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Study Commission approves consolidation language to fold volunteer and rural fire departments into Butte‑Silver Bow Fire Department under Option 2
Summary
The Government Study Commission advanced Section 7.03 revisions that would consolidate volunteer and rural fire departments into a unified Butte‑Silver Bow Fire Department under Option 2 and directed staff to incorporate the agreed language into the draft Charter and final report.
The Butte‑Silver Bow Government Study Commission on June 15 approved subsection language for Section 7.03 that would consolidate volunteer and rural fire departments into the Butte‑Silver Bow Fire Department if voters adopt Option 2.
County Attorney Mike Enrooth told commissioners the revised language was intended to resolve legal ambiguity identified in Montana Attorney General opinions and to "clearly consolidate volunteer and rural fire departments into the Butte‑Silver Bow Fire Department under Option 2," with operational, administrative, and budget authority exercised through the County, the Director of Fire Services, the Chief Executive (or City Manager), and the Council of Commissioners. Commissioners agreed to replace a reference to the Town of Melrose with "Melrose Fire District" to reflect taxing‑district boundaries.
Proponents said placing broad governance language in the Charter while leaving operational details to ordinance would give future governing bodies flexibility. The Commission directed staff to incorporate the agreed revisions into the draft Charter and the final report for consideration at the next meeting on June 22, 2026. No formal vote on Option 2 itself was taken; the Commission approved individual subsections for inclusion in the draft Charter.
