tax bills, levy calculations and budget planning for schools and special districts. Cassidy said the Department of Revenue may make post‑certification adjustments that local governments need to track.

Other points Cassidy raised:
- CPACE and TBID: He described two ongoing commercial financing/assessment programs — CPACE (commercial property assessed capital enhancement) and the Tourist Business Improvement District charge on hotel rooms — and said staff ensures those obligations are placed on property tax rolls.
- Special districts and SIDs: Cassidy said the assessor’s office coordinates with the SID (special improvement district) staff on adding or adjusting assessments for services such as landfill, stormwater, garbage, street maintenance, lighting and fire hydrants.
- Public service and outreach: Cassidy said the assessor’s office handles many customer inquiries in person and by phone and will likely field many questions about new rebate programs created by recent legislation.

Cassidy provided compensation information: \"So I am the staff, and it's me, myself, and I. I make $90,260 annually,\" he said. He told commissioners that a deputy assessor position is permitted by charter but not currently filled.

What the commission did: Commissioners asked about communications with the Department of Revenue and about whether the assessor’s local office should continue. Cassidy said the presence of a local assessor provides an option for local review and accountability and noted he sometimes helps assessors in other counties with technical questions.

Ending: Cassidy said he will continue to monitor Department of Revenue guidance on certification, distribute updated values to local governments and prepare to answer public questions when revised assessment and rebate materials are published.","Butte‑Silver Bow’s new assessor, Tim Cassidy, briefed the study commission on certification schedules from the Department of Revenue, recent data downloads, commercial programs and the assessor’s local responsibilities and compensation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6231907,"Civic Center manager warns of succession and facility limits; asks for staffing and HVAC upgrades",0,3310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427874-a608550fb05f6f7082aec7601bf43357&start=3310&end=3310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427874-a608550fb05f6f7082aec7601bf43357/thumbnail_3310000.jpg","/articles/6231907/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Civic-Center-manager-warns-of-succession-and-facility-limits-asks-for-staffing-and-HVAC-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231907-c87dfb6c3b5d39328ce4de363fff2da0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150195&Signature=YUYwAMpmBZfDLVC-1bC6xGSaHwQnTC0jFl4hxJVEX7ryQsCxVKRCu~Ma5ZtPG~njpSDreYAZjpjA7NVvS2af2anor89j68c8G-dHa~1Ao5OtVtxpQKrG6D9rYfa92fDEfZrOOKRhb7KqiqlG7lwPv5Fx7s7unnTARIPIscRjr0qx25GQ9ilgq6GkIw~hB3hT7wb2MvgGrT1GmfJVpZsDPNiGuENcx3300vfGqOZ5YU7vMhVx4RZz3upnLkUe5BNB0Prs32VoRVcCL60WLxMK5~w8EoxQSd2Q3~WBUKCa7f0E-HztW5t8nnkmvwI8oD0bc3A-nTNiDQ8MSKlW3xwnMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Butte — The Butte Civic Center’s long‑time manager told the Butte‑Silver Bow Study Commission that staffing shortages, an aging facility and a planned retirement pose near‑term operational risks and limit the types of events the arena can host.

Bill Melvin, who described responsibilities taken largely from his job description, told commissioners on May 19 that the center handles bookings, prepares contracts, collects rental fees and \"prepares the annual budget for civic center operations.\" He said volunteers are essential but that the facility needs paid continuity: \"I will be totally retired by mid March. The hope is to hire an assistant manager by December 25, 2025, allowing time to train that person and follow with a smooth transition,\" Melvin said.

Why it matters: The civic center is a community hub for sports, arts and conventions. Melvin said limitations on staff and outdated building systems affect the center’s ability to recruit larger concerts and modern productions.

Melvin described critical problems as recruiting qualified staff, budget constraints, storage and keeping up with technology. He urged the commission to consider the manager title be changed to \"director\" to recognize the breadth of responsibilities. \"I asked for that a long time ago,\" he said.

Facility specifics Melvin provided:
- Age and condition: the building has a 73‑year‑old air‑handling system; he called HVAC replacement \"really, really expensive.\" He contrasted that with the backup generator installed in February 2008.
- Event limits: wooden roof trusses and rigging limits have caused some large shows to decline because the engineering limits how much weight can be suspended.
- Upcoming capital items: new scorer’s table, new main basketball floor, sound system upgrades and completion of a parking lot project.

Succession and staffing: Melvin said he and assistant manager Crystal Carlson are the core financial custodians: \"We're the only ones that have the combination to the safe. If one of us two isn't there, the events don't go on.\" He said Crystal currently makes $58,500 and that he makes $92,107.

Costs and program needs: Melvin provided a wish list including floor machines and an HVAC overhaul; he said much of the Civic Center’s work operates on thin margins and relies on volunteers for major events.

