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Butte–Silver Bow commission narrows charter fire-language, favors ordinance-based flexibility
Summary
The Government Study Commission continued review of proposed fire-services charter language and signaled support for moving operational specifics—appointments, promotions, budgets, equipment transfers—out of the charter and into ordinance, while asking the County Attorney for revised Section 7.03 language before finalizing the report.
The Butte–Silver Bow Government Study Commission continued its review on June 8 of proposed charter language governing fire services, with commissioners generally favoring broader, ordinance-based authority rather than detailed charter requirements.
Chairperson Brandl and commissioners discussed County Attorney Enrooth’s revised drafting for Section 7.03 and considered two options: one that mainly removed references to volunteer fire departments while preserving the existing structure, and an alternative Option 2 that included more extensive governance changes. Commissioners said the County Attorney’s edits consolidated several draft provisions and provided clearer legal authority, but they also identified several items from the preliminary report that were not carried forward, including annual volunteer budget submissions and advisory roles for volunteer boards of trustees.
Commissioner Silk raised operational concerns about a charter requirement that would force a two-thirds Council vote to reallocate firefighting equipment, arguing such a rule could hinder routine emergency operations. Commissioner Dennehy recommended retaining clear provisions for boundary changes while removing equipment reallocation language to preserve operational flexibility.
On the question of governance structure, several commissioners supported eliminating fixed, charter-level membership numbers for advisory groups and instead allowing composition and duties to be set by ordinance. Commissioner Shaw noted that broader charter revisions would be necessary if voters approve a city manager form of government and a reduced commission size, and urged flexibility through ordinance where possible.
The Commission discussed replacing the Fire Advisory Committee with a Volunteer Fire Coordinator position to serve as a liaison between volunteer departments and the Director of Fire Services; a majority of discussion favored relying on the Coordinator and removing advisory-committee language.
Commissioners also recommended moving the charter provision that the paid Fire Chief serves as Director of Fire Services to the beginning of Section 7.03 for clarity. Rather than taking a final vote, the Commission agreed to compile comments and return recommended edits to County Attorney Enrooth for further drafting; commissioners were asked to submit comments promptly so the final report can be completed before July 7.
The meeting record shows no formal vote on charter adoption at this session; the Commission instead directed staff and the County Attorney to refine language and return it for future consideration.
