Butte-Silver Bow study commission hears former chair, approves timetable and tentative budget

Former study commission chair Bob Worley reviewed lessons from a 2004–2006 charter study and urged the Butte-Silver Bow Government Study Commission on Wednesday to engage department heads and the public as it prepares charter changes. The commission also approved a tentative timeline for its work and a tentative budget to support outreach and interviews with department officials.

Why it matters: The commission is drafting questions, scheduling interviews with department heads and the chief executive, and planning public outreach that will shape proposals voters could see if the commission recommends charter changes. Commissioners said they want to ensure department heads and the public have opportunities to comment before any ballot measures are finalized.

Bob Worley, who identified himself as the study commission chair from 2004 to 2006, told commissioners the earlier commission placed five items on the ballot and “we passed all 5 of them,” a record he said he was proud of and one he urged the current commission to study as it considers changes to the Butte-Silver Bow charter. Worley advised the commission to invite department heads and other stakeholders to testify and to make materials available to the public, saying, “This is their government, and it’s important that anybody that has a word, that wants to come before you, encourage them.”

The commission heard several administrative updates from staff member Kim Cohn, the commission’s ex officio representative. Cohn said a commission email account had been created (BSBstudycommission@bsb.mt.gov) and that the commission’s page on the city website had been updated. She said staff would publish the commission’s tentative timetable and that the Montana Standard should be used for legal publication and additional outreach.

The commission agreed to schedule interviews with department heads and Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher, who is set to appear at the commission’s March 3 meeting to begin department-head interviews. Commissioners formed a question subcommittee to tailor a list of interview questions provided by MSU Extension and to plan public information and advertising. Commissioners discussed a “gold” training package from MSU Extension that uses credits for timed sessions; staff said they would confirm which package the commission received and whether sessions would be held in person or by videoconference.

On motions: Commissioners voted to adopt the commission’s tentative timetable and to approve a tentative budget to support the commission’s work. Both motions passed by voice vote; the record shows the motions were moved and seconded and approved on the floor but no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The commission also noted that draft bylaws remain pending a legal opinion from the county attorney’s office on proxy voting; staff will ask the county attorney for guidance before the next meeting so the bylaws can be considered as unfinished business.

The meeting included a request from Commissioner Larry Winslow to distribute materials from the Great Falls study commission for commissioners to review before future deliberations. Commissioners discussed public-notice options, including a possible banner on the Montana Standard website, weekly press releases, social media, and local radio. Staff said they will coordinate purchases and legal publication steps with the budget office.

The commission set several next steps: (1) publish the tentative timetable in the Montana Standard and on the commission webpage, (2) confirm the MSU Extension training package and schedule, (3) finalize interview questions through the subcommittee and schedule department-head interviews beginning March 3, and (4) obtain county attorney guidance on proxy voting to complete bylaws.

The meeting closed after commissioners agreed to convene a questions subcommittee immediately after adjournment to begin tailoring interview questions and outreach materials.