Butte-Silver Bow commissioners voted 11-1 on Jan. 8 to note and place on file Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher's recommended appointments to the Fire Advisory Council, ending a lengthy debate about whether the volunteer, career and commissioner slots should be filled with new members.

The controversy began when Commissioner Mike Morgan asked the council to deny the communication (2025-2) and start over, saying the county had asked for a “fresh” membership but the nominations included people who had previously served. Morgan moved to deny and place the item on file; that motion ultimately was replaced by a substitute motion to note and place on file that passed 11-1.

Gallagher told the commission that under the charter the chief executive makes the appointments after each of the three groups (volunteers, paid department and council) provide recommendations. He said he had asked the volunteer group to reconsider one long-serving member, George Stone, and expected an answer after the volunteers' meeting later in the week.

Commissioner Josh Fisher argued the volunteer company elects its own representatives and said experienced members such as Stone were chosen by their peers. Fisher offered the substitute motion to hold the item in abeyance and send it to the committee of the whole; that motion failed on a 6-6 vote after a separate procedural motion to end debate passed 9-3.

The final action — note and place on file — keeps the chief executive's original communication on the record so it can be reintroduced if the volunteers submit a revised list. The appointments named in the communication included John (Jonathan) Rice, George Stone and Jason Willoughby (titles on the communication: volunteer representatives). The commission did not formally approve the individual appointees at this meeting.

The debate reflected deeper tensions among volunteers, career firefighters and commissioners about turnover, experience and whether the advisory panel should be reset. Several commissioners, including Drew Healy and Jerry Anderson, urged deference to the volunteer election process; others, including Morgan and Kevin Thatcher, pushed for a fresh slate.

The council’s procedural votes during the discussion: a motion to end debate passed 9-3; Fisher’s substitute motion to hold in abeyance tied 6-6 and failed; Morgan’s amendment to note and place on file then passed 11-1.

Meeting minutes show the communication remains on file and may return to the council if the volunteer group submits revised nominations.