The Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners debated for more than an hour on Nov. 19 before voting to hold in abeyance a proposed sale of 305 West Mercury Street (communication 202-5570), which staff had recommended awarding to Jeff Riggs and Keith Waring at an RFP-established midpoint price of $450,000.

Community Development Director Karen Burns said staff relied on a midpoint of two commercial market analyses (one by Mike McLeod and one by Charter Realty) to set the RFP price. Commissioner O'Leary moved to deny and place the communication on file, arguing the $450,000 asking price likely short-changed taxpayers compared with comparable Uptown sales and that the county might need interior office space if the government study commission recommends structural changes.

Commissioners exchanged detailed points: some supported sale to spur Uptown investment and put the property back on the tax rolls; others said the county had underpriced the asset, had previously subsidized rents and that the building functions as an enterprise fund requiring special accounting. Director Hassler clarified the property is currently accounted for in an enterprise fund and that proceeds would initially return to that fund and would require liquidation or transfer steps to move to the general fund.

A procedural vote on the motion to deny produced a tie and prompted a brief recess. After county attorney review, the council returned and, instead of approving the sale or denying it outright, voted 9–1 to hold the communication in abeyance so staff can draft resolution language with sale criteria, address appraisal concerns and consider enterprise-fund implications. Commissioner Shea made the motion to hold in abeyance; one commissioner dissented.

No sale was approved Nov. 19. Staff said a formal resolution of sale including conditions would be drafted and returned to the council for discussion and potential amendment before any final transfer.