Residents pressed the Butte‑Silver Bow Council of Commissioners on Nov. 12 with detailed questions about a proposed Sabey (Horizon) data center at Montana Connections — from the project's acreage and lighting to wastewater composition, water source and tax impacts — and county staff provided a preliminary response describing the review process, regulatory responsibilities and next steps.

Sarah Bordoon, who organized a community "Beyond the Boom" conversation on Oct. 16, read a list of 17 questions compiled from attendees and asked for public transparency on footprint, light and noise pollution, wastewater composition and handling, whether the county has a decision framework weighing permanent jobs and usable tax revenue against water and power impacts, and what public process will occur before any sale or approval.

County staff answered that the purchase and sale agreement with Horizons Montana LLC covers 606.5 acres of Butte‑Silver Bow land within the Montana Connections Targeted Economic Development District (MC TED). Staff said businesses in the TED must comply with local zoning and industrial pretreatment standards, Montana DEQ and EPA regulations for wastewater, and that businesses are responsible for any wastewater discharge fees and for infrastructure upgrades required to serve large industrial users.

On water, staff said the Silver Lake system is an industrial, non‑potable water system owned by Butte‑Silver Bow; the TED is not currently set up to serve very large potable water users without an analysis of availability and infrastructure improvements. "Yet to be determined, but Butte‑Silver Bow will be the driver of all water contracts, and the cost will be recovered by the user and not by the public," staff said.

On taxes, staff explained that parcels within the MC TED have been listed at $2,000 per acre, and that the tax treatment of large facilities is affected by state law and tax increment financing rules; staff pointed commissioners and the public to studies by Lawrence Berkeley Lab and the Brattle Group about electricity price drivers and impacts of large loads.

Community concerns remained detailed and specific: speaker Evan Barrett said he had heard conflicting water figures (developers at times said they did not need water, and at other times were described as requiring millions of gallons per day), warned that tax increment financing may capture new tax growth for 15–30 years and reduce near‑term local tax benefits, and urged the council to ensure residents are fully informed before any final action.

Bordoon recommended the council review noise ordinances used by other jurisdictions where data centers operate 24/7; staff said TED zoning includes decibel and vibration limits for the Ramsey Industrial Zone (RM‑2) and that companies must meet those standards. Staff also noted the next procedural opportunities for public input: a Montana Connections TED board meeting scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14 at noon — where a Sabey representative is expected to attend — and that if Horizons exercises its option to purchase, the sale resolution will be presented to the council with public comment allowed.

Quote: "The purchase and sale agreement includes 606.5 acres of Butte‑Silver Bow land in the Montana Connections Targeted Economic Development District," staff said in response to a question about footprint.

Why it matters: Residents asked probing technical and procedural questions about water sourcing, wastewater handling, noise and lighting, and the distribution of tax benefits. Staff emphasized that several of those answers require due diligence and design details and that any significant infrastructure upgrades would be the responsibility of the user under existing TED terms.

What happens next: Staff will post written answers to the submitted questions as an attachment to the communication; the MTED board will meet Nov. 14 and may provide additional information; any exercise of an option to purchase by Horizons Montana LLC will require a council resolution and provide another public comment opportunity.