[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6218833,"mediaKeyId","3624647-214fb22a9a5ab5366460bde675762062","parentId",3624647,"title","Consultant presents three-month outreach plan; professional services agreement to go before commissioners June 18","audioSeconds",275,"startMs",5207000,"endMs",5482000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624647-214fb22a9a5ab5366460bde675762062&start=5207&end=5482","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624647-214fb22a9a5ab5366460bde675762062/thumbnail_5207000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6218833/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Consultant-presents-three-month-outreach-plan-professional-services-agreement-to-go-before-commissioners-June-18","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218833-1945d41729663a8ad68c062c77229e48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150024&Signature=jmhxtOxUX3TwAZhfxPKihw3n4zejuc1PFh6GxL9HY7TDUsYvjPoLjBre3NzAzBPXk1M~7dEjbJV20d7AHsFOnN6jTrxEhaqjepHrf9keqczuJ8DcCY9EOTBkdT79aQL3c1WD0P7B9J32jSVH3HdzUq0JYlSJYwfz3MKwaa4K9Rfh0pZ75e2Yb4bvPAzHxn~IlydQaD7SKSKoVanPwbWUa4DOxw~FHRLGceStMpTPrnquMY44zmFmr3iaagi-wKycgukXzivQjDS1qpqbAtddwo6odYl2Oiz1GzMVoQCCz1ppqpcLXXRqujuxMKhIGlK1TXg6QCqf2jWlkeeek7UvNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Butte-Silver Bow, MT","date","2025-06-03T10:29:59.747Z","article","Communications consultant Shanna Adams told the study commission she has converted her scope and fee into a professional services agreement and will present it to the county commissioners for approval on June 18. \"My scope and fee has been turned into a professional services agreement. This is the county template. This will go before the county commissioners on the June 18 for approval,\" Adams said.

Adams gave commissioners a draft calendar for June, July and August that includes print media, social media posts, radio and podcast placements, multiple listening sessions, public meetings and meetings with civic groups. She offered to distribute a PDF of the calendar and cross-reference it with her original proposal for commissioners to review by email.

Why it matters: The commission is conducting a charter review that depends on public engagement and informed feedback. Adams’ timetable places outreach during principal summer months when the commission has scheduled listening sessions and commissioner visits.

Next steps and action: Adams said she would email the PDF calendar and highlight key dates and questions for the commission to consider. The commission agreed to review the calendar during the following week and to send questions directly to Adams by email. The professional services agreement was reported as scheduled for review by the Council of Commissioners on June 18; the commission has not yet taken a vote on contracting with Adams.

Discussion vs. decision: Commissioners praised the design and asked that the outreach appear in multiple local outlets. No procurement decision was made by the study commission at the meeting; Adams’ contract will be handled through the county’s contracting process and is pending county-commission approval.

Ending: Adams said she plans to attend Monday meetings while the outreach is under way and will respond to emailed questions; commissioners asked staff to circulate the draft timeline and to prepare follow-up questions for consideration before the county-commission vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 2, 2025, Government Study Commission","oneSentenceSummary","Communications consultant Shanna Adams said her scope and fee have been turned into a professional services agreement and outlined a June–August outreach calendar that includes print, social media, radio, podcasts, listening sessions and civic meetings.","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},6218838,"Study commission seeks clarity on volunteer fire department authority after attorney general guidance",462,5990000,6452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624647-214fb22a9a5ab5366460bde675762062&start=5990&end=6452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624647-214fb22a9a5ab5366460bde675762062/thumbnail_5990000.jpg","/articles/6218838/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Study-commission-seeks-clarity-on-volunteer-fire-department-authority-after-attorney-general-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218838-50585c8887d71b69c09cbcfbd3a150ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150024&Signature=adwhOV8iBHjgMtElKTWecoC3~9xhihHzmvWQWc-CnjWr1SIrO9yxBGQF5sqXFU~SLBSg-SwgsVXqUqPHhj9D73-c4qqn2PYru626uJSjL~zbPP9Cm~WzTWalpsFlXFM63w177joww5eDd1Qw2BlYJpzlgU5QFpKZGp8o53F24pd~K9t~cEK2~5vdnuQHSrmUsxoNWR2X~D~4PSC4ol5TnPo1xSdZ0jKt3nC6Yalsi4TCSr6YzaM9GUf9nV8ayWFwZtScGCOa7gLGIh6ig2CuqRYyyIHsCt~ccc46zJAJrZtpFUdZZVAuKJBnzN3F55uBR5oqynpKFDAuwZrzpuh~ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The study commission moved to probe a long-standing question about the governance of paid and volunteer fire services after County Attorney Matt Enruth said a past attorney general opinion limits the effect of a local ordinance when the charter lacks explicit authority.

