The Butte‑Silver Bow Charter Study Commission voted Jan. 12 to include a parks and recreation department in its preliminary charter report, advancing proposed section 7.09 for public review.

Commissioner Mary McCormick moved to "add section 7.09 to our proposed preliminary agreement," and Commissioner Cindy Shaw seconded the motion. Commissioner Chad Silk had read the proposed text earlier, which states in part: "there shall be a parks and recreation department, which shall be charged with the responsibility and administration of overseeing the management and direction of the community's parks and recreation services in Butte Silver Bow." The provision would require the chief executive/city–county manager to appoint a department director with the consent of the council of commissioners and direct the council to set qualifications by ordinance.

Supporters said listing the department in the preliminary report will prompt public input and clarify responsibilities. Commissioner Dan Dennehy urged that including the language in the preliminary report would "give us a more thorough discussion of that recommendation if it's in the preliminary report than if it's not." Commissioner Mary McCormick said separate status recognizes the department's responsibilities and provides voters a clear choice.

Opponents warned that naming departments in the charter risks micromanaging future councils. Commissioner Lori Casey said the commission was "starting to micromanage" and preferred leaving structural details to the council and ordinance. Commissioner Ben Thielen argued the commission should gather more public comment before finalizing a recommendation.

After a procedural revote to correct an earlier misstep, the motion carried. Recorded votes: Yes — Mary McCormick, Cindy Shaw, Dan Dennehy, Chad Silk, Matt Stepan, Chairwoman Bridal; No — Lori Casey, Ben Thielen. Cindy Perdue Dolan was excused. The commission will include section 7.09 in the preliminary report that will be released for public comment.

The addition to the preliminary report does not itself change the charter; it places the proposal before the public and frames the language the commission will consider for the ballot and for further comment. The commission said next steps include public outreach and incorporating working‑group input before a final report is prepared for a June ballot timeline.