Silver Bow County budget committee approves $1.22M in expenditures; members question demolition grant, counseling contract, youth services and emergency phone

The Silver Bow County Budget and Finance Committee on Wednesday approved an expenditure list totaling $1,222,278.83 and questioned several line items, including a $20,000 demolition reimbursement, a $36,720.42 counseling contract, juvenile detention reimbursements and an emergency satellite phone paid through a public‑health preparedness fund.

Committee members voted 6-0 to approve the expenditure list after a brief period of questions and clarification from county staff. A motion to approve the list was made and seconded; the chair called the vote and announced the motion passed 6 to 0.

The most substantive discussion focused on a $20,000 reimbursement described in the list as a “Demolition project for 303 West Silver.” Ms. Woods, a county staff member who reviewed the claims for the committee, told commissioners the payment was drawn from Building and Code grants and donations and appeared to be a reimbursable grant to the National Affordable Housing…