Judiciary Committee opts to revise existing code, places urban camping communication on file

Butte-Silver Bow County officials told the Judiciary Committee that they will revise existing municipal code rather than draft an entirely new ordinance to address urban camping, and the committee placed Commissioner Trudy Healy’s communication on file.

County Attorney Enruth told the committee, “So we're not drafting a new ordinance. However, I have met with Commissioner Callahan and Commissioner Healy multiple times now. And what we are gonna do is rework the current ordinances that we have. Sean Peterson and I are in the process of doing that, and we do have some drafts.” He said staff expect to meet again after the holidays to continue the work and recommended the communication be placed on file for now.

Commissioner Trudy Healy moved to place communication number 2025-374 on file; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Chairwoman Shea called the question and the motion carried.

Why it matters: The item is the committee-level response to a request from Commissioner Healy to have the council and county attorney look into urban camping on public streets and develop an ordinance. Rather than begin a new ordinance from scratch, the county attorney described an effort to rework current code language and produce draft revisions for further committee consideration.

Next steps: Enruth and staff (including Sean Peterson) said they will produce drafts and reconvene after the holidays for additional discussion. The committee did not direct immediate drafting of a new ordinance at this meeting; the matter was placed on file pending staff work and future meetings.