CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

01-31-2024

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 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 by chairman Rod Tauck.

Justice of The Peace Kathy Rosencranz and Deputy Justice of the Peace Reta Melnovesky joined the meeting for Reta’s 6-month probation review.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the payroll earnings and benefits for January in the amount of $284,253.67. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.

The Commission discussed the possibility of a full time Extension Agent position for Carter County.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the claims for January in the amount of $146,177.81. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Deputy Clerk and Recorder Dana Eshelman stepped into the meeting to answer questions on claim for pest control for Camp Needmore. There was also a discussion regarding the rental fees and deposit as well as possible cabin improvements. Dana left the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins called into the meeting by phone.

Engineers Greg Benjamin and Dax Simek from Stahly Engineering, Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting through on line Teams Meet. Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke and Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp, Attorney Harrington joined in person to review the Concept layout of the employee parking area for the new hospital.

There was discussion regarding drainage of the streets around the hospital and the parking area.

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

Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke and Dahl Memorial Board President Georgia Bruski joined the meeting for the official request for a 2-year Special levy in the amount of $260,000.00.

Georgia left the meeting.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to turn the levy over to the election official to be added to be added to the ballot. There was discussion regarding the request by Commissioner Tauck for accounting for use of the funds. This will be provided by Dahl Memorial. There was some discussion on the language that would be used on the levy to encompass what the funds are used for. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

One of the air handlers at the hospital failed during the cold snap two weeks ago. It has since been repaired, but there is still issues with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Ryan left the meeting.

Public Health Officer/ Public Health Nurse Kirstie Nelson joined the meeting for a signature on a Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) task Order. The Commissioners placed a call to Carter County Sanitarian Rene Gnere for clarification on the task order.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to sign the Contract for services with AV CaptureAII. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the Commission Proceedings for January 16th and 22nd, 2024. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Commissioners agenda for Monday February 05, 2024 was reviewed, the final agenda for that day will be set Friday, February 02, 2024.

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/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk of the Board

02-05-2024

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, February 05, 2024, 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 by chairman Rod Tauck.

Jay Beach joined the meeting for public comment.

Part-time Public Health Officer/ Public Health Nurse Kirstie Nelson and Public Health Manager Stefanie Harrington joined the meeting. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to accept the resignation of Patricia Laughlin, effective February 28, 2024, for the duties of Part-time Public Health Officer/ Public Health Nurse. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Kirsty and Stefanie both agreed to work with Trish to fill the duties of the Carter County Public Health office that Trish filled. The Public Health Officer (PHO) duties will no longer be split between Kirsty and Patricia. Kirsty agreed to fill the PHO duties, beginning March 1, 2024, with the addition of the $250.00 for a total of $500.00 a month. Carter County Public Health will launch Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in March of 2024.

The Commission prepared a letter requesting a full time County Extension Agent that will be sent to Dr. Cody Stone, MSU Extension Director, Larry Brence, Area Supervisor, and the Fallon County Commissioners. A call was placed to Commissioner Mike Watkins to weigh in on the letter.

The Commission joined a BLM Zoom meeting at 11 a.m. about solar energy development on public lands.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12 p.m. and was called to order at 1 p.m. with the Predator Board present, David Wolff, Lee LaBree, Keith Beach, Jeff Tauck and Mac Tooke. Also present Tell Harmon, County Attorney Corbit Harrington, Rodney Walker and Predator Board Secretary Stacey Ashbrook.

The Resolution 02052023-01 stating that the funds from the Protection fund will be managed in accordance with the Predator Board.

Lee LaBree made the motion to approve to spend Protection funds through the Predator Board for the investigation of predation of livestock, up to $5,000.00. Mac Tooke Seconded the motion. There was discussion on the uses of the funds and the amount that may be needed. The Predator Board would like to be made aware of the amounts spent by way of contacting the Board Chairman.

Lee LaBree amended the motion to set a limit of $2,000.00 and if more funds are required a request will need to be made to the Predator Board. Mac Tooke seconded the amended motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously

The was discussion on increasing the per head livestock tax. The Predator Board and guests left the meeting.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to send a letter of thanks to Patricia Loughlin for her service as Public Health Officer and Public Health Nurse. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to adopt the Carter County Volunteer registration form to be used by any and all persons volunteering for the County. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Carter County Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting with more information regarding the drainage around the new hospital and areas of the parking area. He offered the Road Crew would be available to haul rock or gravel that would be needed for the project.

Carl also gave an update on the replacement of the guardrails on the Highway 7 / Mormon Street Bridge. They are still waiting for parts to complete the pedestrian walk way portion of the bridge.

Attorney Harrington joined the meeting.

Toni Kratzer stepped into the meeting to request signatures on request forms to Southeast Trash LLC of Baker to become licensed to haul the containers from the Ekalaka dump station to the Coral Creek Landfill in Fallon County.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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