Chief Executive Report 1st Quarter of 2022
Looking back on 2021 through all the ups and downs in dealing with the COVID 19 pandemic, ButteSilver Bow (BSB) persevered, and the community saw growth. BSB saw the largest growth in population that we have seen in over 100 years as reported in the last Census. Our population has just gone over 35,000 and is continuing to grow. BSB is experiencing a very tight labor market as unemployment hit a record low at just under 2 percent. The tight labor market has hit the local businesses and has not escaped BSB government as we have seen a record number of people retiring and or leaving jobs for other careers. Our police force is one of the departments hardest hit by these factors. We will continue to work with our department to recruit, train and retain quality employees that will serve the residents of BSB. In 2022 we expect that business and development will continue to be of high interest in the community. Our BSB team is working hard to plan for the future, while keeping our authenticity and character. Residents and visitors can always access the Butte-Silver Bow Government through our website. You can find us at: https://co.silverbow.mt.us/.
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Butte Parks and Recreation
Please visit this link or scan with your phone to take a short, but important, survey about Butte-Silver Bow’s park and trail system. Your feedback is very important as part of the updated Parks Masterplan. The new plan will guide the Parks Department for the next 10 years, including funding and capital investments, recreation activities, upgrades, and maintenance. https://www.co.silverbow.mt.us/2236/Master-Plan-Survey
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Water Utility Division
The Water Utility Division apologizes for the confusion caused by the bills you received in February. We use an outside printing company to print the bills. We sent the correct bill files to the printing company on 1/24/22. The printing company did not use these files to print your bills that you received at the beginning of February; they used the files sent to them on 12/21/21. Shortly after the bills hit people’s mailboxes on February 2, 2022, we were alerted by a customer who called us to say they got the same bill as the month before with a due date of 01/21/22. A call was made immediately to the printing company asking them to check the files they printed and mailed on 1/31/22. The printing company looked and determined they used the wrong files to print the bills. The printing company was asked to print and send you out the bill you should have received with a 02/22/22 due date. For some of you there is no change from month to month in what your bill is. For our metered customers: using more water than the minimum usage there is a change in the usage from month to month and the amount owed for that usage. Again, we apologize for the confusion this has caused.
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Animal Service Division
The Community Enrichment Department and the Animal Services Division has started some new improvements at the Animal Shelter in preparation for the arrival of the new kennels next month. We have construction, electrical, and painting projects underway, so please bear with us as we complete these projects. The end results will be amazing. The rest of the department is just battling away preparing for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Water Utility Division The Water Utility Division apologizes for the confusion caused by the bills you received in February. We use an outside printing company to print the bills. We sent the correct bill files to the printing company on 1/24/22. The printing company did not use these files to print your bills that you received at the beginning of February; they used the files sent to them on 12/21/21. Shortly after the bills hit people’s mailboxes on February 2, 2022, we were alerted by a customer who called us to say they got the same bill as the month before with a due date of 01/21/22. A call was made immediately to the printing company asking them to check the files they printed and mailed on 1/31/22. The printing company looked and determined they used the wrong files to print the bills. The printing company was asked to print and send you out the bill you should have received with a 02/22/22 due date. For some of you there is no change from month to month in what your bill is. For our metered customers: using more water than the minimum usage there is a change in the usage from month to month and the amount owed for that usage. Again, we apologize for the confusion this has caused.
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Butte Public Library
List of events for teens and adults at the Butte Public Library.
Ongoing events:
After school teen clubs every week:
- Mondays Anime & Manga Club 4pm
- Tuesdays Lego build 4pm
- Wednesdays Gaming 4pm
- Thursdays Computer Club 4pm
- Fridays Science Club 4pm
Book Clubs:
- After Hours Book Club: first Wednesdays 6pm Mackenzie River Pizza
- Social Justice Book Club: second Thursdays 6pm Mackenzie River Pizza
- BSBPL Book Club: third Friday 1pm Butte Public Library
- Ivan Doig Book Club: third Thursdays 6pm Clark Chateau
Brown Bag Lectures:
- First Fridays: Noon Butte Public Library
Trivia Nights:
- Second and fourth Wednesdays 6:30pm The Elks
Special Events:
- Edible Book Festival - Saturday, April 2 at 3:00pm - Butte Public Library
- Park Street Community Garden - cleanup day Saturday, May 7 from 9am-1pm
- Park Street Community Garden - Fun Run & Family Day Saturday, June 4 at 10am
- Movies in the Garden - June 11 - July 30, Every Saturday evening at dusk
Children’s room of the library:
In April, May, and June we are having our Story Times on Tuesday nights at 5:00, and on Friday mornings, at 11:00 for Books and Babies and at 11:15 for our regular Story Time.
