CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

05-23-2024

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, May 23, 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 received a call from Bob Donndelinger from Victory Insurance. Deputy Treasurer/Payroll Clerk Cecile Smith-Kuehn joined the meeting. Bob explained the Workers Compensation insurance experience rating that will save Carter County approximately 26% on the 2024-2025. After reviewing quotes from Stated Workers Compensation and Victory Insurance, Commissioner Watkins made a motion to accept the Workers Compensation Insurance quote from Victory Insurance. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Dave Price called into the meeting with Public Comment in support to keep the pilot that is currently working with the ground men.

Deputy Clerk and Recorder Dana Eshelman joined the meeting where the budget was discussed including the Alzada Cemetery grant to install a cemetery directory. Dana left the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the mutual aid agreement between Ekalaka Fire Department and Carter County effective July 01, 2024. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Tauck signed the Landowner Consultation form for the Heggan Creek Gravel Pit.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting where he discussed the progress on the lease between the Carter County Geological Society and Carter County.

Predator Board member Jeff Tauck joined the meeting.

The Commission received a call from Don's Electric regarding the generator install and repairs to the electrical system. The parts for the repair are on order with Muth Electric and must be installed and working properly before the generator project can be completed.

Joining the meeting to request immediate assistance to replace the aerial hunter include, Rodney Walker, Montana Department of livestock District 17 Investigator Jake Eshelman, Evan Waters Finance an Account Bureau Chief with The Department of Livestock, Charlie Williams, Matt Borchgevink Predator Board member and Carter County Attorney Corbit Harrington.

The discussion included allowing the Ground men with current contracts with Carter County to fly with the newly contracted Aerial hunter. This would only be allowable if it is in the current Groundmen's contracts and /or the Aerial hunter carries Workers Compensation insurance on the Ground men.

The current contract with Mark Huesby cannot be transferred to another pilot.

The Predator Control permission slips signed by the landowners will be required to be updated with current groundmen and aerial hunter.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve a short-term contract of approximately 30 days with Dustin Drews from Air Dakota Flite with the condition that they provide Workers Compensation Exception, liability insurance and licenses required. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There was discussion regarding the Predator Control program budget for 2024-2025 as well as the collection of livestock fees, predation and reporting livestock numbers to the Department of Revenue.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12:05 and reconvened at 1:05 p.m.

2024-2025 Ekalaka Library Budget review guests included Librarian Patricia Kalstrom and Assistant Librarian Torey Spring. Torey presented the patron usage and programs provided by the library this year. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to continue $12,000.00 budget for the Library. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Patricia and Torey left the meeting.

Carter County Weed Coordinator Stefan Livingston joined the meeting with a request for a credit card limit increase. The Weed District requests the increase to purchase an Ipad for mapping and 2 side-by-­side axles. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to increase the Weed District credit limit $1,000.00 each month through July 2024. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Stefan left the meeting.

The meeting was joined by Town of Ekalaka Mayor Buck Kratzer. The Town would like to purchase gravel from the Loken Pit from the County. The Town would haul and spread the gravel. The County leases the Loken Pit and therefore cannot sell the gravel.

The Town is currently working on the sewer line project and is looking into a paving project and a bridge replacement.

The request was made by Buck to move the sprinkler heads in the new hospital lawn on Park St. The Commission suggested speaking with Dahl Memorial interim CEO Shelia Sherman regarding removal of the sprinkler heads. Buck left the meeting.

Cam LaBree and Seth Whitney of the Carter County Fair Board joined the meeting to present the 2024-2025 budget. They requested an increase in pay for the judges to $150.00 per day for an inside judge and $225.00 a day for an outside judge as these amounts are in line with several other County fair pay schedules.

Cam and Seth presented a few of the upgrades the board would like to provide to the facilities including replacing the lights for the night show and a long-term project of replacing the barn. These projects would likely be partially funded with grants. Cam and Seth left the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the commission proceedings for April 30th and May 06th, 2024. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Matt Borchgevink stepped into the meeting with questions regarding the aerial hunter contract. There was a call placed to County Attorney Corbit Harrington to assist in answering Matt's questions. Corbit reiterated that all contracts for aerial hunters carry Workers Compensation Insurance.

Predator Control through Carter County should be with the County and not the groundmen and that all contracts must be signed and proof of insurance, Workers Compensation coverage or exception, and licenses need to be in place before work can begin. Matt left the meeting and the call ended with Corbit.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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

05-31-2024

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Friday, May 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, 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.

County Maintenance Bob Jacobs joined to let the Commission know that the Old Hospital underground fuel tank will have to be inspected even though it is empty and no longer in use. DEQ will not require an inspection if the tank is removed before August 03, 2024. The Commission agreed to start the removal process.

Bob requested and was granted permission to order LED lighting tubes and a battery-operated weed eater. Bob left the meeting.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting with a request for the commission to update the Personnel Policy to clarify leave slips for vacation and sick leave. The was discussion regarding employee leave slips and a review of the policy. Judy left the meeting.

The Commissioners approved Payroll in the amount of $283,859.65 and Claims in the amount of $328,206.54.

The Commission placed a call to Muggli Construction of Miles City to request a quote to remove the Old Hospital fuel tank.

The was a call from Don Hotter of Don's Electric with word that a technician from Easton will install the electrical busses at the hospital when the new busses have been manufactured.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to sign the service agreement with Sealey and Associates OBA of Roundup, MT, for drug and alcohol testing. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting where the Board discussed the predator control contracts.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright stepped into the meeting to inform the Commission that the opiate settlement funds have been released to Carter County and turned over to Eastern Montana Community Mental Health.

Pool Fund Committee member Christina Shepard joined the meeting. She stated that the pool itself, pool house and mechanical equipment are in disrepair to the point of needing replaced. The past Committee members have raised two thirds of the funds to complete the replacement of the pool at the same size as the original. There is a drawing for this plan and Christina has contacted a pool company from North Dakota that could complete the project. The Committee would like to start work on the 25x50 ft pool in the fall of 2024 and complete the pool house in the spring of 2025. Christina is requesting financial assistants from Carter County as well as grants, donations or low interest loans. The Commissioners agreed to look into providing some financial assistance to the Pool Committee. They will meet with Christina again to see when the Commission has reviewed the budget.

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

Stefan Livingston, Weed Coordinator and Taylor Kuntz Weed District Administrative Assistant and Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting to review the Weed Department 2024-2025 budget.

Stefan is currently discussing with the Weed Board the possibility of replacing the Ford Pickup truck with a new crew cab and replacing one of the side by sides. The Commission suggested a vehicle replacement schedule of 3 years on side by sides and 5 years on the pickup trucks. The funding is in the budget for replacement of one side by side and possibly a pickup with a flat bed and all the spray equipment.

The Commission signed the Capitol Area MDA Grant 2024-032 for $24,793.00. Stefan and Taylor left the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the one-month aerial contract with Air Dakota Flite and pilot Dustin Drews. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Justice of the Peace Kathy Rosencranz and Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting with the Justice of the Peace office 2024-2025 Budget. Kathy left all line items the same except salaries that will be filled in after the salary compensation board meetings.

Amanda Williams, Carter County Extension Agent meeting and presented the 2024-2025 County Extension Budget and the Camp Needmore Budget. Amanda requested permission to increase the salary line item for the Extension Program.

The Camp Needmore requested increase in Capital outlay for the cabin rehab projects and pavilions. They have plans to use the Grant to install reverse osmosis system in the main hall. Amanda left the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for May 13, 2024. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to join the Montana National Resources Coalition of Counties. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

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