CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

01-16-2024

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 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 by chairman Rod Tauck.

Bob Jacobs, County Maintenance stepped into the meeting to let the commission know that Precision Mechanical will be here next week to repair the heater in the Attorneys office.

The Commission and Bob discussed the Water shut offs in the old hospital and demo of the Stenseth house.

The Commission agreed to change the next meeting date from Thursday, January 18th to Monday, January 22, 2024 due to a lack of a quorum.

Commissioner Tauck received word from Don Hotter of Dons Electric, that the components for the hospital generator project will be in hand Mid-February.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright stepped into the meeting to let the commissioners know that she will be out of the office next week as well as several months starting in February.

Fallon-Carter County Extension Agent Amanda Williams joined the meeting to request a change of office hours in the Ekalaka office. She has the option of coming down on Monday as well as using her personal vehicle rather than using Fallon County vehicle. The Commissioners have no preference on the days that Amanda is in the office. She elected to leave the Ekalaka office day as Tuesday and Thursday.

Carter County 4-H Shooting sports Invitational will be hosted in Baker the first week in February. Carter County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

The Commission reviewed several emails regarding information on the legislative requirement to record audio of the Commission proceedings. This will be required by July, 2024.

Muggli Construction Quote: Commissioner Watkins made the motion to Contract Muggli Construction to demolish the County owned Stenseth house at 305 Putman St and the wooden garage on Sandy St. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.

Attorney Harrington present the commissioners with a draft of a volunteer form to be used by the County in the event of members of the Community volunteering to assist with County organized activities or duties.

County Custodian Kristy Bruce and her husband Dean Bruce joined the meeting to discuss letter from HR to Kristy. She expressed her grievances and concerns regarding the communication and work expected. The Commission will have Dean sign up as a volunteer when the form is approved. Kristy and Dean left the meeting.

Attorney Harrington provided information on the upcoming changes to the process of updating the 911 addressing system. This would include approval forms and an appeals process.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Commissioners Proceedings from January 08, 2024. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously

The meeting broke for lunch from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting to let the Commission know that she and Deputy Clerk and Recorder Dana Eshelman will be attending Elections training the first part of February.

The Commission called AV Capture to inquire about purchasing software used to record the Commissioners meeting. Josh of AV Capture set up an appointment to review the program with the Commissioners at the January 22, 2024 meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk of the Board

01-22-2024

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, January 22, 2024, 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 by chairman Rod Tauck.

DES Coordinator - Sheriffs Administrative Assistant Georgia Bruski joined the meeting with information on the BLM Fire Mitigation Grant application is in the amount of $41,650.00. Georgia will provide the final grant application for signature when she receives it.

Tricia Lovec, Senior Coordinator joined the meeting. Senior housekeeper has resigned, therefor; Tricia placed an ad for a replacement for the 30 hour a month position.

Tricia also has a transportation Grant application near completion. A bus and Toyota van have been approved, but not received by Carter County at this time. Tricia left the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the MOU with Department of Health and Human Services. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

The commissioners filled out the airport insurance questionnaire, and applications with a call to Airport Board President Troy Fruit. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Airport Insurance renewal with Northwest Insurance Group. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Attorney Harrington left the meeting.

The Commission joined an online Teams meeting with Greg Benjamin and Dax Simek Engineers from Stahly Engineering as well as Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright and Contractor Mark Wright. This meeting was to explore plans to improve hospital employee parking. Stahly will provide a concept layout for approval as of the January 31, 2024 Commissioners meeting.

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

Treasurer Jesi Pierson joined the Commission for discussion regarding Resolution 01222024-01 that would fix the 2024 fiscal year Second half property tax to include the 17.1 additional mills not levied as part of the litigation with the Montana Supreme Court and Montana Counties. Jesi left the meeting.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve Resolution 0122204-01 to levy 17.1 total mills for State equalization Aid, high school equalization aid and County Grade School equalization aid as determined by the Montana Department of Revenue. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Commissioners joined an online Zoom meeting with Chad Swanson and Alexandra Nwdike of AV CaptureALL where Chad presented a demonstration of the software that could be used to record the commissioner’s meetings. This will become a requirement in 2024 as per Montana House Bill 890. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to contract for the Basic plan with AV CaptureALL for the purpose of recording and posting Carter County Commissioners meetings. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. The meeting with Chad and Alexandra ended at 3:48.

There was discussion regarding upcoming meetings and appointments. The Commission agreed to meet on January 31, 2024. There will be no meeting January 25, 2024. The meetings for February will be 5th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk of the Board