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Citizen Portal News Montana

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1 month ago

Commissioners approve Brownfields subgrant for Basin Creek House after debate on scope and funding Council approved a subgrant agreement (communication 2026-6128) to start abatement work at the Basin Creek House funded through Brownfields and Headwaters RC&D; the vote followed questions about program overlap with RMAP and whether interior hazards (asbestos/vermiculite) were being addressed in the right order.

The Butte-Silver Bow council has approved a contentious subgrant for the hazardous cleanup of Basin Creek House, igniting a debate over funding priorities and safety concerns.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalSafety #CommunityDevelopment

Citizen Portal News Montana

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1 month ago

Ad hoc committee tells Butte‑Silver Bow commissioners Sabey data center fits existing water and grid plans but community questions remain An ad hoc committee presented findings on the proposed Sabey data center, saying industrial water and electricity capacity can accommodate an initial 50 MW build expanding to 200 MW, while community speakers raised concerns about corporate finances, grid impacts and local hiring guarantees.

The ad hoc committee's findings reveal that the proposed Sabey data center could thrive within existing water and power systems, but community concerns over corporate finances and local job guarantees remain unresolved.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal

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1 month ago

Butte-Silver Bow presents drought management plan, recommends advisory committee and expanded metering Butte-Silver Bow staff presented a grant-funded drought management plan recommending a formal Drought Advisory Committee, expanded metering toward near-100% coverage, added stream gauging and a tiered enforcement framework; staff said DNRC grant funding will help accelerate meter installation.

Butte-Silver Bow is taking proactive steps to combat drought with a comprehensive management plan that could change how the community monitors and responds to water shortages.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #CommunityResources #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment #SilverBowCountyDrought

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1 month ago

Butte‑Silver Bow committee pares presentation for council as Sabey data center details remain provisional An ad hoc Butte‑Silver Bow committee agreed to present a shortened slide deck and a technical addendum to the county council next Wednesday on the proposed Sabey colocation data center, while asking Sabey for clarifications on water discharge, cooling design and phased job estimates.

The Butte-Silver Bow committee is gearing up to reveal crucial details about the proposed Sabey data center, addressing critical issues like water usage, job creation, and environmental impact.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalImpact #JobCreation

Citizen Portal News Montana

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2 months ago

BLDC reports $474,900 in Anaconda Arco loan fund, six grants awarded; Praxis extension set for Feb. 18 At the Feb. 4 committee meeting, Kelly Sullivan of the Butte Local Development Corporation said the Anaconda Arco loan fund has $474,900 available, BLDC clients received six grants (including a $9,000 award), and the Praxis Center will seek a loan extension at a Feb. 18 loan-committee hearing.

Exciting developments are underway as the Butte Local Development Corporation announces nearly $475,000 in loan funds and six grants awarded to local businesses, paving the way for economic growth in Silver Bow County!

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2 months ago

Residents press county committee for clearer answers on water, wastewater, grid and e‑waste tied to proposed data center Public commenters and committee members pressed for detailed site‑specific answers about cooling water, wastewater permits, wastewater disposal, groundwater risk, grid reliability and e‑waste handling before the county advances the Sabey data center project.

Residents demand transparency on critical issues like water use and e-waste management before the Sabey data center project moves forward.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #EwasteRecycling #GridReliability #WastewaterManagement #CitizenPortal #SilverBowCountyWater

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2 months ago

Butte-Silver Bow schedules public hearings to amend 2026 public-health budget for opioid, harm-reduction and assessment work Health officer Karen Malochnie asked the council to schedule public hearings to amend the FY2026 budget for opioid-abatement work, harm-reduction surveys, a community health needs assessment and several DPHHS contracts; proponents spoke in favor and hearings were opened and closed at the meeting.

Butte-Silver Bow is gearing up for crucial public hearings on significant budget amendments aimed at tackling opioid abatement and enhancing community health support.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #SilverBowCounty #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #CommunityHealthAssessment #OpioidAbatement

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2 months ago

Butte-Silver Bow ad hoc committee backs one-year due‑diligence extension for proposed Sabey data center; council to decide An ad hoc committee that has been vetting a proposed Sabey data center recommended a one-year due‑diligence extension to the council while staff compile additional information on taxes, jobs, permitting and infrastructure; the council is scheduled to consider the extension at its next meeting.

