The Judiciary Committee of Butte Silver-Bow, Montana met on September 24, 2026, to consider several agenda items including a moratorium on data center development, property sales, a business improvement district, and an interim zoning ordinance for hyperscale data centers. All commissioners (Shea, Thatcher, Callahan, Healy, Gerbrand) and County Attorney Umrufe were present. The meeting was called to order for September 23, 2026, but the recording timestamp indicates the meeting occurred on September 24, 2026.
Communication 2026-435 (Data Center Moratorium): Commissioner Shea requested the Council's concurrence to direct the county attorney to prepare a temporary moratorium on data center development approvals. A motion to hold the communication in abeyance passed with 5 votes in favor and 1 opposed.
Resolution 2026-54 (Business Improvement District #1): This resolution amended Resolution 2024-61 to correct the assessment table and method for the business improvement district. After a public hearing, the committee voted to move the resolution to final reading pending the public hearing. Motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 2026-60 (Sale to Patty and Chris Salmonson): The committee amended the resolution to correct the legal description and grantee names. The motion to move to final reading as amended passed unanimously.
Resolution 2026-61 (Sale to Paul Vinoy): Similar correction was made to strike language referencing community development and add the grantee name. Moved to final reading as amended, passed unanimously.
Resolution 2026-62 (PACE Program Repeal and Replacement): This resolution repeals Resolution 2024-04 and establishes a PACE program for Butte Silver-Bow. Moved to final reading, passed 6-0 (Commissioner Healy voted aye after initial call).
Council Bill 2026-03 (Hyperscale Data Center Interim Zoning Ordinance): County Attorney Umrufe presented the ordinance imposing a six-month moratorium on hyperscale data center approvals, with definitions intentionally left blank for public and committee input. Commissioners discussed the interplay with a related ballot initiative pending before the state Supreme Court. Commissioner Thatcher requested that commissioners who toured data center sites present findings to the committee. A motion to hold the bill in abeyance passed unanimously.
Claims: Two refund claims were approved: a $260 golf membership refund and a $100 demolition bond refund. Motion passed unanimously.
No public comments were recorded during the meeting.
Okay, we have to go to the next one. And that they would kind of work with commissioners for whatever it is. Plus, we want to avoid a quorum so figure out how to couple different groups. I mean, we could also just announce that we're doing an informational tour. Could be the judiciary committee meeting for September twenty third, twenty twenty-six to order. Um for for roll call. Um Commissioner Shea, Commissioner Thatcher, Commissioner Callahan. Um Commissioner Healy, Commissioner Gerbrand, um are all present. Also in attendance is County Attorney Umrufe. Um item number one, communication number twenty twenty-six four three five. Michelle Shea, District Two Commissioner, requesting Council of Commissioners' concurrence to direct the county attorney to prepare and introduce a temporary moratorium on data center development approvals. Um because the ordinance has been um introduced. Thank you, Chairman Chair. I'd like to make a motion to hold communication number 2026-435 in abeyance. Is there a second? Thank you. There is a motion in a second to hold communication number 2026435 in abeyance. All those in favor, aye. Opposed? Well, were you an A? 5A1 nay. Motion passes. Um item number two, resolution number 202654. Council resolution 2024 61 was passed on December 19, 2024, and remains in effect with the following amendments noted below. A resolution amending resolution 2024-61 to correct the assessment table, section six, setting the method of assessment for the business improvement district, and declaring the intention of the council of commissioners of the city and county of Butte Silverbow, Montana to create a business improvement district to be known as business improvement district number one for the purpose of promoting health, safety, prosperity, security, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the city and county of Butte Silverbow, designating and describing the boundaries of said proposed business improvement district, providing for the publication and giving of notice of the passage and adoption of this resolution and providing for the effective date here of this public hearing is tonight. So we'll want to move this to the full council next week. Thank you, Chairwoman Jay. I'd like to make a motion to move resolution number 2026-54 to final reading pending the public hearing there's a motion a second to move resolution 2026-54 to final reading pending the public hearing. Anything on the question? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion passes. And I know that that's not this was the Salmonson property. Can we amend? And then approve is amended. Okay, Commissioner Thatcher. Okay, so let's see. Described as amended attached to the city county of Butte Servo. Okay, so it would be line. I think maybe Director Crane might be able to help us. Thank you. Commissioner Thatcher, the language should be modified to read as described in the amended plat attached here to as exhibit A to the to Patty and Chris Salmanson in accordance with the procedures of Butte Silverbow Municipal Code and providing for an effective date herein. Okay. So then I would like to make a motion to strike lines. No, you're good. I can see you right here. Um Tollamore Road. I'd like to strike lines in number line I line number five to the city county of line number six, butte silverbow county, Montana for the purpose of community number seven, development in accordance with the procedure or number seven development, and then change that to say Patty and Chris Salmonson. So the actual thing should read a resolution authorizing and approving the sale of a certain parcel of real property legally described as 5,730 square feet of the Oro Butte load with lot 9A of the Tullamore PUD as described on the amended plat attached here too as exhibit A to Patty and Chris Salmanson in accordance with the procedures of Butte Silverbow municipal code and providing for an effective date herein.