It’s a small sample size so far but nearly half of respondents to an ongoing survey say Butte-Silver Bow’s form of government is ineffective and nearly two-thirds think a city manager in charge of day-to-day operations should be explored.

Out of just over 200 responses so far, 59% say 12 part-time commissioners — which is how the council is set up today — is too many.

About 61% of respondents support having fewer commissioners if they serve as full-time representatives. Support for a smaller council drops to 51% if commissioners remain part-time as they are now.

On a more narrow, hot-button issue — one that made headlines for months this year — 60% of respondents rated the relationship between paid and volunteer fire departments as either very or somewhat ineffective. Only 11% gave it p

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