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Butte-Silver Bow approves $183,974 emergency transfer to support food programs after SNAP disruption
Summary
The council adopted an emergency resolution to transfer $183,974 from reserve funds to support local food providers after a disruption to SNAP benefits; chief executive said funds will not be assessed to taxpayers and will be used for food banks and community pantries.
Chief Executive Gallagher on Wednesday said he issued a proclamation of emergency and the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners voted to appropriate $183,974 from reserve funds to help local food providers respond to an announced disruption in SNAP benefits.
The council adopted Resolution 2025-67 under an emergency suspension of the rules and placed it on final reading and passage at the Nov. 5 meeting. The motion to suspend the rules to add the resolution passed 11-0; the final vote on the appropriation was recorded 11-0.
Gallagher said the appropriation is “equivalent to the 2 mills” but stressed the amount will be drawn from reserve funds rather than assessed to taxpayers. “It will not be assessed to anybody, taxpayers. It's we will be drawn from our reserve funds,” he said, adding that the funds are intended to support the food bank, the Butte Rescue Mission and other community pantries that help households affected by the benefits disruption.
Why it matters: SNAP benefits are a primary food assistance source for many households. Gallagher said the county sought to act quickly to provide a local safety net while federal and state processes play out. He told commissioners the proclamation followed conversations with community partners and his office’s assessment of local needs.
What the council did: The council formally suspended its rules to add the resolution to the agenda, then placed Resolution 2025-67 on final reading and approved it under the emergency procedure. The resolution authorizes the transfer and appropriation of $183,974 to the FY2026 budget from the county reserve fund.
Context and next steps: Gallagher said local partners will determine distribution priorities and that the spending will be administered from reserves “for times just like this where we can help the community and help people in need.” The resolution does not change the tax levy; it reallocates reserve dollars for immediate assistance.
Who said what: Chief Executive Gallagher described the proclamation and the county’s rationale. Commissioners commended the action during debate before voting to approve the emergency appropriation.
The council also noted it had received outreach from community organizations and that the county’s public‑private partners would be involved in distributing the assistance.