Butte-Silver Bow's committee is pushing for a one-year extension on the Sabey data center project, aiming to gather crucial insights on taxes, jobs, and water before the council's vote.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #SilverBowCountyDataCenters

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2 months ago

Butte-Silver Bow approves six-month extension for Sabey/Horizons purchase-and-sale after heated public debate After hours of public comment and commissioner debate, the council voted 9-3 to grant a six-month extension of the purchase-and-sale agreement for 600 acres in the Montana Connections Business Park to Horizons Montana LLC (Sabey Data Centers) to allow the county’s ad hoc committee and Sabey time to address questions about water, power, jobs and title issues.

In a heated debate, Butte-Silver Bow commissioners voted 9-3 to extend a critical purchase agreement with Sabey Data Centers, sparking strong opinions on both economic development and environmental concerns.

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2 months ago

Public warns county about Flock Safety cameras; county attorney says state law bars AI surveillance of public places Residents urged caution and cybersecurity review before any procurement of Flock Safety cameras; County Attorney Enruth told the council that Montana law (HB 178 and MCA 44‑15‑104) prohibits government use of continuous AI facial recognition or persistent AI surveillance in public spaces.

Residents are raising alarm bells about AI surveillance cameras, questioning their impact on privacy and security as local laws stand in the way of government use.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #SilverBowCountyPrivacy #PublicAwareness #AISurveillance #CitizenPortal #CybersecurityConcerns

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2 months ago

Committee hears Sabey pledge of 'dry‑first' cooling; sewer permits and sampling required Sabey told staff its design is 'dry‑first' and uses adiabatic misting only above ~80°F; Butte‑Silver Bow pretreatment staff said industrial wastewater would require permits, separation of sanitary and industrial lines, and regular sampling — details on chemical composition and off‑site treatment remain outstanding.

Sabey's innovative 'dry-first' cooling system promises to reshape data center operations, but crucial questions about wastewater permits and chemical handling still linger.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #WaterManagement #IndustrialDischarge #EnvironmentalCompliance #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Officials: Montana unlikely to mirror PJM price shocks; large‑load tariff protections discussed Bob Morris told the committee that recent capacity‑market price volatility in PJM does not map onto Montana’s regulated system; the committee also discussed a large‑load tariff and staff said customers would be protected by the regulatory process and required upgrade costs.

Montana's electricity market is taking a unique path, shielding customers from the price shocks seen elsewhere while discussing a new large-load tariff to ensure fair costs.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #JobImpact #SilverBowCountyEnergy #CitizenPortal #RegulatoryProtection

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2 months ago

Consultants recommend Butte Mine Waste Repository as preferred site for priority soils; council hears plans for multi‑year hauling Consultants recommended using the existing Butte Mine Waste Repository to hold about 1.1 million cubic yards of priority soils removed from the Butte Hill, and outlined haul-route options, mitigation measures and a draft schedule that could begin excavation in August.

A groundbreaking study recommends the Butte Mine Waste Repository as the prime site for over 1 million cubic yards of mine waste, promising faster cleanup but raising concerns among residents about traffic and staging.

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2 months ago

Committee: Sabey data center would use a tiny share of Silver Lake industrial water Presenters told Butte‑Silver Bow’s ad hoc committee that the proposed Sabey data center would average roughly 16 million gallons a year (about 44,000 gallons a day), or about 0.2% of the industrial Silver Lake system’s sustainable capacity; staff said the industrial and potable systems are separate and potable supplies would not be affected.

The proposed Sabey data center will only use a fraction of the Silver Lake water system, ensuring Butte's drinking supply remains safe and secure.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #SustainableDevelopment #IndustrialWaterUse #WaterResourceManagement #CitizenPortal #SilverBowCounty

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3 months ago

Butte-Silver Bow forms ad hoc panel to vet proposed data center in Montana Connections Park Chief Executive Gallagher created an ad hoc committee to evaluate community questions about a proposed billion-dollar data center in Montana Connections Park; the panel will meet publicly and include academic, industry and city representatives to address economic, environmental and social concerns.

