[{"_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",6181457,"mediaKeyId","5112988-83a2ccf60124c4638c220d897b152b38","parentId",5112988,"title","Butte‑Silver Bow commissioners debate city‑county manager and elected mayor","audioSeconds",662,"startMs",3116000,"endMs",3778000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112988-83a2ccf60124c4638c220d897b152b38&start=3116&end=3778","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112988-83a2ccf60124c4638c220d897b152b38/thumbnail_3116000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6181457/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/ButteSilver-Bow-commissioners-debate-citycounty-manager-and-elected-mayor","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181457-f65c21251988854a9b12de446494c837/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197277&Signature=eRtfg8s3IeFVFfSiY2oX~DLLevvi~IoShj3rw7-5nfMRURXOsEFzItDkD5~6~cBMlc03o3eaci2NpkfIuggd9raiJ1wKUTDbLcRnMgXqlu66bBvmcttFZ8dcP7qJ7eic~dA-DMLXuZvzeoVtNqcetE8ree~LxhEe2zr0SZvGh7bGllg-izDcKaDk5MkvJ9x9is~lU9tvSAO~qNi3ho77bi6gQya3mydLBqqNMbxNepPmn6TZKtMxzr8eWQjgF3kwI0n4lb7Rs010JS9auatE3PGCB4ZKv6RA4xA60x0It9qAkSxo5~oNk4N-KmcoalUXIFqAIYIR6jtXF6-7oCODBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Butte-Silver Bow, MT","date","2025-07-01T02:49:01Z","article","Butte‑Silver Bow Study Commission, Butte — Commissioners and residents on June 30 debated whether to replace the current chief‑executive model with a hired city‑county manager and an elected mayor, a change that would require charter amendments and voter approval.

The idea drew mixed reactions at the Study Commission meeting. Commissioner John Morgan, chair of the Council of Commissioners, said a professional manager could “make their decisions based on the facts and not worry about the political pressure” that elected executives face. Commissioner Morgan added that a manager would be “appointed by the council” and could provide longer‑term continuity than an elected official.

Opponents and cautious speakers raised separation‑of‑powers and accountability concerns. Commissioner Dan Callahan warned that changing the form of government is not immediate: “it’s a pretty lengthy process to change your whole government,” and the commission would need to plan how to preserve legislative oversight. Commissioner Matt Stepin and others pressed that any new system must define qualifications for a manager and retain democratic checks.

Other commissioners described tradeoffs. Commissioner William Anderson said a manager could reduce favoritism and patronage, arguing that professionalized administration would be less subject to political cycles. Commissioner Trudy Healy said managers tend to be “trained professionals with experience in public administration, budgeting, infrastructure, and personnel management” and that a manager could provide stability for long‑term planning.

No formal recommendation or vote was recorded at the June 30 meeting. Study Commission members said further legal review and outreach will be needed — including public education and, if pursued, charter language drafted for voter consideration. The commission also noted the process for changing government form can be multi‑year and would include additional public hearings and ballot timelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 30, 2025, Weekly Study Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Butte‑Silver Bow Study Commission, Butte — Commissioners and residents on June 30 debated whether to replace the current chief‑executive model with a hired city‑county manager and an elected mayor, a change that would require charter amendments and voter approval.","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},6181447,"Commissioners and residents flag communication limits, enforcement gaps and charter wording",6267,161000,6428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112988-83a2ccf60124c4638c220d897b152b38&start=161&end=6428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112988-83a2ccf60124c4638c220d897b152b38/thumbnail_161000.jpg","/articles/6181447/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Commissioners-and-residents-flag-communication-limits-enforcement-gaps-and-charter-wording","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181447-c5198328d3381b3b03315aecbad4fc51/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197277&Signature=hYSn93pK9a1TBpCq5awXpv2dji7KhTtLZL7sGXBLdV8ZMPvg9Nz3ud0qHlnLBM1tK5b47nqMt04ERTlZT9OFVWI9kGki1u~GYXOaJmbOAWiuep3rxfLq7-wP6DjRnwHkUEndY5CdVKtjFsqdtcOQphZ0HcJ2RSjIkgh0ONufWsmgwrfeqUm3tO9i3l3eId5MfXtxEO97Dla8aJ3tn~4Pt6QYNyQdc3zM~AFYGWeb8rX5nKMEnznB5Ap28ZR~p2WYEwumc~41czSWej5~wv7k~JdQ0m~fT-fhKJtIEWqKSkbO-Cfkf9Fcc~qH5mllEBlTtFuKlAwhjhl0xH7eZ9~s1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Butte‑Silver Bow Study Commission, Butte — Commissioners and residents raised concerns on June 30 that charter language and administrative practice restrict commissioners’ direct contact with executive‑branch employees and weaken enforcement of local ordinances.

