CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

10-10-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on October 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 and Pamela Castleberry, member were present. Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman was absent.

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

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting during public comment to update the commission on the new ambulance purchase from Apgar Ambulance. It is a 2022 diesel with a 2023 chasey for $288,749.00. Judy would like to add a grill guard for $1,800.00 which the Commission agreed to purchase.

Carter County Personnel Policy discussion. The Policy was updated and will sent to all employees for review with a comment period ending October 31, 2023. The Policy will be signed by the Commission after the comment Period; with signatures from employees following the commission.

The meeting was joined by County Attorney Corbit Harrington, Treasurer Jesi Peirson, and Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright. Jesi presented the Treasurers report with documents Ll00, L160, R100, L110.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve Resolution 10102023-01 and 10102023-02 to remove delinquent taxes in the Town of Ekalaka for 2 mobile homes owned by Jed Larson. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There was discussion regarding survey for the Drum Rd. Attorney Harrington will present Petitions for the changes to the Drum Rd as well as the Medicine Rocks Rd. Survey for the Roads will be completed in the coming months.

The Commission discussed the statewide 95 mills vs 77.9 mills litigation with the Counties and the Montana Quality Education Coalition.

The Commission discussed the Old Hospital property future use including house and out-buildings across the street.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to grant amendment request for increase cost of FAA funds for hanger# AIP- 012-SF-271. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Taylor Kuntz, Carter County Weed District Office Manager joined the meeting to share that the Fallon/Carter Spray days have been set for November 14, 2023 in Fallon Co. Exhibit Hall from 8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for September 11th, 14th, 18th, and 29th. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There was discussion regarding the upcoming requirement for Commissioners proceedings to be recorded, audio only and posted online. Technical information maybe available from Montana Association of Counties (MACo) and Local Technical Assistance programs through Montana State University.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12:05 p.m. and reconvened at 1:03 p.m.

Carter County Airport Board president Troy Fruit joined the meeting for the Airport Master plan discussion. Troy placed a call to Craig Canfield of KLG for an update. The Airport runway plan as been sent to the FAA for approval. Carter County received a grant to partially cover of the cost of the Master Plan.

The next steps are surveys of the location of the (AWOS) Automated surface weather observation station and runway extension as well as land easements. The FAA has approved the location for the AWOS therefore the County may request bids for the installation of the AWOS in the next few weeks. The call ended with Craig.

Troy reported that the September 29, 2023 fly-in went well despite the wind. The Airport Board continues to improve and update the online directory, pilots lounge to promote the airport. Troy left the meeting.

County Treasurer Jesi Pierson joined the meeting where there was discussion regarding the 95 mill levy litigation. All 56 counties are named in a Writ of Mandate filed by the Montana quality Education Coalition with regard to the calculation of the statewide mill authorized by Montana Code Ann. 20-9-331,333 and 360.

The Commission discussed the Comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan and the ADAAPTA draft community engagement and replied to correspondence.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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

10-16-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on October 16, 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.

The Commission discussed the BLM / Denbury Snowy River Carbon Capture meeting that was held in Ekalaka on Thursday October 12, 2023. Dan and Roxie Dinstil called in to voice their concerns regarding the planned Carbon Capture and the possible effects on the County lands, water and roads. They requested that the commission send a letter to the Miles City Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office requesting to extend the comment period on the proposed plan.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp and Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting for the review of the Drum Rd and Medicine Rocks Road draft petition. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the form and content of the proposed petition allowing the changes to the easements of the Drum and Medicine Rocks Roads. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Montana Association of Counties (MACo) has retained counsel with Crowley Fleck to represent all 56 Counties in the on-going dispute regarding the calculation of statewide mill authority. Carter County Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve Resolution 10162023-01 that would authorize MACo to represent the interests of the County seeking judgement from the Montana Supreme Court regarding Statewide mills. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Katie Lucas joined the meeting via phone for a follow up on the Old hospital redevelopment plans. The next steps include market research, demographics in the Western United States and financial costs for the top 4 options from the Community Engagement Report, including Senior Center, Food Bank/ County Health, Rec Center and Ambulance services. Katie requested contact information needed to continue research. ADAAPTA will report back by the end of November.

Chairman Rod Tauck signed the 203-2024 Inmate medical insurance agreement with (CRS) Correctional Risk Services Inc.

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

Forest Service District Ranger Kurt Hansen joined the meeting with information on upcoming prescribed burn and the completion of approximately 300 acres of thinning contracts in the Ekalaka Hills. The Forest Service is set to redesign the culverts on Box Elder Creek. Kurt will return with documents on the Box Elder Creek culvert design and the Mcnab prescribed burn at the October 26th Commissioners meeting.

The Commission penned a letter to the Miles City BLM office requesting an extension of the comment period for the Denbury Snowy River Carbon Capture project.

Montana Extension Service Regional Department Head Larry Brence joined the meeting to review the Fallon/ Carter Extension program. There was discussion of the financial split between the Counties and the Extension as well as employee hours and duties.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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