Commissioners heard updates from multiple working groups on Dec. 15 and set near‑term presentation dates and public‑engagement steps.

Fire services: The fire department working group told the commission it has continued conversations both inside and outside Butte‑Silver Bow and circulated a draft direction for subcommittee review. The chair placed the fire‑group presentation on the commission calendar for Jan. 26 and said the commission expects to vote that night if the group is prepared. Commissioner Casey asked that the public be given time to review the presentation before a vote; commissioners agreed to allow listening sessions and a formal public hearing in March.

Coroner: The coroner working group reported outreach to County Coroner Jason Parish. Commissioner Dolan said Parish had received 15 phone calls and 23 emails after his earlier testimony; she asked him to provide documentation to the commission for inclusion in the report. The group is compiling information on coroner qualifications and will present recommendations for how the coroner’s duties might be reflected in the charter.

Superfund, SARTA and CTEC coordination: Commissioners discussed SARTA’s role as a grant/distribution body with several trust funds derived from consent decrees and contrasted it with the Technical Advisory Group (CTEC) established under EPA oversight. "SARTA had seven trust funds," Commissioner Casey said; commissioners agreed the commission should clarify in the draft how SARTA, CTEC and county reclamation work together and asked for stronger reporting relationships in the preliminary recommendations.

Timeline and next steps: The chair reiterated a timetable the commission previously amended: adopt a preliminary report in January, hold public listening sessions in February, hold a public hearing in March, and deliver a final report by July 7 for ballot preparations. Working groups and the county attorney were directed to draft specific ordinance language where needed (for example, manager removal provisions) and to provide materials for public education.

Quotes in context

"I did send a draft to our subcommittee today for review of a potential direction," the fire‑group lead said as a progress update on their work.

"He got 15 calls and 23 emails," Commissioner Dolan said describing constituent contacts to the coroner after his testimony, and requested the coroner provide that information to the commission record.

The commission reconvenes on Jan. 5 with working groups expected to bring refined drafts and presentation materials ahead of the January deadline.