A billion-dollar data center is on the horizon for Montana Connections Park, but community voices are being heard through a newly formed ad hoc committee to address concerns and questions.

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3 months ago

Study commission votes to add Reclamation & Environmental Services director to charter (section 7.08) The Silver Bow County study commission voted Jan. 5 to add section 7.08 to the charter creating a Reclamation & Environmental Services department and a director position required to file quarterly Superfund reports; the language will be included in the preliminary report and reviewed by the county attorney.

Silver Bow County is paving the way for better environmental oversight by establishing a dedicated Reclamation and Environmental Services department that will ensure transparency through quarterly Superfund reports!

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3 months ago

Study commission recommends four full‑time paid commissioners, includes city‑county manager option with removal for cause Butte‑Silver Bow study commissioners voted to recommend a preliminary charter that sets four full‑time paid commissioners, retains an at‑large voting mayor, and includes a city‑county manager option whose removal must be for cause and defined by ordinance; specifics and compensation remain for later draft and public sessions.

Major governance changes are on the horizon for Butte-Silver Bow, with a proposal for four full-time paid commissioners and a new city-county manager model.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #SilverBowCountyGovernance #PublicEngagement #GovernmentReform #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

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3 months ago

Butte-Silver Bow opens hearing on $200,000 Main Street grant for Phoenix Building; communication placed on file The Butte-Silver Bow Council opened a public hearing Dec. 23 on a $200,000 Montana Main Street grant for redevelopment of the Phoenix Building, heard a proponent, and voted 8-0 to place the communication on file while staff works to create budget authority for FY 2025–26.

The Butte-Silver Bow Council just took a major step towards revitalizing the historic Phoenix Building with a $200,000 grant—what’s next for this community gem?

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #SilverBowCountyDevelopment #HistoricReuse #LocalEconomy #CommunityInvestment #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

Union urges study commission to keep fire director in charter; working group seeks budget data At the Dec. 15 study-commission meeting, Local 96 urged commissioners not to replace the charter's director of fire services with a 'fire coordinator' and cited an ESCI study recommending three staff in inspections/investigations; the fire working group asked the fire director and volunteer chiefs for four years of budget detail to inform charter recommendations.

Local union president warns against replacing the director of fire services with a fire coordinator, citing concerns over staffing and operational effectiveness.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #SilverBowCountyFireServices #CommunityTransparency #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

Study commission debates smaller council, elected mayor and city-county manager in charter draft Members of the Butte-Silver Bow study commission reviewed working-group recommendations to shrink the council, make the mayor an at-large, voting presiding officer, add a deputy mayor, and create an appointed city-county manager; commissioners deferred final votes to allow more public review and separate votes on each issue.

The Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission is shaking things up by proposing a smaller council and an elected mayor, aiming to redefine local governance in Montana!

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #LocalGovAI #SilverBowCountyGovernance #GovernmentReform #CitizenPortal #CivicParticipation

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4 months ago

Experts and commissioners split on whether coroner should be law‑enforcement role or independent office Presentations from a former sheriff/coroner and the current civil coroner framed trade‑offs: law‑enforcement coroners bring investigative experience while civilian coroners can provide an independent, medical‑focused perspective; commissioners discussed qualifications, accreditation and chain‑of‑custody procedures.

A heated debate brews in Silver Bow County over whether the coroner's role should remain tied to law enforcement or become an independent office, highlighting the crucial balance between investigative experience and medical expertise.

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4 months ago

Commission debates request for independent Superfund coordinator; county official says Superfund now a standalone department A letter urging an independent Superfund coordinator prompted discussion. Director Eric Hassler said Superfund work is now managed by the Department of Reclamation and Environmental Services and suggested memorializing that department in the charter; commissioners asked for clarification and possible working‑group follow-up.

