December 8, 2020

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
December 8, 2020

Commissioners Scott Blain and Bill Bullock; Administrative Officer Angela Newell; and Commissioners’ Secretary Barbara Krizek were present.

8:30 Pledge of Allegiance

Newell and Commissioner Bullock detailed yesterday’s meeting between the County Public Health Officer and Public Health Nurse Roberta Cady to discuss the algorithm and protocol regarding the new COVID-19 BINAX testing in the school districts.

Commissioners received a Notice of Coal Board Grant Award from the Office of the Governor for $57,000 for a preliminary engineering report for the Bridger Senior Center; funding availability is subject to legislative approval
Commissioner Bullock moved to accept the Justice Court End of Period Disbursement for November 2020; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

9:00 Commissioners discussed the Wrestling Club’s desire to renew their lease allowing use of the Edgar Gruel building; they would like to wait for Fair Board meeting later this month to finalize the lease.

Discussion regarding COVID-19 Leave provisions under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The Act allows an employee 80 hours of leave; some qualifying reasons are at full-pay and others are at 2/3 pay.

Discussion regarding amending the draft Memorandum of Understanding with Stillwater County for leasing space in the proposed Detention Facility. Commissioners debated whether Stillwater County should be granted a discounted lease rate for obligating itself to a set minimum lease amount; this minimum would contribute significantly to operating costs and save Carbon County from having to ask voters for an operating bond. Commissioners agreed that a discount was warranted, but that the rate would be reviewed regularly and tied to the previous five years average inflation rate or be frozen if the average is negative.

Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Claims for November 20, 2020; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Employee Time as submitted; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

Final verbiage for Resolution 2020-30 (approved last week contingent upon legal counsel approval) was approved today based on recommendations from the County Attorney’s office.

Discussion regarding the benefits of exploring having a third-party evaluate and verify the projected operating budget for the proposed Detention Facility. Newell is inquiring with the County’s financial auditors to determine availability for this inquiry. Commissioner Blain conducted a general operating cost per bed comparison of other Montana Detention Facilities.

12:00 Adjourned.