Judiciary committee advances property transfer to Riley Global Solutions, holds marijuana and tax-deed items

Chairwoman Shea called the Butte-Silver Bow County Judiciary Committee to order on Oct. 22, 2025, and the committee voted to move a resolution transferring two Montana Connection Subdivision lots to Riley Global Solutions LLC to final reading while holding two other communications in abeyance and approving a tax redemption claim.

The committee voted to advance resolution number 2025-64 (described in the meeting as resolution number 2020Five-six4) to final reading for consideration by the full council. Director Burns of Community Development told the committee the prospective buyer is "a heavy equipment company that is relocating here," and that the transfer relates to a communication the committee approved in July. Commissioner Callahan seconded the motion; the committee voted in favor and the motion passed.

The committee held two items in abeyance. The first, communication 202010, requested authorization for the county attorney to draft a new ordinance regulating the sale and distribution of medical and recreational marijuana in Butte-Silver Bow County; County Attorney Matt Enruth was not present, and the committee voted to hold the communication in abeyance. The second, communication 2025-486, from Butte-Silver Bow Treasurer Laurie Baker Patrick, asked the committee to direct the county attorney to prepare a resolution authorizing retention of certain tax-deeded parcels by the city and county; committee members said they expected the county attorney to draft the resolution and the item was held in abeyance.

The committee also approved a claim for redemption of a tax assignment submitted by Terry Lee Boyle in the amount of $5,899.16. A motion and second were made to approve the claim and the motion passed.

No formal vote tallies by member name were recorded in the committee transcript for the motions to hold or to approve the claim; meeting notes show the committee voiced "Aye" on passage for the motions. Chairwoman Shea said staff would be asked to provide a staff report at the next meeting for the property-transfer item prior to final council action.

Votes at a glance

- Communication 202010 — County Attorney request to draft a new ordinance on sale/distribution of medical and recreational marijuana: Motion to hold in abeyance; outcome: passed (motion to hold). Mover/second: not specified in transcript. Referenced: Matt Enruth (County Attorney) — not present.

- Communication 2025-486 — Treasurer Laurie Baker Patrick request to direct county attorney to prepare a resolution regarding unsold tax-deed land retention by the city and county: Motion to hold in abeyance; outcome: passed (motion to hold). Mover/second: not specified in transcript.

- Resolution 2025-64 (listed in transcript as 2020Five-six4) — Transfer of Lot 1 and Lot 3, Montana Connection Subdivision (Plat 305 A), to Riley Global Solutions LLC: Motion to move to final reading; outcome: passed. Mover: Commissioner Hedy Thatcher (as recorded speaking the motion); second: Commissioner Callahan. Committee requested a staff report from Community Development before the full-council final reading.

- Claim — Redemption of tax assignment, Terry Lee Boyle: $5,899.16. Motion to approve claim; outcome: passed. Mover/second: motion and second recorded; names not specified in the transcript.

Why it matters

The property-transfer resolution, if approved by the full council at final reading, would convey two lots in the Montana Connection Subdivision to a private company that the community development director described as relocating to Butte-Silver Bow, which may have local economic and land-use implications. The proposed marijuana ordinance, if drafted by the county attorney and later formally introduced, would initiate local regulation of medical and recreational marijuana sales and distribution. The Treasurer's request about unsold tax-deeded parcels concerns how the county retains or disposes of tax-deeded land and may affect future land inventories and sales.

What happened next

Committee members asked staff to produce a report for the property-transfer resolution prior to full-council final reading. The marijuana ordinance communication and the treasurer's tax-deed request were held in abeyance pending further drafting or staff action; the county attorney was not present for the meeting. The committee approved the single presented claim for redemption of a tax assignment in the amount of $5,899.16.

The committee adjourned after completing the listed agenda items.