A push for an independent Superfund coordinator has ignited a heated debate among commissioners about the future of environmental oversight in Silver Bow County.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #CitizenPortal #SilverBowCountySuperfund #EnvironmentalCleanup #CivicAccountability

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4 months ago

Commission advances sale of 305 W. Mercury St. to local developer despite valuation and timeline concerns Councilors voted 9–3 to authorize staff to draft a resolution and purchase agreement to sell 305 W. Mercury St. to Jeff Riggs and Keith Waring. Commissioners raised concerns about building condition, tenant impacts, the absence of detailed timelines or clawback provisions, and restrictions on resale.

The Butte-Silver Bow Council's recent vote to sell the controversial 305 W. Mercury Street has sparked intense debate over its implications for local mental health providers and community development.

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4 months ago

Study commission examines volunteer fire-department governance, legal questions about assets and taxes Commissioners and legal counsel reviewed the consequences of removing volunteer fire departments from the charter, citing an analogous Montana Supreme Court case and Attorney General opinions; they requested equipment inventories, map clarifications and further legal/fiscal analysis.

Silver Bow County commissioners are grappling with the future of volunteer fire departments, debating legal ownership and funding while navigating potential courtroom battles.

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4 months ago

Commissioners hold proposed sale of 305 West Mercury Street in abeyance amid debate over price and enterprise-fund accounting After extended debate about valuation, RFP process and the building’s enterprise-fund status, the council voted 9–1 to hold the proposed sale of 305 West Mercury Street in abeyance while staff and commissioners address appraisal, criteria and financial implications.

The Butte-Silver Bow Council has put the sale of 305 West Mercury Street on hold after a heated debate over its valuation and financial implications for taxpayers.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #SilverBowCountyCommunity #PublicFinance #CitizenPortal #GovernmentTransparency

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4 months ago

Residents press council on Montana Connections/Sabey data center; staff outlines process, acreage and water roles Community organizer read 17 public questions about the proposed Sabey (Horizon) data center at Montana Connections, asking about acreage (606.5 acres), water and wastewater, noise, lighting, taxes and public process; county staff answered and said TED process, state regulators and existing zoning/pretreatment standards apply, and noted the TED‑area

Residents are demanding transparency as the Butte-Silver Bow Council addresses crucial questions about the proposed Sabey data center's impact on water, wastewater, and local taxes.

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4 months ago

Judiciary committee notes county attorney request to draft marijuana ordinance, will resubmit clean draft for readings and public hearing The Butte-Silver Bow judiciary committee voted to note and place on file communication 2025‑310 from County Attorney Matt Enruth requesting authorization to draft a new ordinance regulating medical and recreational marijuana; staff will resubmit a single "clean" ordinance for three readings and a public hearing.

Butte-Silver Bow County is gearing up for a major overhaul of its marijuana regulations with a new, streamlined ordinance on the horizon!

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4 months ago

Butte-Silver Bow study commission forms working group after heated public debate over volunteer fire departments After extensive public testimony from career and volunteer firefighters, the Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission on Nov. 10 authorized a three-member working group to research charter language, tax boundaries and legal issues surrounding the countys fire service. Speakers urged clearer authority, standardized training and an inventory of equipment;

A heated public debate has sparked the Butte-Silver Bow Study Commission to form a working group to tackle the complex issues surrounding volunteer fire departments and their legal standing.

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Sabrina Lawrence

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4 months ago

Faded red paint on an old structure with a door and windows and a green roof with mountains in the background

Butte, MT paint worthy. #seascapeandpine #roadtrip #butte #montana #bigsky #buildings #mountains #silverbowcounty

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5 months ago

Council approves amended development agreement, clears sale for Harrison Avenue project amid debate over 'after‑the‑fact' application Councilors approved a development agreement amendment and a related resolution to convey Montana Connections subdivision lots to Riley Global Solutions (d/b/a CREW companies), after URD board review; commissioners debated whether approving a project after work began sets a problematic precedent.

Butte-Silver Bow commissioners have sparked controversy by approving a development agreement for a project that began before formal application, raising questions about transparency and procedure.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #InfrastructureInvestment #CitizenPortal #LocalJobsCreation