CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

06-30-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met on Friday June 30, 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.

Tricia Lovec, Senior Coordinator and Judy Wright, Clerk and Recorder joined the meeting. Tricia reported the meals on wheels driver will be on medical leave. Tricia will look into having one of the senior transport drivers deliver meals while the regular driver is out.

Georgia Bruski, DES Coordinator stepped into the meeting to request a signature for Fire mitigation funds. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the signature. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The commission approved payroll in the amount of $254,817.09 and Claims in the amount of $827,375.38.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright will cancel the claim for Otis elevator. She is in contact with Otis elevator regarding the bill.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the proceedings for June 12, 19, and 22, 2023. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting were there was a discussion of legislative updates.

The meeting broke for lunch at 11:50 a.m. and was called to order at 1:07 p.m.

Predator Control contracts; The meeting was attended by Predator Board member Jeff Tauck, Carter County landowners and producers as well as Predator Control Contractor Robbie Fix.

The contracts for the 2023- 2024 for were offered to all of the Predator control contractors except Last Howl. Robbie Fix was offered a contract for $23.800.00 last year and $15,000.00 this year, while the other contractors received an increase in their contracts. He stated that he has more than fulfilled his duties of his contract and has spreadsheets to show the work completed by all of the contractors.

There was discussion regarding the Predator program budget and the FWP funds.

There were comments from the producers; including the lack of communication between the ground trappers and the aerial contractor and the contracts for the trappers were not set at the same amount. There was also a suggestion to contract a hunter in each district who is hired under the exact same contract with the aerial contractor spending the same number of hours in each district. It was suggested that the Predator Board prepare a management plan, similar to the County Weed management plan.

Attorney Harrington suggested that the Predator Board offer the trappers equal contracts for all hunters/ trappers.

The producers requested a follow up meeting with the Predator Board that Jeff and Stacey agreed to schedule at a later date.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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

07-03-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met on Thursday June 12, 2023, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman and Pamela Castleberry, member were present; Rod Tauck Chairman was absent.

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by Commissioner Watkins and there was no public comment.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve an early warrant in the amount of $17,995.00 for the Predator control program payment for Husby Flying Service. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion and there was no public comment.

Weed Department Surplus Property sealed bid opening: Stefan Livingston, Weed Supervisor and Taylor Kuntz, Manager joined the meeting.

Two (2) Honda ATV’s: bids received from, David Morgan $1776.00, Mark Bruski $1876.00, Stefanie Harrington $565.00, Ernie Melum $1757.00 and $1759.00, Diane Wear $600.00.

25-gallon Jack Rabbit sprayers (2): bids received from, Ernie Melum $25.00, Mark Bruski $226.00.

Box Trailer: bid received from, Ernie Melum $25.00

250-gallon skid sprayer: bids received Ernie Melum $277.00, Marleen Waterland $351.00, Jess Brost $706.00.

55-gallon UTV sprayers (2) Ernie Melum $177.00 (gas) and $77.00 (electric), Jess Borst $355.00 (gas) and $355.00 (electric)

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the sale to the items advertised for sealed bid to the highest bidder. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 1:46 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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

07-10-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met on Friday July 10, 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.

Chad Shepard joined the meeting to request permission to use the Carter County Event Center for AAU Wrestling practice. The commission approved with the stipulation that Chad provide proof of liability insurance and schedule with the Clerk and Recorders office.

The Commission reviewed the final draft of the County Personnel Policy. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the final draft of the Personnel Policy. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Tauck gave a brief over view of the hospital generator plans.

The commission considered uses for the Local Assistance and Tribal Contingency Funds (LATC) and Safe Rural Schools (SRS) fund. LATC funds maybe used for ambulance replacement, Old hospital building reuse revitalization or other building projects. The SRS funds have uses dictated by the amount and by population of the County receiving the funds. The categories are Title I: roads and school. Title II: Projects on Federal lands. Title III: County Projects including fire services and emergency services. The commission contacted Todd Devlin, Prairie County Commissioner and Eric Bryson of MACo with questions of how to allocate the funds.

The Commission received a call from Robie Culver of Stahly Engineering. She will be unable to facilitate the Land Planning meetings this afternoon. The meeting with the Planning Board will be set for 3:30 p.m. and the Public Open House will be scheduled for July 27, 2023 at the Event Center in Ekalaka.

Commissioner Castleberry approved the reissued warrant for Evergreen Prosper - for Days of ‘85 entertainment. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve leave for Senior Coordinator Tricia Lovec. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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