CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

11-06-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 06, 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 9 a.m. by Vice-Chairman.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to request that Amanda Williams the Fallon / Carter Extension Agent work in the Carter County office two days a week in reference to the 40/60 cost share with Fallon Co. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Castleberry gave an update on the Snowy River Denbury Carbon Capture meeting that she attended last week in Ekalaka. This was a part of the extended Comment period on the proposed project.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Stefan Livingston, County Weed District Supervisor, and Taylor Kuntz County Weed District Office Manager joined the meeting with a County weed plan update. They have summarized and condensed several sections of the document to make it more user friendly.

The Weed District will renew the membership for the NWCA, attend winter training, and reintroduce the producers cost share program. Stefan and Taylor have requested a MOU with Southeast Electric that will be sent to Attorney Harrington and approved by the Weed Board and the Southeast Board. The Carter County Weed District will hold a spring Spray Days in February 2024 and work with County Extension winter ag series.

The Commissioner Watkins and Castleberry signed the personnel Policy that supersedes all polices previously adopted.

Tracey Walker Carter County Superintendent of Schools stepped into the meeting to speak to Commissioner Watkins of the Transportation Board.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for October 31, 2023. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

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

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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

11-13-2023

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.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright stepped into the meeting to update the emergency contract list for the elevator at the courthouse and a Human Resources update.

The Commission completed the 2023 Municipal Election Canvas. There were 151 voted ballots with 2 write-ins. Andrew Wright received 89 votes and Ross Phelps received 59 votes.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve an early warrant in the amount of $290,549.00 for the purchase of an ambulance from Apgar Ambulance of Kalispell, MT. The purchase will be made with LATCF COVID funds. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.

Carter County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting with information on the new Sony Road grader purchased by the County in July 2023. Due to numerous mechanical issues with the grader it has been returned to DSR Inc. The company plans to send a replacement road grader with all the mechanical issues corrected.

Mary from BEK TV has offered air time and production of a commercial to promote Carter County, Ekalaka and the surrounding areas. The Commissioners agreed that they are not interested in funding commercial air-time on BEK “Another View” at this time.

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

Greg Benjamin Engineer and Amy Stiner CFO of Helena Office of Stahly Engineering joined the meeting to introduce Amy to the Commissioners. She will be taking on the duties in County Services for Stahly.

The was discussion on the plans and next steps on the old hospital property. Greg and Amy left the meeting.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve 2 payroll checks that were re-issued. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Commission discussed the Snowy River Carbon Capture project meeting.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the encroachment permit to allow Josh Stieg to bore under Old Baker Hwy to install a waterline. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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

11-20-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 20, 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.

Senior Citizens Coordinator Tricia Lovec requested signatures from the Commission on the Area one (1) Agency on Aging contract.

Commissioner Tauck received word from Bob Jacobs that there has been water leaking in the old hospital building from the water shut offs that do not work. Bob has installed space heaters to keep the pipes, shut-off and meters from freezing.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright stated that Travelers Insurance will come pick up the 1996 Peterbilt truck that was wrecked on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

Judy also spoke about the Cyber-security review in which it was recommended that the County not allow remote access to the server. This prevents any chance of a cyber-attack and speaks to the County policy that does not allow remote work.

Commissioner Castleberry gave an over view of the Stockgrowers meeting that she attended last week were there was a discussion of the Livestock protection funds.

The Commissioners placed a call to Lisa Rieger of the Department of Revenue regarding the taxation of the Snowy River Carbon Capture pipeline. She suggested that the Commission place a call to Doug Roehm.

Doug returned the phone call to let the Commission know that he would look into the taxation of the pipeline. He stated that it will be a Class 15 pipeline and that there will be cost and income will be done by the Department of Revenue, but this will take place several years from now when the pipeline is actually completed.

Commissioner Castleberry left the meeting.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp and Brandon Neary candidate for employment for the road crew, joined the meeting. There was a brief discussion regarding benefits and duties of the position. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the hire of Brandon Neary. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Brandon left the meeting.

The Commissioners and Carl discussed the replacement of the 1992 Peterbilt truck that was wrecked last week. Carl has located a 2024 Western Star truck. The Commission called Bob Denning of Denning, Downing and Associate for advice on the purchase of a truck.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright presented a letter of employment for Brandon Neary to the Commissioner for signature.

The commission made an emergency decision to purchase the 2024 49x model Western Star, due to the estimated time to order and receive a new truck would be over 18 months. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to purchase the 2024 Western Star truck in the amount of $124,900.00. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

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

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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