Study commission reviews options to shrink commission, add city/county manager; timeline, costs unclear

Butte-Silver Bow — Members of the Butte-Silver Bow Charter Study Commission discussed whether to recommend shrinking the elected commission and adopting a commission–manager (city/county manager) form of government, but said voters would need clear ballot language and the county would face budget and implementation questions if they approve a change. The commission heard a detailed memorandum from Matt (staff member) explaining that moving to a smaller, possibly full‑time commission and a city/county manager would require substantial edits to Article III of the county charter, and that charter language must be precise on responsibilities, staffing and transparency requirements. “If the commission decides to go to a smaller commission, fewer commissioners,” Matt said, “it will require significant change to Article 3 in our charter, particularly if we go to a manager, commission slash manager…