Resident Rick Vanderab, speaking during public comment for the Greeley Neighborhood Community Development Corporation, urged the commission to clarify the meaning of “duties” in the Butte‑Silver Bow charter and called for more systematic channels between commissioners and staff to ensure constituents are served. Vanderab said duties in the charter should be treated as mandatory rather than optional.

Several commissioners described recurring enforcement problems and unclear communication lines. Commissioner Trudy Healy, who framed her background as a neighborhood advocate, described using informal outreach to address blight, junk vehicles and garbage and said stronger, consistent code enforcement and neighborhood‑level support would help. Commissioner Dan Callahan and others described examples where department actions conflicted with council intent: Callahan said a park at Big M had been closed by a department director despite earlier council action and that the parking fund had shown a $200,000 shortfall.

The Study Commission reviewed charter language quoted at the meeting. Chair Raelynn Bridal read section 3.04: “Except for the purpose of inquiry or investigation under this charter or the administrative code, the council of commissioners or its members shall deal with local government employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of any elected or appointed officers solely through the appropriate elected or appointed officer. Neither the council of commissioners nor its members may give orders to any such employee either publicly or privately.” Commissioners said that clause creates practical limits on how they get information from staff and hampers quick response to constituent problems.

No formal change to the charter or staff policy was adopted at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to compile written clarifications of existing staff‑commission communication procedures, to identify enforcement gaps (trash, snow removal, parking and weed control were cited) and to provide cost estimates for remedies so the Study Commission can consider specific recommendations.","At the June 30 Study Commission meeting, speakers including commissioners and a neighborhood representative said charter language and internal practice limit direct commissioner contact with executive‑branch employees, complicating enforcement of ordinances and routine service follow‑up.",{"_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},6181452,"Study Commission hears arguments for fewer, full‑time commissioners and at‑large seats",1233,1715000,2948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5112988-83a2ccf60124c4638c220d897b152b38&start=1715&end=2948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5112988-83a2ccf60124c4638c220d897b152b38/thumbnail_1715000.jpg","/articles/6181452/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Study-Commission-hears-arguments-for-fewer-fulltime-commissioners-and-atlarge-seats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181452-9702f65bdcf74d5f520a14b9245ad4ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197277&Signature=YTuAmvy9k0mI-5fPe9tmQzD2uZF2qhOuzz5rlI2FVuJPkfOlcAAsyelDQMt7zvR6N-HD7LRUfLmHhcxm-bVmtr9FspZzMq1oBEzQB8nBeb7rjsiDfY~LOAE3eDKriOqyRhJEgqqfCdV2S7HrL3osVvbRykas6oncfyKfws9FlnJBYLDVoFMdpdvxsObqizS67l5ZRfLnZg655SxHbr5xOcipFkyasCK6qk4cIrzAtWrQViLJ4ZiiTmwGQa8fxN5bxu2x8LpLYMqFqVR8ez5CJ~9aEurzwRhfr0M5FBxziB36Qc2kN0f~TAlMmd9QTIVr5qSttG065XxfUDXgeSZsNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Butte‑Silver Bow Study Commission, Butte — On June 30 commissioners debated whether reducing the number of council seats and converting some or all to full‑time, salaried positions would improve responsiveness and oversight.

Commissioner John Morgan reviewed current budget figures and said the 2025 budget shows compensation for 11 commissioners at about $103,763 and the chair at $12,569 — a total he estimated would be roughly $116,000 if recombined. “You’re not gonna get 3 full time commissioners at a 116,000,” Morgan said, adding that any move to full‑time positions would require a new salary study and additional budget allocations.

Speakers proposed different models. Commissioner William Anderson recommended a mixed model with district and at‑large seats; he suggested the top at‑large vote‑getter serve as mayor in his proposed plan. Commissioner Trudy Healy said she is “an advocate for full time commissioners” and suggested six full‑time members could better address constituent needs. Commissioner Matt Stepin and others said the community needs a careful cost‑benefit analysis before committing to larger payroll costs.

Several commissioners raised representation and mapping questions. Commissioner Dan Callahan and Commissioner Dan Dennehy emphasized the county’s geographic diversity and the difficulty of ensuring fair representation for rural residents if seats are consolidated. Chair Raelynn Bridal and others suggested outside assistance for redrawing boundaries and noted at‑large seats can concentrate power in higher‑turnout neighborhoods.

No vote was taken. Study Commission members said they would collect additional budget data, request salary comparables from other jurisdictions and include public outreach about tradeoffs in any future recommendation to the Charter review process.","Commissioners on June 30 discussed reducing the number of seats, shifting some posts to full‑time paid positions, and possible at‑large/district mixes. Speakers cited budget implications, representation tradeoffs and mapping challenges for rural versus urban voters.","actionData","errors"]

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Butte‑Silver Bow commissioners debate city‑county manager and elected mayor

Commissioners and residents flag communication limits, enforcement gaps and charter wording

Study Commission hears arguments for fewer, full‑time commissioners and at‑large seats