Butte-Silver Bow study commission forms working group after heated public debate over volunteer fire departments

The Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission authorized a three-member working group to research charter language and other legal and fiscal questions tied to the county—s fire services, following more than two hours of public testimony from career and volunteer firefighters and residents.

The working group—s charge, approved by voice vote near the Nov. 10 meeting—s end, tasks volunteers Cindy Perdue Dolan, Ben Thielen and Matt Stippen with mapping fire-district boundaries, reviewing prior studies and attorney general and court opinions, and analyzing taxing and equipment-ownership implications before the commission drafts any ballot language or charter changes.

Why it matters: The debate centers on whether volunteer fire districts should remain referenced in the Butte-Silver Bow Charter or be treated as independent districts under state law, and what that change would mean for taxes, equipment, training and legal liability. Speakers from both sides told commissioners…