Our theme this year for Summer Reading is “An Ocean of Possibilities”. In June our Summer Reading Program starts, Every Thursday starting on the Ninth of June, up until the last Thursday in July (The 28th). So, June 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th, and July 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th. Our first program is traditionally an Ice Cream Social, and the rest is in the planning stages still.
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Finance & Budget Department
The City-County of Butte-Silver Bow independent audit for fiscal year 2021 conducted by the firm of Newland and Company was completed in December 2021. The audit firm issued an unmodified opinion. This opinion states that the auditors have determined that the financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework of the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
The Finance & Budget Department, Public Works Water Utility Division, Public Works Metro Sewer Division, and Grant Writer collaborated to apply for $13 million in State of Montana American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to assist with $21.8 million in various water and sewer projects. The grant proposals include using $7.3 million of the local governments direct ARPA funds, and $1.4 million in additional grant state and federal grant funds. The local government anticipates receiving notification of the potential grant awards in late spring 2022.
The Local Government ARPA Committee released the $1 million City-County of Butte-Silver Bow ARPA Grant Program on January 24, 2022. The Finance & Budget Department held grant trainings on February 2, 2022, and February 8, 2022. Potential applicants were required to attend one of the training sessions. The City-County website has been updated with application materials, training documents, and guidance materials from the U.S. Treasury. The grant applications are due March 7, 2022, by 4:00 p.m. The completed application and all documents must be submitted to the Clerk & Recorder’s Office. Grant questions can be emailed to ARPAGrant@bsb.mt.gov.
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Civic Center Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY
- Feb 19-20th Cyclops Wrestling Tournament
- Feb 27th Journey Church Winter Festival
MARCH
- March 3rd Civic Center Board Meeting 12:00pm in Hospitality Room
- March 3-6th Rocky Mountain RV Sale
- March 11th Sawyer Brown Concert
- March 15th Vitalant Blood Drive
- March 17th Handing Down the Heritage
- March 18-20th Sky Blue Gun Show (in Annex)
- March 25-27th Middle School State Basketball Championship (Main Arena & Annex)
APRIL
- April 2-3rd Advantage Butte Volleyball Classic
- April 5th Empty Bowls
- April 7th Civic Center Board Meeting
- April 8-9th Bull Riding
- April 8-9th Quilt Show (in Annex)
- April 13th Jordan Circus
- April 16-17th Volleyball
- April 22nd Skyline Sportsman’s Banquet
- April 30th Bacon & Brewfest
MAY
- May 5th Civic Center Board Meeting 12:00pm in Hospitality Room
- May 5-8th May Fair
JUNE
- June 1st BHS All Sports Banquet
- June 2nd BHS Graduation
- June 2nd Butte Civic Center Board Meeting 12:00pm in Hospitality Room
- June 7th Primary Election
- June 11-12th Mineral & Gem Show (in Annex)
TICKETS ON SALE FOR:
- Sawyer Brown March 11th, 2022
- Justin Moore Sept 16th, 2022
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St. Patrick’s Day Parade
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner. Come out and celebrate the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Event. The parade starts at 12:00 pm, March 17th. Parade assembly begins at the Lexington Gardens at 10:30 am (off Arizona on East Granite) and will be staged East on Granite, South on Covert and East on Broadway. All entries must be at the staging area by 11:30 am. The parade route begins at the corner of Arizona and Granite, proceeding West on Granite to Montana, South on Montana to Park St., East on Park St. to Arizona where disassembly can begin. Participants can either disperse going East on Park, South on Arizona or return to staging area by going North on Arizona to Granite or North on Covert to Granite.
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Butte-Silver Bow Superintendent of Schools
The enrollment numbers from the Spring enrollment counts are listed below. We are up 56 students throughout the county from the fall.
- Butte Central Elementary 211
- Butte Central High School 99
- Butte High School 1252
- Divide Elementary 4
- East Middle School 663
- Emerson Elementary 397
- Highland View Christian 24
- Hillcrest Elementary 417
- Kennedy Elementary 247
- Margaret Leary Elementary 367
- Melrose Elementary 6
- Ramsay Elementary 164
- Silver Bow Montessori 8
- West Elementary 467
- Whittier Elementary 424
TOTAL 4750
- Head Start Pre-K 160
- Home School 233
- Total Spring Report 5143
- Fall Report 5087
- Increase of 56
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Department of Reclamation and Environmental Services
The Reclamation Division is in the process of drafting the annual construction completion report for the 2021 Residential Metals Abatement Program (RMAP) work and completing the summary report for the Butte Reclamation Evaluation System (BRES) program. In addition to fulfilling reporting requirements, staff is currently redesigning the PitWatch Public Education Committee website (pitwatch.org) and renewing social media efforts to share information about the Berkeley Pit’s environmental management with the public. Highlights of this work will be an updated presentation of information that allows visitors to dive deep or view quick facts about the science, history, and management of the Berkeley Pit. Finally, the Superfund Advisory and Redevelopment Trust Authority (SARTA) awarded nearly $450,000 in grant funds to Community and Economic Development, Festivals and Events, and Historic Preservation projects.
