Butte–Silver Bow commission advances two charter options for volunteer fire departments, drops single‑district plan

Butte–Silver Bow — The Study Commission voted Feb. 9 to advance two options for the county’s volunteer fire departments and drop a proposal to create one consolidated volunteer department.

Commissioner Kimberly McCormick moved to advance Options 1 and 3 — removal of volunteer fire departments from the charter and retention within the charter with clarified authority — and to eliminate Option 2, the single consolidated‑within‑charter proposal; Commissioner Shaw seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The decision came after an hours‑long discussion about governance, taxing authority and public‑safety implications. Chair Rayelynn Brandl introduced a letter from Fire Chief Ed Fisher on behalf of the Silver Bow Fire Council outlining preliminary steps the council would consider if volunteers were removed from the charter.

The document was described by Commissioner Perdue‑Dolan as explanatory, not a new option: “The document is not a new option and should not be considered ‘Option 4.’ It reflects how the volunteer departments believe they would proceed if removed from the charter,” she said. Commissioner Shaw confirmed the redlined language attached to the working group’s materials was intended as potential charter text rather than a separate proposal.

County Attorney Matt Enrooth warned of legal and practical consequences tied to removal from the charter, saying rural fire districts and volunteer fire departments are distinct in law. “The terms are not legally interchangeable,” Enrooth said, adding that rural districts may be volunteer or paid and “each district would require separate voter approval for mill levies.” He said removing volunteers from the charter could prompt litigation over property, boundaries and taxing authority.

Commissioner Chad Silk summarized public‑safety stakes tied to Option 1, saying it would “remove operational authority from the Butte‑Silver Bow government” and require separate taxing districts, which could eliminate the county’s ability to regulate training, operations or accountability for volunteers. Several commissioners pressed for clarity about how transitional governance and funding would work and urged that any draft report include a volunteer transition plan as an appendix.

Members also discussed whether the ballot should include a status‑quo option; County Attorney Enrooth advised that doing so was unnecessary. Commissioners directed the working group to prepare draft charter language for both Options 1 and 3 before the next meeting.

Public comment on agenda items was not taken at the meeting. The record includes an emailed submission from former commissioner John Sorich urging the commission to provide voters with transparent cost estimates and clarification about oversight and training compliance if Option 1 moves forward. The Silver Bow Fire Council’s letter (signed by Ed Fisher) lists tasks it says would need attention if volunteers are removed from the charter, including reviewing legal boundaries, finalizing insurance and financial obligations, negotiating interlocal agreements, assessing taxing and levy structures, and auditing apparatus and facility ownership.

The commission scheduled outreach including a Feb. 25 radio appearance and set the next Study Commission meeting. The motion to advance Options 1 and 3 passed unanimously; the working group will draft charter language for both options by the next meeting.