BUTTE — The Butte‑Silver Bow Council of Commissioners on Dec. 23 approved amendments to the local personnel policy, scheduled public hearings and a bid opening for Jan. 8, 2025, and voted to adjourn the 2024 legislative session sine die.

Commissioner Shea moved to "approve the amendments to the Butte Silver Bow Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual as recommended by the personnel committee," and the council seconded and approved the motion by voice vote, recorded as seven ayes. The communication carrying the recommendation was filed as Communication 2024‑557. "At this time, I will make a motion to approve, the amendments to the Butte Silver Bow Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual as recommended by the personnel committee," Shea said during the special meeting.

The council also placed on its Jan. 8 agenda a public hearing to amend the FY2024–2025 budget to accept an unanticipated donation from the Steven Tomcich Estate for an animal shelter remodeling project, as requested by Angie Mulligan, public works budget manager. Mulligan's request appeared on the agenda as Communication 2024‑579; the donation amount was not specified in the meeting record.

Mark Neary, public works director, requested council concurrence to schedule a Jan. 8, 2025 bid opening for a 4‑cubic‑yard wheel loader for the roads division (Communication 2024‑582); that item was also held for Jan. 8.

Earlier in the evening the Committee of the Whole was adjourned and the council convened a special meeting immediately afterward. The council then voted to adjourn sine die to conclude the biennial legislative session; Commissioner Shea moved the adjournment and the motion carried with seven ayes and no nays. In closing remarks, Chief Executive J. P. Gallagher thanked the three commissioners who are leaving office and offered appreciation to the chair and county attorney for their service. "I'd just like to again thank the 3 commissioners that are leaving us," Gallagher said, adding praise for the work the council accomplished together.

The items held for Jan. 8 — the public hearing on the animal shelter donation and the wheel‑loader bid opening — will return to the council for formal action during that meeting. The meeting record does not specify the dollar amount of the donation from the Steven Tomcich Estate.