Butte-Silver Bow committee begins review of plan to expand fire services district to include MCT area

The Butte-Silver Bow Judiciary Committee on April 8 introduced a resolution of intent (2026-18) to modify the county ordinance that defines the fire services district so that the Montana Connections (MCT) district would be included within the city-county fire services boundaries.

Commissioner Thatcher, who researched the proposal, distributed proposed amendments and said commercial and residential property owners had asked for clearer information about fiscal impacts. Director Hassler provided sample figures prepared with her assistance, saying the estimates use FY2026 taxable values and the current mill levy structure but noted the numbers would change because of a state-level change to tax tiers for the upcoming fiscal year.

As an example from the materials, a commercial building valued at $5 million was shown with an estimated tax impact of $5,149.85 based on FY2026 values and current mills; Director Hassler said that calculation reflects market value converted to taxable value and then multiplied by the mill rate levied in fiscal year 2026.

County Attorney Andrews and Director Hassler flagged the need for clearer language and additional information; Commissioner Thatcher proposed amendments to the redline resolution to provide more detail for property owners ahead of the public hearing. The committee recessed to the committee of the whole at 7:29 p.m. to continue review and public hearing preparations.

No vote or final action on resolution 2026-18 was recorded in the Judiciary Committee transcript during the portion provided; the committee planned further consideration in committee of the whole proceedings.