Council authorizes $17,661 write-off for Business Development Center receivables after debate; vote 9-2

Butte-Silver Bow commissioners on April 15 voted 9-2 to authorize writing off $17,661.28 in uncollectible receivables related to the Business Development Center. The list of delinquent accounts was read into the record and included line items described as legacy-system balances, accounts tied to former tenants (some deceased or incarcerated) and amounts ranging from under $100 to several thousand dollars.

Commissioner Healy and Commissioner Mankins opposed the write-off, asking for more transparency about who owed money and whether the county exhausted collection options; Commissioner Fisher pressed staff about specific entries (for example, a $329.10 Montana State Fund line labeled as an old-system balance). Director Hasler and Director Burns said the county had made repeated attempts to collect (letters, emails, phone calls), that some accounts are in bankruptcy or otherwise uncollectible, and that auditors advised writing off the receivables to close the enterprise fund after the building’s sale. Staff said putting accounts with a collection agency could keep receivables on the books and prevent closing the fund; collection agencies would also retain a substantial portion of any proceeds.

Commissioner Thatcher read the list into the public record and asked that the detailed breakdown be entered into the record; commissioners expressed concern about public naming but also the need for transparency. The clerk recorded the vote as 9 yays and 2 nays (Healy and Mankins). Staff will enter the detailed list into the public record and move to close the related fund.