CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

02-25-2024

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, February 15, 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 Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman, were present. Pamela Castleberry, member was absent.

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

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting with measurements for the hospital employee parking area.

DES Coordinator Georgia Bruski stepped into the meeting with Workers Compensation and Liability Insurance paperwork, requested from the Commission for the Stewardship Thinning Funding Agreement.

Senior Coordinator Tricia Lovec joined the meeting requesting approval of the application for Senior house keeper. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to hire Diane Wear for Senior housekeeper. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Senior Transportation plan and operation grant. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The commission received a call from Eric Lepisto Field Manager from the Miles City BLM office. He called to confirm the public meeting for the Carbon Sequestration meeting at the Carter County Event Center in Ekalaka, March 5th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., 2024.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the letter of approval of Reta Malenovsky’s removal from employment probation to permanent employment status from Justice of the Peace Kathleen Rosencranz. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Engineers Greg Benjamin, Dax Simek of Stahly, Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting virtually. Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke, County Attorney Corbit Harrington, Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting to review plans for the employee parking at the new hospital.

There was discussion regarding utility line conflicts, drainage, and the concrete area including sidewalks. The decision was made to survey the area and locate utilities before making the final decision on the areas to resurface.

The commissioners received a letter from Sheriff Kittlemann regarding the employment of part time reserve officer Jay Beach.

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to sign the Airport reimbursement AIP 3-30-0025-016-2023 in the amount of $42,145.20. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

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

Montana State University Regional Manager Larry Brence, Deputy Clerk and Recorder Dana Eshelman and Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting were the was discussion regarding Carter County's request for a full time County Extension Agent. The request was reviewed by Executive Director Dr. Cody Stone. There may be funding available for the position beginning in fiscal year 20224-2025. Carter County would be required to follow up with specifics, including but not limited to, showing budget funds to support position, work with MSU and Fallon County on a transition. The position would be advertised open to all. The guests left the meeting.

Dr. Sabre Moore joined the meeting to provide an update on the Carter County Museums efforts to acquire the funding for the Museum expansion. Sabre is in the process of applying for the USDA Rural Economic Grant. This grant will require an Environmental study that will be performed by New Fields Environmental and funded through the Museums Capital improvement budget.

Sabre is also in the process of applying for the Montana Historical Preservation Grant that if awarded would be received in 2026-2027. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign a letter of support for the application of the Montana Historical Preservation Grant. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Commission proceedings from January 31, 2023. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Watkins moved to have gravel and rock stockpiled by the County Road Department for the use on the Mormon Street project and the hospital parking lot project. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the commission proceedings from February 05, 2024. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion was approved.

Commissioner Watkins made a motion to sign the POC Transact RX forms for Medicare billing required for Carter County Public Health. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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