The Department has recently relocated to the Butte-Silver Bow Courthouse. The recent relocation was conducted to consolidate staff in a central location and to provide the community with easier access to the services provided to the citizens of Butte-Silver Bow. The programs administered by the Department include the Residential Metals Abatement Program (RMAP), Dirt Moving and Excavation Protocols and Operations and Maintenance for reclaimed areas and stormwater controls. The RAMP provides free environmental sampling at residences in the community and free clean-up activities as determined through the sampling activities. The Dirt Moving and Excavation Protocols program provides free sampling of excavated soil in the community and free disposal of contaminated soils as necessary.
The Department is the center for information regarding Superfund activities that are ongoing in the Butte Community. For more information you can contact the Department of Reclamation and Environmental Services at (406)497-5040.
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Health Department
This information is based through epi week 5, which was 1/31/2022 – 2/6/2022:
- We had 224 new cases of covid for this time frame.
- This number decreased by just over half from the previous week.
- Our 7-day average for week 5 is 32, or 91.45 per 100,000.
- Community transmission remains high.
- CDC listed the positivity rate as 16.84%.
- Silver Bow has increased to 65% of the eligible population that is fully vaccinated. Statewide, Montana is at 54%.
- Visit https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/cdepi/diseases/CoronavirusMT/ for more information.
COVID-19 Home Tests
- Every Wednesday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm, free tests kits are available at the Butte Plaza Mall and other locations as advertised. Each household is allowed one box per week. Supplies are limited.
- All positive home tests can now be reported to the health department online at www.hometest.mt.gov
Covid-19 Vaccine Clinics – We will be giving away various gift cards/promotional items to anyone 5-17 years old receiving vaccines!
- Tuesday – By appointment only @ Butte-Silver Bow Health Department, 25 W Front Street, 497-5008
9-3 pm Ages 12 and up: 1st, 2nd, 3rd doses as well as boosters/immunocompromised doses
3-5 pm Ages 5-11: 1st and 2nd doses
- Wednesday – Walk-in @ Butte High School Commons
4-7 pm Ages 12 and up, 1st, 2nd, 3rd doses as well as boosters/immunocompromised doses
Ages 5-11, 1st, and 2nd doses
Coming soon:
For those individuals between the ages of 19-64 who test positive for COVID-19, they will receive a text message that will
provide a link to a survey that will complete the interview, rather than doing it over the phone. For those who would rather
complete the survey via phone call, that option will still be available.
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Treasurer’s Department
PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING 2022 TAX DEED
Tax Lien and Deed Process Encourages Delinquent Taxpayers to Pay Back Taxes Now to Avoid Additional Fees
For taxpayers that have 2018 tax liens, they have until April 29, 2022, to redeem their property from the tax deed list by paying the first half of their 2021 taxes and their full year of 2018 taxes, penalty & interest plus the current Tax Deed Fee.
When a tax lien becomes three years delinquent, it goes on the tax deed list. If delinquent taxes are not paid by April 29, 2022, by 5:00 p.m., the 2nd half of the 2021 taxes plus additional Tax deed fees will be added to the parcel. The additional fees are based on the liability that the City and County of Butte-Silver Bow has against the property, and there may be a substantial fee that will become part of the redemption costs, such as fees for processing as well as title litigation.
The Butte-Silver Bow Treasurer and Assessor are encouraging everyone with delinquent taxes to pay them before the April 29,2022 deadline, as the amount of money saved by the taxpayer will be significant.
“We are not here to judge, we are here to help,” said Lori Baker-Patrick, Treasurer. “Butte-Silver Bow does not want your property; we want to help you keep your property. We ask taxpayers who are struggling to please contact our office to discuss your situation and help find a resolution.”
If taxes currently due for the current tax year have been paid, the treasurer shall accept a partial payment equal to the delinquent taxes, including penalty and interest, for one or more full tax years. Payment of taxes for delinquent taxes must be applied to the taxes that have been delinquent the longest. The payment of taxes for the current tax year is not a redemption of the property tax lien for any delinquent tax year.
The amount of interest and costs continues to accrue until the date of redemption. The total amount of interest and costs that must be paid for, and redemption must be calculated by the treasurer as of the date of payment.
Montana’s real estate and centrally assessed properties are billed in November of each year and ends typically in May of the following year.
There is property tax assistance available to all taxpayers. If you have received a delinquent notice mail, your property is at risk for additional fees, and you are strongly encouraged to contact the Butte-Silver Bow Treasurer’s office immediately for assistance at: 406-497-6303.
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