What the commission did: Commissioners asked follow‑up questions on staffing, the feasibility of a new facility and the potential role for a paid director. Melvin suggested that a larger campus development (convention hotel + attached convention center) would be a long‑term vision, but said such a project would be expensive and would need a feasibility study.

Ending: The commission will include the Civic Center’s staffing and capital priorities in its ongoing review of organizational structure and facility planning.","Butte Civic Center manager Bill Melvin told the Study Commission the venue faces staffing, aging infrastructure and succession challenges that limit what the facility can host and grow, and urged planning to hire an assistant manager and address a 73‑year‑old HVAC system.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6231912,"Study commission hears mixed views on city-manager switch and moving to six full-time commissioners",2003,232000,2235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3427874-a608550fb05f6f7082aec7601bf43357&start=232&end=2235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3427874-a608550fb05f6f7082aec7601bf43357/thumbnail_232000.jpg","/articles/6231912/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Study-commission-hears-mixed-views-on-city-manager-switch-and-moving-to-six-full-time-commissioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231912-c54161fec3c6c8c23ad758ca1a770599/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150195&Signature=U00dVN3QSFEKQJRNKE6Q~YGOcyHbbKwFcR1tqpKtNwEu4kGJ0uIjO6DMMtNusAOsDl0FF5oK-NTFAWQDwxK5kMItmSHDKvZculxElBzoM6qWw2MkM1A2H003EJJ6EmEewS0GiBqDbtGvBprHUhvRP01SGlrxSg0VTxbX-4RakpEWy1ZU6sjgFuwc7BFPnBTjcClg88spkLUXAndaZzJLPG-PgyoE58upnqepYCtZjJR5BuawxDg1yjI4XAFurZl7zc2o-2isKJPuB0FUhh4sPEovl9K~BmGSxdnmi6pPfkyd7uhtUAVZJSJlAiPirnbF~EinGY1Z6nL7zOqjJXq-QQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Butte-Silver Bow — Commissioners, department heads and public commenters offered competing views on whether Butte-Silver Bow should switch to a city-manager form of government and on proposals to cut the commission from 12 part‑time seats to six full‑time seats.

The debate surfaced repeatedly during the May 19 meeting of the Butte‑Silver Bow Study Commission while department leaders described operational needs and residents urged more active neighborhood coordination. The commission is gathering input as it prepares recommendations on the county‑city charter.

Why it matters: changing the government form or shrinking the commission would alter who makes day‑to‑day administrative decisions and how neighborhoods are represented. Backers argue a professional manager and full‑time commissioners could create long‑term continuity and more staff oversight; opponents said the political accountability of elected executives matters.

Resident public commenter (address given as 2601 Grand Avenue) urged the commission to establish six full‑time commissioners who would act as \"neighborhood community improvement coordinators,\" saying the current part‑time structure leaves neighborhood work unfilled. The commenter said, \"I am calling and hoping that you will include 6 full time commissioners to facilitate neighborhood improvement projects.\" (public comment period)

Bill Melvin, the Civic Center manager, said he sees benefits to a city‑manager model because it can provide a “long term plan that can be followed and not politicized.” He told commissioners: \"If you had full time commissioners, there wouldn't be an excuse. They should be at all that stuff.\" Melvin added he had \"leaned toward\" a city‑manager system in his remarks to the panel.

Tim Cassidy, the newly elected Butte‑Silver Bow assessor, said he \"may lean toward maybe 6 full time commissioners\" and suggested that a city‑manager plus an elected mayor could free elected leaders to perform political and ceremonial duties while a manager runs daily operations.

Concerns and tradeoffs surfaced repeatedly. Melvin and others warned that a professional city manager is not a cure for political turnover because a manager can be removed by elected bodies; Sheriff Dean Lester said he favors the current elected chief executive model because voters know who they are electing and accountable individuals remain visible to the public.

What the commission directed: Commissioners asked staff to assemble these views for further study and to invite additional testimony from current commissioners and other stakeholders. The commission also agreed to bring the county attorney into future sessions to clarify what changes require voter approval versus what can be changed by ordinance.

The commission will combine feedback gathered from department heads, public commenters and elected officials into its draft recommendations before any ballot language is prepared.

Ending: The Study Commission continues to collect testimony and will schedule additional meetings with current council commissioners and the county attorney to refine options and to identify which changes would require voter action.","Speakers at the Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission meeting on May 19, 2025, gave differing views on whether the county should adopt a city-manager form of government and whether to reduce the number of commissioners from 12 part‑time seats to six full‑time seats.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Study commission approves op‑ed language, vets marketing contractor proposal and plans listening sessions

Sheriff says jail overcrowding, staffing and drug/mental‑health crises drive strain on local system

Newly elected assessor describes certification delays, CPACE and local role in tax administration

Civic Center manager warns of succession and facility limits; asks for staffing and HVAC upgrades

Study commission hears mixed views on city-manager switch and moving to six full-time commissioners