Enruth told the commission that an attorney general opinion from the 1970s and later statutory language require matters affecting volunteer fire departments — notably budgetary authority — to be set in the charter. \"The attorney general's opinion specifically states that because it's not contained in the charter and state law requires it to be contained in the charter, that the ordinance doesn't have any any effect over the volunteers ['] budgetary authority,\" Enruth said.

Why it matters: The question affects who sets volunteer departments’ budgets, whether trustees may levy special mills, and how paid and volunteer services coordinate. Commissioners said the issue has practical budget and operational consequences for local fire coverage and levy authority.

Background in the meeting: Commissioners and staff identified a 1996 Butte-Silver Bow ordinance and cited earlier attorney general guidance (1970s/1979) as key documents. Enruth said the county has been operating under an ordinance that assigns duties and budgets to the director of fire services, but the attorney general guidance suggests volunteer trustees retained specific budgetary powers. The meeting noted that House Bill 547, which would have affected related language, was vetoed by the governor, leaving the statutory and charter questions unresolved.

Follow-up steps: Commissioners asked county staff to compile the relevant ordinances, statutes and attorney general opinions and to invite knowledgeable local witnesses. The commission agreed to request historical context and technical advice from former Director of Fire Services Jeff Miller and planned to have the current director of fire services attend a future meeting to explain operations and to bring the relevant legal opinions.

Discussion vs. decision: The meeting recorded a discussion and a request for additional documentation and expert testimony. No ordinance or charter change was adopted at the session; commissioners asked staff and counsel for a written memo explaining the legal relationships among charter language, ordinance practice and the attorney general opinions.

Ending: The commission scheduled follow-up briefings and a likely session with Jeff Miller to establish the historical record and inform any charter or ordinance amendments.","Commissioners and County Attorney Matt Enruth discussed conflicting language between a 1996 Butte-Silver Bow ordinance and state law/attorney general opinions over volunteer fire departments' budget authority and scheduled follow-up briefings to clarify responsibilities and potential charter fixes.",{"_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},6218843,"Butte-Silver Bow county attorney warns of heavy caseload, staffing gaps and recommends structural review",4206,682000,4888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3624647-214fb22a9a5ab5366460bde675762062&start=682&end=4888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3624647-214fb22a9a5ab5366460bde675762062/thumbnail_682000.jpg","/articles/6218843/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Butte-Silver-Bow-county-attorney-warns-of-heavy-caseload-staffing-gaps-and-recommends-structural-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218843-f8fc77a1d991cb497ac61e99b77c98e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150024&Signature=gVIkXt6GDYEWS~56JKOiq-nwuILYmF~eNJcPJcZGMBeTsIiqafkbkB2kKRAccr5oG5Was84frAtnfWrHncmdhJxggldhMbpNg3oeXWbfrMpmbpDZa49EIi84E~qw9830x5xDg~HCJ4PeZE5U5N8nYOs2zroHxpkvhidMhTsgB7F6SjyGTWcywM2i055LIzmqVCnp9bZuLv9YjzX0vsHltAoYzsx2puaXyHGKK2aLtnik1HpZ7JPqSSc2f3aUQ5WSwKxISzbhd4GjC9oD8C~RxgohG~P-49F5Mj7fSLZcuclnL9VuxNaPnxTyYSX7mJktYFfa0WRGQUpjQZrRAxNI4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Butte-Silver Bow County Attorney Matt Enruth told the study commission that his dual role as both the City of Butte and county attorney leaves his office stretched thin and grappling with a high volume of crime and limited staff. \"I am the Butte Silver Bow County Attorney. I have a dual role. I am the City Of Butte's Attorney and the county attorney,\" Enruth said.

