Study commission approves amended contract for consultant to continue minutes and report support through July 2026

The Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission on Nov. 3 approved an amended contract with consultant Shanna Adams to provide minutes, research support, technical editing and public outreach related to the commission’s charter review and interim reports.

Cindy Shaw moved to approve the amended contract as presented; Dan Dennehy seconded the motion and the commission approved it unanimously.

Commission staff described the proposed arrangement as covering roughly nine months, through July 2026, to allow the commission to complete a second round of public outreach and to finalize interim and final reports. According to the discussion, the amendment would consolidate some of the ex officio staff duties into a paid contract position; the terms discussed were $4,500 per month with a ceiling of $40,000.

Commissioners asked practical questions about budget authority and schedule. Dennehy told the commission they had reviewed budget authority and believed the commission’s total budget was about $140,000 with roughly $89,000–$90,000 remaining, and that funds were available to cover the amended contract and necessary additional work.

Adams confirmed the proposed contract period and tasks: “This would be for the next 9 months ... through July 2026,” she said, and said she would continue research support, report support and technical editing. Staff committed to upload reports and appendices to the commission website and to provide editable document formats to working-group members.

Next steps: staff will circulate the final contract to commission members, upload report materials and continue coordination with the working groups on drafting charter language and public outreach.