Dillon City Council Holds Special Meeting to Address Beaverhead Meats Kill Floor Proposal

July 09, 2025 – The Dillon City Council convened a special meeting on Wednesday, July 9th, to discuss the controversial proposal for a kill floor at Beaverhead Meats. The meeting, which drew a large crowd of concerned citizens, highlighted issues of transparency, enforcement of city codes, and the handling of permits, leaving many questions unanswered.

The meeting began with Mayor McGinley stating that neither the Chief of Police nor the City Attorney had received any permits from Beaverhead Meats regarding the proposed kill floor. However, Councilwoman O’Rourke quickly pointed out discrepancies in the information provided to the Council. She revealed that the City Attorney had spent several hours reviewing the legality of a slaughterhouse floor in Dillon and had even toured the proposed site, costing the city thousands of dollars. O’Rourke expressed frustration, accusing the administration of misleading both the Council and the public.

“It seems like there’s been some sidelining of this issue in hopes that people would just let it go,” O’Rourke said. She also noted that a letter from the Best Western Paradise Inn, which should have been included in the meeting packet, was missing. This omission became a recurring theme throughout the evening, as other missing documents and correspondence were brought up.

Legalities and Enforcement

Chief of Police Alvarez addressed the legalities of the situation, explaining that if the city wants to stop the killing of animals at Beaverhead Meats—which has been occurring for the past 15 years in violation of city code—it would be up to the city to issue an order. The City Attorney provided a letter outlining the steps necessary to enforce this, but it ultimately falls on the Director of Operations to ensure that Beaverhead Meats operates within city codes and ordinances.

Mayor McGinley stated that the Director of Operations, in collaboration with the City Attorney, is drafting a cease-and-desist letter to halt the killing of animals at the facility. However, this raised further questions from Council members and citizens alike. Many were baffled as to why the city has allowed the practice to continue for 15 years, especially after Beaverhead Meats lost a lawsuit against the city over the same issue in the past.

Councilman Deem pointed out that a single formal written complaint could trigger an investigation by the Director of Operations, potentially shutting down the operation. However, despite residents claiming to have filed complaints, no action has been taken. Deem also referenced a video showing the slaughter of animals at the facility, which is on record with David McGinley, a representative of Beaverhead Meats. McGinley himself appeared at the meeting, stating that the company had received a citation from the state prohibiting them from slaughtering animals.

Permitting and Transparency Concerns

The meeting also shed light on broader issues surrounding the city’s permitting process. Several Council members expressed frustration over the Director of Operations’ apparent inconsistency in enforcing building permits. For example, a local bike repair store was required to obtain a change-of-use permit when converting an office space, while Beaverhead Meats was reportedly told they did not need one for converting a taxidermy studio into a kill floor. This selective enforcement has raised eyebrows, with many questioning whether the city is applying its codes fairly.

Council’s Role and Frustrations

The Dillon City Charter grants the Council significant authority, making them the primary decision-making body for the city. However, several Council members voiced frustration over issues being sidestepped and decisions being made without their input. The lack of transparency from the Mayor and Director of Operations has left the Council feeling sidelined and unable to fulfill their role as the voice of the community.

Community Concerns

The meeting concluded with citizens voicing their concerns not only about the proposed kill floor but also about the lack of transparency and accountability in city government. Many expressed frustrations over the handling of the situation behind closed doors and the seemingly selective enforcement of city codes.

As the city moves forward, the next few weeks will be critical in determining how the Council and administration address the Beaverhead Meats issue. The community will be watching closely to see if the city can restore trust and ensure that all businesses are held to the same standards.

For now, the meeting has left more questions than answers, with residents and Council members alike calling for greater transparency and accountability from the Mayor and Director of Operations. The Dillon community remains united in its demand for clarity and fairness in the handling of this and other city matters.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.