Enruth said the office prosecutes “about 400 felonies a year and over 2,000 misdemeanors a year,” and described recruitment difficulties for entry-level attorneys. He told commissioners the current open county attorney position, listed at about $93,000 a year, had attracted no applicants in three weeks. \"I have had 0 applicants in 3 weeks,\" he said.

Why it matters: Enruth told the commission the caseload and staff shortages affect court calendars, the handling of major crimes and social-service matters (dependent-neglect and involuntary commitments) and can strain victim services. He urged the study commission to consider whether government reorganization or added positions would improve service and legal coverage across city and county responsibilities.

Major duties and caseload: Enruth reviewed the office’s duties — advising elected officials and department directors, drafting ordinances and contracts, defending lawsuits, prosecuting criminal cases, handling dependent-neglect and involuntary commitment proceedings and supporting specialty courts (DUI, veterans, family drug court). He also noted the office operates a victim-advocate position that helps with temporary protection orders and victim contact.

Causes and capacity: Enruth attributed part of the higher crime volume to Butte’s geography and services: the intersection of I‑90 and I‑15, which he described as a national trafficking corridor; a pre-release center that concentrates parolees and probationers in the community; and local business types that can attract transient populations. He said those factors, combined with a statewide shortage of attorneys and evolving statutory responsibilities placed on counties, result in greater local demand for prosecutors.

Staffing and pay: Enruth gave specifics on current pay and staffing: he said his own salary is $138,000 a year; the chief deputy makes about $120,000; deputies are at roughly $111,000; paralegals/legal assistants earn about $50,000; and the victim-witness advocate is roughly $60,000. He said paralegals in his office are “underpaid” relative to local private firms and urged higher pay for those positions. He also noted the county pays an outside contractor for dependent-neglect cases at about $120,000–$125,000 a year and said that contract does not fully cover required staffing.

Recruitment challenges: Enruth said competition from private-sector remote work and other government positions, plus the court and criminal work’s hours and stress, make hiring difficult. He said some neighboring openings that offer fewer duties or better pay still fail to attract candidates: \"It's just the bar in the state of Montana is our major problem right now. We just don't have the attorneys.\"

Organizational options discussed: When asked what would help, Enruth said there are two main choices: hire more attorneys and paralegals within the existing combined county attorney office, or consider separating city and county legal functions. He described the legal and practical complications of creating a separate city attorney within a consolidated city–county government and said expanding in-house staffing may be the more practical option. He also recommended the commission examine broader governance changes — including a smaller, full-time commission, a mayor/city-manager style government and staggered six-year commissioner terms — to build institutional knowledge and administrative capacity.

On related budget and corrections issues: Enruth discussed jail staffing and local corrections pay, noting pay competition from proposed state facilities and the importance of being competitive to retain staff. He said that while a women's prison might bring jobs, he did not expect it to create a workload that would force his office to open a new department; prosecution of in‑prison crimes typically falls first to the state attorney general’s office.

Discussion vs. decision: Commissioners asked multiple follow-up questions; Enruth provided recommendations and agreed to prepare memos on legal and procedural points when asked. No formal policy or budget decisions were made during the meeting; commissioners requested follow-up information and pledged to continue the conversation.

Ending: Enruth offered to return to the commission for further briefings and to provide written answers and memos as the study commission refines possible charter changes and staffing proposals.","County Attorney Matt Enruth told the study commission his office handles roughly 400 felonies and more than 2,000 misdemeanors a year, is short on prosecutors and support staff, and suggested exploring government-structure changes or additional county attorney staffing to ease workload.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Consultant presents three-month outreach plan; professional services agreement to go before commissioners June 18

Study commission seeks clarity on volunteer fire department authority after attorney general guidance

Butte-Silver Bow county attorney warns of heavy caseload, staffing gaps and recommends structural review