Your Community Builder
Your Community Builder
04-30-2024
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 30, 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 at 9 a.m. by Chairman Rod Tauck.
Public comment - Commissioner Castleberry attended the Eastern Montana Economic Development Housing Meeting.
The Commissioners approved payroll in the amount of $215,807.79 and claims in the amount of $165,219.17.
County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.
Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke joined the meeting for the Ambulance lease agreement. There was discussion regarding adding the 1998 two-wheel drive ambulance to the agreement. Deputy Clerk and Recorder/ EMT Dana Eshelman stepped into the meeting with information on the 1998 two-wheel drive ambulance. It is not currently ready for service and would require restocking numerous supplies and may be required to be retrofitted with a power load. The commissioners recommend that the 1998 ambulance not be included in the lease agreement and suggested that it be sold and replaced if there is a need for a replacement.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the ambulance lease agreement for the 2022 Ford F350 and 2012 Ford F450 ambulance with Dahl Memorial Health Care Association. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Ryan and Dana left the meeting.
Chip Dye joined the meeting with questions regarding a petition to abandon a right away across his property.
The Commissioners held a Snowy River Co2 meeting in the Courtroom of the Carter County Courthouse. Guests included representatives from BLM, Denbury Carbon Solutions, Exxon Mobil, EPA Region 8, Burns and McDonnell, Carter County Museum, and Southeast Electric and approximately 25 members of the public.
Topics of discussion included a time line of events presented by Erma Nansel, BLM leading up to the current stage of the project.
The Landowners stated that there has been a lack of notifications regarding the project. The Commissioners spoke to a concern for the impact on water, land use for livestock and the safety of the community in the event of a blowout or leak. There were several requests for BLM to require an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement). The meeting in the Courtroom adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
The Commission met in the Commissioners chambers to set the agenda for the May 06, 2024 meeting.
There was also discussion regarding the Co2 pipeline safety, emergency response and Land Use and Cooperative Agreements.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman
Attest:/s/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk of the Board
05-06-2024
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, May 06, 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 at 9 a.m. by Chairman Rod Tauck. There was no public comment.
The Commission discussed publishing the Audio recording of the Snowy River Co2 Sequestration meeting with the Commissioners on May 30, 2024. They agreed to publish the recording on the County website.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the FAA amendment to the contract# AIP 32-30-0025- 012-20. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Commissioner Tauck spoke to Don's Electric, arrangements have been made with Don's Electric and Muth Electric to install replacement buses at the new hospital building sometime in June 2024.
Attorney Harrington joined the meeting.
Dahl Memorial Hospital Board Chair Georgia Bruski, Dahl Board member John Marks and acting Dahl CEO Shelia Sherman joined the meeting for introductions and plans for Dahl moving forward. There was discussion on responsibilities of maintenance of the building and the County Hospital mill levy that is on the ballot this year.
The meeting broke for lunch at 12 p.m. and reconvened at 1 p.m.
Sabre Moore Ph.D. Carter County Museum Executive Director, Tye William Southeast Electric General Manager, Llane Carroll Museum Board member and Attorney Harrington joined the meeting to the Carter County Museum and Geological Society expansion project. Sabre outlined the plan for funding the project with a USDA loan through Southeast Electric, Community Facility Program, grants and donations. There was discussion of the possible need for an agreement between the County, Geological Society and the Museum with regard to funding the addition and 15,000 sq. ft. new building. The project is slated to break ground in 2026. Sabre, Tye and Llane left the meeting.
Stefan Livingston, Weed District Coordinator and Administrative Assistant Taylor Kuntz joined the meeting.
Commissioner Watkins moved to approve Weed District Coordinator Stefan Livingston from employee probation. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
The Commission approved the purchase of a quote for a new XP Ranger side by side with tank and booms installed for approximately $25,000.
Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the 5 applicants for that Stefan interviewed including an increase in hourly wage for 3rd year employee Anthony Gansen to $21.00 per hour. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Taylor and Stefan presented an updated private spraying billing schedule. Taylor will prepare letters of employment to the newly hired seasonal weed crew. Stefan and Taylor left the meeting.
Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to accept the 2024-2025 Health insurance quote for Joint Powers Trust. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
The was a review of the agenda for the May 13, 2024 meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:38 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman
Attest:/s/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk of the Board
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