Study commission recommends four full‑time paid commissioners, includes city‑county manager option with removal for cause

The Butte‑Silver Bow Study Commission voted Dec. 15 to include several major governance changes in its preliminary charter report, adopting language that would reduce the legislative body to four full‑time, paid commissioners, retain an at‑large voting mayor and add a city‑county manager model with a removal process governed by ordinance.

The chair opened final deliberations by noting the commission needed to present a clear preliminary report and a public education process ahead of listening sessions. Commission members then voted, by voice, to adopt three interlinked positions: that commissioners be full time; that there be four commissioners; and that full‑time commissioners be paid. Commissioner Shaw moved to approve four full‑time commissioners and asked the body to "approve the minutes as discussed," a motion that passed by voice vote. The chair recorded one nay on the minutes roll call earlier in the meeting.

Commissioners said they favored full‑time, paid positions because the…