COMMISSIONERS’S MEETING

This is to certify the following is a true and correct copy of the Broadwater County Commissioner Minutes approved by the Commissioners on October 17,2005.

Judy R. Gillespie, Clerk

SEPTEMBER 12, 2005

The meeting of the Broadwater County Commissioners was called to order by chairman James V. Hohn. Present were Commissioner Steven R. McCullough and Commissioner Elaine M. Mann.

Bob Masolo, County Road Supervisor, met with the Commissioners to discuss updates on the work his department has been doing. The Kenworth broke down after it was overhauled, however it was still under warranty. It is fixed and working now.

Bob said they have finished the mowing, and improvements on Sandhill, Jackfarm, Lower Deep Creek, Limeplant, Goosebay, and River Road. Now the crew will be working on maintenance at the shop.

Bob also informed the Commissioners that Mr. Ryan Renner has built a fence right on the shoulder of Ross Gulch Road. The fence has big posts that someone could hit which would bring up liability issues and the fence looks to be only 10 or 15 feet from the centerline of the road. The placement of this fence also may cause problems when the snow comes, the road crew will either plow the road, which will end up tearing down the fence, or they wont be able to plow the road.

Commissioners McCullough said the fence is an obvious encroachment on the road and suggested that Bob write a letter to Mr. Renner and ask him to remove the fence. Commissioners McCullough asked Bob to send a copy of the letter to the Commissioners.

Bob advised the Commissioners that the Lime Plant was doing some core drilling on Mudd Spring Road up above John Wrights place. Bob said he could use the blade to widen the road. Commissioner McCullough said let them expand the county road at their expense and liability.

Finally, Bob showed the Commissioners a picture of a new road grader that he is looking to purchase if the budget allows it. The current department grader will not bring in too much as a trade because of wear and tear through the years.

Julie Lethert, County Sanitarian/Planner, brought in the Amended Lot 5, Mudd Springs Estates Plat for approval. She also discussed a letter sent Commissioner Hohn regarding required information by some entities (i.e. counties, cities) on survey documents. The Amended Lot 5 Mudd Springs Estates Plat was approved and signed by the Commissioners.

The Commissioners asked Julie to look into establishing a road formula for subdivisions. Julie said she would contact Morrison Maierle, Inc for advice regarding this issue.

Pam Converse, County Weed Coordinator, Pam informed the Commissioner that she was going to start the fall spraying next week. The subdivisions have been sprayed and billed and Pam will start billing County departments that requested her to spray certain areas for example the sheriff’s impound area. (See Attachment)

Pam hired a gentleman to work on the GPS project, and she is also looking for a four-wheeler trailer, however she can’t find one in the county so she may have to look outside the county. If she cannot find a trailer for the four-wheeler she may have to adjust her budget for next year.

Pam is in her last year of a 3-year mill levy and wants to ask for a permanent mill levy. Pam said the forest service would help her with posters for a mill levy.

Pam would also like to ask her summer helper, Andrea Cazier, to come back for next year. Right now she is paid $7.50. Pam would like to pay Andrea more to give her an incentive to come back next year. Commissioners McCullough suggested a $1.50 raise bringing her up to $9.00 and has no problem letting Pam use her discretion on a pay increase for Andrea as long as Pam keeps the Commissioners in the loop, however he doesn’t feel that the budget should be modified for one part time worker.

Val Middlemas, Clerk of District Court, asked the Commissioners to increase her chief deputy, Audrey Plymale, hours. With the District Courts increased workload Val could use Audrey more in the office.

Commissioners Mann made a motion to increase Audrey’s hours the problem is there may not be enough money in the budget and there isn’t enough for Audrey to go full time. Commissioners Mann suggested increase her hours to less than full time to avoid the eligibility of insurance. Natalie Tomeo said 32 hours or more gives eligibility for insurance. Commissioner Mann suggested increasing the District Court’s deputy to 31 hours.

Commissioners McCullough said he would rather wait and review the numbers regarding the District Courts budget before making a second on Commissioner Mann’s motion.

John Flynn, County Attorney, asked the Commissioners to increase his budget for training purposes. Lynn Arensmeyer is going to retire and John needs three to four weeks worth of funds for training purposes.

