[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6154021,"mediaKeyId","5488962-2282a7f5f7b730ac3e92cc611c580402","parentId",5488962,"title","Study commission sets public open houses, frames questions on charter and fire services; schedules Sept. 22 public hearing","audioSeconds",3093,"startMs",1959000,"endMs",5052000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5488962-2282a7f5f7b730ac3e92cc611c580402&start=1959&end=5052","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5488962-2282a7f5f7b730ac3e92cc611c580402/thumbnail_1959000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6154021/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Study-commission-sets-public-open-houses-frames-questions-on-charter-and-fire-services-schedules-Sept-22-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154021-d2b9cba748166679bff1bf1017cd8010/orig.mp4?Expires=1775359820&Signature=JbPcQjspxxZyqwRwFd~~MKo8ZM~iB-4EStqtGX1TjJlZ8tSVoxhJuTCWo8enS3qLVTMp3-TIkOgwNMehyLaEH04yYVk8tK-jfKwSW~Vg0qGaAxrkJIzJB3cxBPhb6hpz05wZt1Thff2gVdERRxs5CuLnZP41OPNcF3SGpbLGeXWbWrPdnuydCLLKqq94wer4jl0Pd5EQhsAMHfjU655EXH1ilP1BXMGv0xOuv8~l75wm1wi3MmlYBlUTQmgp99LX3~038jxqV5JzFlYpE8j7WCxTEga~JlCm9sPLbg3Kr0~bFKA-qGlr6ng22yGuxikMys0OlMpBB3OC9MSua7~5Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Butte-Silver Bow, MT","date","2025-07-29T01:27:06Z","article","Shanna Adams, staff for the Local Government Study Commission, presented draft outreach materials and a proposed open-house format at the commission’s July 28, 2025 meeting. Commissioners reviewed a draft tri-fold flyer, an online survey and a plan to run ‘‘stations’’ at open houses covering: an overview of the commission’s work; form and structure of government; fire services; the commission’s role and next steps; and an ‘‘other topics’’ station for miscellaneous input.

Adams said the open-house format would allow residents to arrive anytime during a two-hour window and visit staffed stations or leave written comments. The commission discussed location choices and timing and agreed to advertise broadly via the county website, social media, local radio, local business groups and flyers. Adams said a QR code linking to an electronic survey could be available at the first open house if commissioners submit survey edits promptly.

Commissioners debated how to handle the contentious issue of fire services—whether to provide structured background and panels of paid and volunteer fire representatives or to keep the event more open. Several commissioners argued for an explanatory board that lays out options (for example, maintain current charter language, create an independent fire services structure, or clarify budgetary authority). County Attorney Matt Enruth explained that state law and charter language affect how volunteer fire districts and career (paid) departments may be structured; he advised that the charter must be explicit if the county wants a single department or different budgetary authorities. Commissioners discussed inviting representatives from Anaconda-Deer Lodge (an example cited in meeting discussion) to describe their model.

After discussion the commission agreed on an initial schedule of public events and a formal public hearing date. Commissioners expressed a preference for evening open houses for the first two sessions to maximize attendance and to place a noon event at a later session targeted to campus or daytime audiences. The meeting recorded these target dates and locations on July 28: an open house in Melrose on August 7, an open house in Butte on August 12 (tentative), a work session on August 18, an open house at the emergency operations center (EOC) on August 26, and a formal public hearing on September 22, 2025. Staff said they would confirm dates and spaces and finalize flyer text and the survey for online distribution.

Commissioners also debated who should staff the fire-services station. Some members said having knowledgeable representatives at that station was necessary to answer detailed questions; others warned that participants paid by the county could create a perception of bias. Several commissioners suggested having both paid and volunteer representatives and simplifying handouts so attendees without technical background could read key options in 10–20 minutes.

