January 12, 2021

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
January 12, 2021

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

8:30 Pledge of Allegiance

9:00 Geospatial Information Systems Coordinator / Fire Warden Tom Kohley met to discuss road district boundary lines and road mile allocations. Commissioner Bullock asked what the existing miles per road district currently are, and what their maintenance priority designations are. There are over 800 miles of roads in the County, including publicly accessible subdivision roads. Discussion about challenges of public perception regarding the fact that in a couple of locations in the County, road districts do not necessarily line up with Commissioner districts. Census data should be available in April; statute requires that population be shared evenly among Commissioners. Discussion that not all road miles are created equal and have differing requirements for maintenance (asphalt, equipment, labor) and that the budget would need to reflect any changes. Kohley will research current mileage per road district. Clerk and Recorder Christine Stovall joined the meeting and stated that when Commissioner re-districting was conducted 10 years ago, it was based on population and hence why Commissioner districts do not line up with road maintenance districts. Kohley initiated discussion regarding the benefits and efficiencies of having a Road Superintendent oversee the whole Road program. Commissioners reviewed the history of road maintenance and supervision. Commissioners concurred that if they were to hire a Road Superintendent, Commissioners could reduce themselves to 0.75 full-time equivalent and 75% of their salary to pay for the Superintendent.

10:00 Treasurer Lori Lynde met to present the Treasurer’s Quarterly Collateral Report. Discussion regarding transferring funds from First Interstate Bank to the Bank of Bridger to maximize more favorable interest rates. Commissioner Blain moved to accept the Treasurer’s Quarterly Collateral Report; Commissioner Miller seconded; motion carried.

Commissioners approved Sheriff McQuillan’s email request to advertise for the dispatch hiring pool and fill an upcoming vacancy.

Newell detailed that as of yesterday’s transition planning meeting, Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Coordinator Cyrina Allen is the point-person for all planning and decision-making regarding the County’s radio system. There will be another meeting in March with Allen and Geospatial Information Systems Coordinator / Fire Warden Tom Kohley and Deputy Carrington to review that transition process.

Commissioner Blain moved to approve Claims for 1/20/2021 for a special check run; