CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

05-04-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met on Thursday, May 04 2023, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Rod Tauck, Chairman; Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman and Pamela Castleberry, member were present.

Special meeting with Don Hotter of Don’s Electric at 10 a.m.

The Commissioners and Don looked over the options available for the upgrade of the new hospital generator. Don and Commissioner Tauck walked through the Hospital building. Don will contact the Commission when he’s looked it over.

The meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Mike Watkins, Vice-Chairman

Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board

05-08-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, May 08 2023, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Rod Tauck, Chairman Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman and Pamela Castleberry, member were present.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. by Chairman Rod Tauck.

There was no public comment.

The commission read the grazing lease for the old airport property and discussed proposed changes.

There was discussion regarding the up coming meeting with K-TAB and ADAAPTA that will take place May 23 and 24 for community input on the use of the old hospital building.

The health savings plan from Joint Powers Trust was presented by Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright. The health savings plan would have a lower premium but a $4,000 deductible. This is higher than the quote for traditional insurance presented by Mr. Hablitzel last week. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to stick with the $500.00 deductible option. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for April 28, and May 01, 2023. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to accept Joe Schmid’s resignation from the Road and Bridge Department. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment. The motion carried.

There was an update by Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright that included several Human Resource topics, Document search for the Durm RD and the Credit Card limits as per Stockman’s Bank.

Carter County received notice that they qualified for the Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) in the amount of $30,000. The funds are earmarked to update the County Growth Policy.

Attorney Harrington joined the meeting. There was a review of the grazing lease agreement and discussion regarding the writ of Review on the Durm RD.

Dahl Memorial CEO. Ryan Tooke joined the meeting where he spoke to the commission regarding the up coming contract renew for Consulting services with CAH Solutions. Current contract with CAH Solutions ends June 30, 2023. Dahl Memorial is considering a consulting contract with Fence Line Solutions LLC for operations with the possibility of a separate company for financial consulting. Dahl will continue the contract with Stewart Kirkpatrick for counsel. Ryan was on recess from another meeting and will schedule appointment to review the quarterly reports with the Commission at a later date.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the early warrant in the amount of $1,150.86 to the United States Post Office for postage. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12 p.m. and was called to order at 1 p.m.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to hire Stefan Livingston as Weed Supervisor and Taylor Kuntz as the Office Manager for the Weed Department, as per the Weed Board recommendations. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Ekalaka Volunteer Fire Department Chef Mark Wright and Department member Pat Strickland joined the meeting with a request to lease the Old airport property to be used to house a new Fire Hall or Fire Building Complex. There are grants available for the building if the Fire Department can find a suitable property.

The County is in the process of udating the Comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan (CCIP). Part of the plan includes finding a new location for the weed shop. The location is not ideal for the service needs of the County and producers. The County also has a request on the CCIP for a rural fire building. The Commission will give some thought to the usage and lease of the old airport acreage as it is coming up for lease in June 2023. Mark and Pat left the meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:18 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Mike Watkins, Vice-Chairman

Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board