The Butte Silver Bow Council of Commissioners met on August 27, 2026, for a Committee of the Whole meeting. Commissioner Boyle was excused. The meeting included public hearings on the fiscal year 2027 budget, Metro Sewer rates, and the Tourism Improvement District (TBID); a bid opening; a presentation from the public library; and several communications, including a discussion on community enrichment complaints.
I'll bring the Beauty Silver Bowl, Council of Commissioners, Committee of the Whole meeting to order for Wednesday, August twenty sixth, twenty twenty six. Please let the record reflect that Commissioner Boyle is excused tonight. Commissioner Walker, would you please lead us in the prayer on the pledge? Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. Undergone indivisible with liberty and justice for all. If there's any member of the public that would like to speak. Okay. Seeing none, uh report of the chair. I'm I don't have anything to report on tonight, so I'll move right into section one, bid openings, public hearings, and/or presentations. We do have what appears to be three public hearings. Uh communication 2026-366, communication 2026-367, and communication 2026-413. County Attorney Enruth, do we have proof of publication on those three items? Chairman Morgan, we have proof of publication on both of Director Hassler's, which was previously given to council, and we have received proof of publication uh with regards to Kelly Hazlitt's public hearing tonight. Thank you so much. Uh number one, communication 2026-366. Karen Hassler, Finance and Budget Director, requesting council of commissioners permission to schedule a public hearing on August 5th, 26th for the adoption of the fiscal year 27 final budget and establish the user rates for stormwater system, solid waste disposal and lighting and fire hydrant districts. This is a continuation of previous public hearings. Uh Director Hassler, do you have anything to add? Uh thank you, Chairman Morgan, members of council. Um this evening we do not have any additional amendments or changes to the budget from last week, so there are no new sheets on your uh desk tonight. Um the final budget as it is uh this evening is 168 million, two hundred and sixty-nine thousand six hundred and twenty-one dollars. Again, we um have a balanced budget uh three hundred and sixty point four five mils, which is a reduction of nine point five five mils from the fiscal year twenty-six budget. Okay, um the question uh director Hassler, just so everybody's aware. Next Wednesday evening we will be fully adopting or voting on the on the passage of the butt budget. Is that correct? Uh Chairman Morgan, yes, that is correct. Okay. Thank you. Do any of the other commissioners have any questions for Director Hassler? Okay. Seeing none, I'll open up the public hearing for communication 2026-366. I would ask for any proponents. Second call for proponents. Third and final call for proponents. Okay, I'll move on to opponents. If there's any member of the public that would like to speak in opposition of this communication, now would be our opportunity. Second call for opponents. Third and final call for opponents. Okay. We'll continue to keep this public hearing open for for next week. Moving on to communication 26367, Karen Hassler, Finance and Budget Director requesting Council of Commissioners' permission to schedule a public hearing on August 12th, 26 to establish user rates for Metro Sewer. Public hearing will begin on August 12th, 26th and continued until the Council of Commissioners set a date to adopt the fiscal year 27 final budget and fix the rate. Um multifamily residential properties and commercial properties vary on the number of units assessed, and the schedule of base units can be found in Butte Silverbow Ordinance 13.08.040. Thank you, Director Hasser. Is there any questions from the commissioners? All right. Seeing none, I'll I'll open the uh public hearing for communication 26367 for proponents. Second call for proponents.