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1. When and where does the Council of Commissioners meet?

On Wednesday nights four times per month. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of the Butte-Silver Bow Courthouse, 155 W Granite St.

Occasionally, special sessions of Council are held on other days, typically in the evenings, though such special sessions are very infrequent. Public notice regarding any special session of Council goes out to local media and is posted to the Butte-Silver Bow website at least three days (and usually 1-2 weeks) in advance.

2. Where can I find Council voting records?

All voting records for the Council of Commissioners are recorded in meeting minutes. Minutes are available on the website under the Agenda Center.

Alternatively, you can contact a Commissioner directly to ask about past votes or other Council issues.

3. How can I find my Commissioner or my precinct?

You can determine what precinct your are in or which Commissioner represents your precinct by using the Butte-Silver Bow Urban Voter Precinct map  and the Butte-Silver Bow County (Non-Butte) Voter Precinct map  You can also look up your address in the Address Ranges for Voting Precincts and Commissioner Districts as of June 11, 2021. To use the chart, simply find your street and address range in the chart - streets are listed in alphabetical order. Alternatively, you can use the online Contact Form and Butte-Silver Bow staff will reply by email with information about your precinct and Commissioner - be sure to list your address of residence on the form.

4. How do I know what is on the Council agenda?

First, you can access the weekly agenda each Monday afternoon on the Butte-Silver Bow website - click here to go directly to the Agenda Center. The agendas are listed by date, and you can also review past agendas back to 2012 and the official minutes of Council meetings. Agendas prior to 2012 are available upon request - just use the Contact Form available on this website.

Second, you can obtain a copy of an agenda from the Council secretary. The office of the secretary is on the 2nd floor of the Butte courthouse, just inside the Clerk and Recorder's Office, 155 W Granite St. Agendas can also be requested at the check-in table in Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of the courthouse immediately before or after Council meetings.

Finally, The Montana Standard and Butte Weekly often have articles covering agenda items.

5. How do I get an item on the agenda?

First, you can write a brief letter with your concern, request, or problem. Submit the letter to the Council secretary and she will place the communication on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled meeting. The office of the secretary is on the 2nd floor of the Butte courthouse, just inside the Clerk and Recorder's Office, 155 W Granite St, or email council.agenda.items@bsb.mt.gov. The deadline is 2:00 p.m. on Friday preceding the next regular meeting. Second, you can contact your Commissioner and ask that they submit the issue on your behalf. In some cases, they may still ask that you put the issue in writing or they may be able to help you resolve the issue without going through the formal process.

6. What happens to a communication once it is placed on the agenda?

There are many different things that can occur with an agenda item. Some items are simple and only need an approval or denial by Council. That can be done at the regular meeting or it can be referred to the Committee of the Whole the following week if further time is needed to review or ask questions.

Many communications are referred to a Council committee where they are more thoroughly reviewed and a possible public hearing may be scheduled to get more public input.

Other communications are referred to a Butte-Silver Bow Department for review and a formal recommendation back to Council.

Finally, some communications are referred to the Butte-Silver Bow County Attorney for a legal opinion before any action is taken.

In all cases, action on communications can vary from taking place immediately on emergency situations to taking weeks to months when major ordinances are being changed.

7. What is the difference between a Regular Meeting and a Committee of the Whole Meeting?

The Regular Meetings take place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month and they normally deal with new agenda items. The meeting is chaired by the Chief Executive and attended by all Commissioners, the Council Secretary, Country Attorney, and a staff person from the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.

The Committee of the Whole meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month and usually address communications from the Regular Meeting that need further research, review, discussion or debate. This meeting is also chaired by the Chair of the Council and some communications may sit in the Committee of the Whole for extended periods of time until final action is taken.

8. What are Council Committees?

The Council has committees that review issues in more detail. Each committee consists of six Commissioners. The main committees are:

1. Finance & Budget—meets at 7:00 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday and 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

2. Public Works—meets at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

3. Judiciary—meets at 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

4. Personnel—meets as needed to address personnel issues.

Committees typically meeting the Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of the Butte courthouse, 155 W Granite St.

9. Can the public speak at a council meeting?

Yes! There is time at the beginning of each meeting for the public to comment on items on the agenda and time at the end of the meeting to comment on matters not on the agenda.

Also, the public can speak on issues if an individual Commissioner calls on a person during the meeting.