BLDC seeks to reserve a board seat for Headwaters president; commissioners debate representation and appointment authority
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Summary
Butte Local Development Corporation (BLDC) notified the council June 4 of a proposed bylaw amendment to reserve one BLDC board seat for the president of the Headwaters Board. Commissioners expressed mixed views about shifting an appointment away from the chief executive and asked for a future formal communication and cost breakdown.
BLDC Director Kelly Sullivan asked the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners on June 4 to schedule a future presentation seeking council approval of a bylaw amendment that would designate one of the board seats currently appointed by the chief executive for the sitting president of the Headwaters Board.
Why it matters: BLDC and Headwaters are joint-venture partners on regional economic-development activities; the proposed change would formally guarantee Headwaters’ president a seat on BLDC, altering how one of the chief executive’s appointive seats is filled.
Sullivan said BLDC's board approved the amendment to improve partnership alignment; under the current structure the chief executive appoints four seats (the chief executive, the council chairman, an Anaconda ARCO representative and one additional appointee). The proposed change would set that additional seat for the president of the Headwaters Board.
Commissioners debated potential conflicts and balance. Commissioner Fisher said he was concerned the president-of-Headwaters seat would reduce the chief executive's direct appointment authority and create an appearance of overlapping roles; he asked for more detail on BLDC's budget and the county’s financial support before assent. Commissioner Morgan and others said the change was unlikely to dilute county influence on a 15-member board and that Headwaters' voice could strengthen regional cooperation. Commissioner Anderson proposed a compromise preserving chief executive appointments while ensuring Headwaters representation.
The matter will return as a formal communication for council action; several commissioners asked staff to provide the BLDC budget and a written explanation of how appointments would change before a vote.
Ending: The council received the presentation and requested a formal agenda item with a bylaw text, financial disclosure and a clear explanation of how appointments would be made if the amendment is adopted.