No ordinance or charter changes were adopted at the meeting. The commission concluded by directing staff to finalize outreach materials, prepare comment forms and QR-survey links, post the open-house notices in the same manner as regular meetings, and gather written responses at the events for later deliberation and possible recommendations to the council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 28, 2025 - Local Study Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a series of public open houses to gather community input on charter form and structure and on the organization of fire services, discussed outreach materials and survey timing, and agreed to schedule a formal public hearing for Sept. 22, 2025.","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},6154026,"Butte-Silver Bow probation officers describe growing caseload, ask study commission to consider independent office",1356,285000,1641000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5488962-2282a7f5f7b730ac3e92cc611c580402&start=285&end=1641","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5488962-2282a7f5f7b730ac3e92cc611c580402/thumbnail_285000.jpg","/articles/6154026/Silver-Bow-County/Montana/Butte-Silver-Bow-probation-officers-describe-growing-caseload-ask-study-commission-to-consider-independent-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154026-e144c731d39d6f38cde924ce7b922bce/orig.mp4?Expires=1775359820&Signature=PPpfG3LDGxcsYLsiPDjRmy0IlXWIu-FNftSflLRmWMakwqgeaWTypQYBtGYYDXAWB67XZj3JvYODAvqbZ58UnNOfikQbbs~4YaqpC9PehXyslEzjvwfxhHp20dtZ4v6elc6cuCYaHOvShhGmyccWUNERttN-yqfQ2GTfOcOrQMHhqFkekZy8SH8E4vWL8m91kTp29GPX8P-b0wyOsqaCgWMhu3XmiOevIz5UtlJ4z8Zep87AsQf8ObloBlQKFF5jUVsrf2ws6JUEWUMyzdkFC5UZ0KYSYAF16iTwaULm8BT1o2ZJvyiAGnB6D7bK9PF2lat7uiNkjC2Ivqgc2skmQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike, a misdemeanor probation officer, told the Butte-Silver Bow Local Government Study Commission on July 28, 2025, that the county’s misdemeanor probation program has grown since it began in 2010 and now supervises roughly 80–100 people across two officers.

The officers described probation as a court-ordered alternative to incarceration that emphasizes supervision, rehabilitation and restitution. “It’s typically ordered by a judge at the time of sentencing as an alternative to incarceration,” Mike said, adding that probation “is designed to promote public safety while providing the probationer with an opportunity for rehabilitation.” Rachel, also identified in the meeting as a misdemeanor probation officer, described the program’s community-service work, saying the office coordinated about “700 to 750 ish hours” last year with partners including the food bank, Butte Cares, the rescue mission and animal shelters.

Commissioners focused on two recurring issues: (1) staffing and resources, and (2) the program’s organizational placement under city court. Several commissioners, including Ben Thelen and Dan Dennehy, asked whether adding a third probation officer would ease caseload pressure; Mike and Rachel said an additional position would “more likely” help. County Attorney Matt Enruth (referred to in the meeting as Mr. Enruth) said many counties treat misdemeanor probation as a separate county-level office and recommended the program become an independent department to avoid any appearance that probation “works for” the court or county attorney’s office. Enruth also said the probation officers produce report writing and notifications to his office about violations, increasing workload beyond supervision.

Officers and commissioners also discussed operational challenges: transportation for community service participants who lack driver’s licenses or insurance; equipment needs (for example, commercial-grade lawn tools); limited winter community-service options because of snow; and the prevalence of mental-health and substance-use disorders among people on probation. Mike said many probationers have diagnosed or undiagnosed mental-health conditions and noted a lack of local behavioral-health resources to which officers can refer people.

Commissioners pressed staff on whether the probation office’s placement under city court was statutory or budgetary. The officers said the office was created in 2010 and has been funded under city court; Enruth and others said the ordinance (cited in discussion as section 2.18 0.01) creates an office of misdemeanor probation but does not require it be placed under city court. Commissioners discussed options the study commission could forward to the council: changing the ordinance to place misdemeanor probation in a county budget line, creating an independent county probation department, or leaving the current funding arrangement in place but seeking additional staffing and equipment.

No formal action or vote on reorganization occurred at the meeting; commissioners suggested a supplemental report and recommended the study commission consider a formal recommendation to the council to change the ordinance and budget placement. Several commissioners asked staff to provide additional information about budgets, comparative county models, and the specific ordinance language that places the office under city court.

The commission closed the probation discussion by thanking the officers for the presentation and asking staff and the county attorney to follow up on the ordinance, budget options and resource needs.","Misdemeanor probation officers briefed the Butte-Silver Bow Local Government Study Commission on their duties, community-service work and resource gaps, and commissioners discussed whether the office should be moved out of city court into an independent county department.","actionData","errors"]

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Study commission sets public open houses, frames questions on charter and fire services; schedules Sept. 22 public hearing

Butte-Silver Bow probation officers describe growing caseload, ask study commission to consider independent office