CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS (AUGUST 30, 2024)

08-30-2024

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Friday, September 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 9:00 am by Chairman Rod Tauck.

Custodian Kristy Bruce joined the meeting to request leave. She isn't sure of the some of the dates of her absence at this time.

Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Georgia Bruski joined the meeting with a brief update on the emergency drill.

Georgia will be attending the Montana Emergency Management Conference in Butte the first week in October. She requested clarification on the use of the County credit card for the conference. Commissioner Watkins requested that Georgia provide a average usage of the old credit card so that the new card can be used for the Sheriffs Department needs. Georgia left the meeting.

The Commission approved claims in the amount of $157,201.82 and payroll in the amount of $328,993.51.

Jade Boggs of The Insurance Store did not attend the meeting as he did not receive the data that he planned to present to the Commissioners.

Attorney Harrington joined the meeting where there was a review of the electrical issues with the new hospital building that was traced to a faulty electrical equipment.

Commissioner Castelberry stated that she attended a Zoom meeting with the Northern Plains Resource Council and BLM where there was discussion regarding Cooperative Agreement between County governments and the BLM.

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

Samantha Wright of the Farm Service Agency and County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting with information on the available programs for Carter County producers dealing with drought and the July 13, 2024 storm. The Farm Service Agency does a newsletter that is sent to producers that will have information regarding available programs. Samantha left the meeting.

County Treasurer Jesi Pierson joined the meeting Commissioner Watkins made the motion to adopt Resolution 08302024-01 transferring the remaining general obligation bond for Dahl Memorial Hospital Building Construction fund to Dahl Memorial Debt Service Fund 3000. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Attorney Harrington and Jesi left the meeting.

Superintendent of Schools Tracey Walker and Carter County Public schools and Ekalaka school District Clerk Brittani Brence presented the school budgets. Brittani presented changes in the retirement funding for the School district. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the budgets for School District 56, District 1, District 15, Elementary District and the High School. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Tracey and Brittani left the meeting.

Custodian Kristy Bruce joined the meeting where there was discussion regarding her vacation and sick leave use and tentative schedule that she will be absent from work. She filled out a calendar designating days she will be available so that the Commission may find a substitute to cover the time that she will be absent. Kristy left the meeting.

Commission work session included discussion regarding the removal of the Stenseth house and garage that may be completed when the underground storage tank is removed in September 2024.

There was a County Budget Review. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to make a cash transfer $700,000.00. to Road Capital improvement funds and Weed funds in the amount of $30,000.00 to capital improvement funds. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The commission placed a call to Muggli Construction to check on the schedule for the tank removal and the Stenseth house tear down. Currently Muggli Construction is unavailable until the end of September or the first part of October.

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

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board