Public Hearing: Salary Resolution 2006 FY, Commissioner McCullough made a motion to adopt the 2006 FY Salary Resolution, Commissioner Mann seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously. (See Attached)

Public Hearing: Adopt 2006 Final Annual Budget; The Commissioners discussed John Flynn’s request, Commissioners McCullough motioned to amend the County Attorney’s budget for a one-time cost of $1500.00 for training purposes.

Commissioner Hohn suggested increasing the District Court deputy’s hours to 8 hours more a week. Commissioner McCullough concurred.

Commissioner McCullough motioned to adopt the 2006 Final Annual Budget with additions for the County Attorney’s office and the District Court’s office. Commissioner Mann seconded the motion, the motion passed unanimously.

(See Attached)

Cliff Preston, County Resident, came in to discuss Springville Road; he would like to see more blading and mowing on Springville Road. He says he is paying fuel tax for one mile of this area so residence of Springville should be seeing more blading and mowing. He also said the knapweed is bad in that area and would like for the County Weed Coordinator to do some spraying up there.

The Commissioners said they would speak with the Road Foreman regarding the blading and mowing and suggested that Mr. Preston speak with Pam Converse the County Weed Coordinator regarding the knapweed.

Hershel Carpenter, Broadwater County Trust Financial Secretary, and Bill Hubber wrote a letter on behalf of the Commissioner Chairman and Broadwater County Commissioners to First Premiere Bank Trust Department requesting funds for $75,000.00. (See Attached)

Jorja Hensley, Impact Fee Advisory Committee, she informed the Commissioners that she met with Myra Shultz and plans to meet with Harold Blattie, with MACO, she also informed the Commissioners that the Subdivision standards should come out mid September.

Mail/Review and Signature Items

Regarding Thomas Budewitz’s bill for work on the George Collins case the Commissioners asked Natalie Tomeo to have the County Attorney, John Flynn, write up a lien for George Collins horses and have it filed with the Clerk & Recorders office.
The Commissioners approved the Townsend Electric Bill for work on the Commissioners room.
The Commissioner’s want meeting with in next 30 days with all those involved with Wheatland Road.
After receiving a letter from Headwaters Livestock, the Commissioners made a motion and approved any tax relief that they can legally allow.
Don Schauber, Schauber Surveying, met with the Commissioners to have the Commissioner chairman sign an application and send $50.00 for an application fee for a historic right of way easement for access roads upon state trust lands. (See Attached)

Items for discussion and action

Older American Contract (Homemaker Contract) was approved and signed by the Commissioners.
Natalie Tomeo, County Finance Officer, asked to move $556.69 from the Hospital Fund into the general. This request passed unanimously.
Payroll for August 23, 2005 in the amount of $76,916.62 and September 8, 2005 in the amount of $80,877.68 were approved.
Claims for August 30, 2005 in the amount of $103,082.32 and September 8, 2005 in the amount of $72,707.16 were approved.
Broadwater County Extension Services Agreement with Montana State University Extension Service was approved and signed by the Commissioners.
Melissa Tummler told the Commissioners that the DEQ is on board with the demolition of Old Jail.
The Commissioners suggested that the process of an elevation study by the federal government for Toston and the Bunkhouse Bar Begin.
The Commissioners told Natalie Tomeo to have Brian Patrick coordinate with Bob Masolo regarding the Tennis Courts for equipment that may be needed.
Commissioner Hohn brought up his concerns regarding the Canyon Ferry Airport board and residential hangers. He suggested writing Gary Gates a letter about the residential hangers.
The Soroptomist group asked the Commissioners if they could use the Veterans Park for domestic Violence Month. The Commissioners said that was ok with them, however the Soroptomist group would have to get permission from the City as well.
Commissioner Hohn asked Commissioner Mann to develop a list of expertise for the Mental Health advisory board.

Public Comments

Virgil Binkley came in to talk to the Commissioners regarding the Search & Rescue septic system city sewer outlet is high, raise building maybe 1 ft. to lift the station would cost roughly $25,000.00.

Nichole Brown, Planning Department, spoke with the Commissioners regarding an increase in her salary, the Commissioners suggest she should put the new funding proposal together first before they make a decision to raise Nichole’s salary.

Brad Campbell commented on the impact fees Jorja Hensley discussed.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 pm, the next Commissioners meeting is scheduled for September 19, 2005 at 10:00am in the Commissioners room in the Courthouse.

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James V. Hohn, Chairman

ATTESTED:

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Melissa Gilster, Deputy Clerk