Council approves use of TextMyGov for targeted neighborhood notifications

Butte‑Silver Bow commissioners concurred Sept. 17 to authorize the chief executive to sign an agreement allowing county departments to use the TextMyGov notification platform for localized project and service messages. Public Works Director Mark Neri told commissioners the system would replace paper handouts and allow staff to “click and drag” notification areas for waterline renewals, street sweeping and similar projects. He said the existing Clerk and Recorder contract limits use to that office and the proposed authorization would let other departments inherit a bank of 100,000 pre‑purchased messages tied to the contract. Chief Executive JP Gallagher contrasted TextMyGov with Everbridge, the county’s emergency alert system. Gallagher said Everbridge is primarily an opt‑out emergency tool that can broadcast to entire regions or bounce to tower overrides in life‑safety events, while TextMyGov is intended for planned notifications and is opt‑in. Gallagher and Neri said staff will try to enroll more residents and use multiple channels — website, newsletter, utility bills and outreach — so transient and elderly residents are reached. Commissioners asked operational questions: whether messages would originate from a local number, how the Clerk and Recorder used the system (for election ballot issues), and steps to increase signups from renters and transient populations. Neri said the clerk’s office used the platform for voter notification around rejected ballots and that staff will confirm whether the outgoing number can be a Butte telephone number. The motion to concur and place the communication on file passed 9–0. Commissioners described the tool as useful for notifying residents of localized, non‑emergency work.