Butte-Silver Bow council approves change to fire services district after debate over taxes and funding

The Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners voted 7–3 on May 20, 2026, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-18, altering the boundaries of the City-County fire services district to include the 3 MCT district. The measure was presented as a way to stabilize funding for the Fire Department and volunteer fire services.

Council Chairman John Morgan said the change was intended to address coverage and funding across the district rather than target any single business. Opponents on the council, including Commissioner Jim Fisher and Commissioner Dan Callahan, raised concerns about fairness and the legal and tax implications for large taxpayers in the area. Callahan argued the proposal could subject some utilities and facilities to a higher fire rating and tax burden and questioned the legality of the change as presented.

BSB Fire Chief Zach Osborne said the additional revenue would be used to sustain equipment and operations. He told the council the department had reached the cap on the fire fund and that available deployment and DNRC funds had previously supplemented vehicle purchases; he said some purchases were funded by deployment money rather than general tax revenue. Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher said the department needed reliable, modern equipment to respond effectively to emergencies.

The resolution drew sustained discussion about three large taxpayers in the jurisdiction — REC, Northwestern Energy and Montana Resources — and whether they pay into the fire fund at comparable rates. Commissioners expressed differing views on the appropriate balance between protecting the tax base and funding emergency services.

On final reading the resolution passed, 7 in favor and 3 opposed (Fisher, Callahan, Healy). The council indicated another public hearing would be scheduled to allow residents in the Montana Connections area to comment on the proposed district change before implementation steps proceed.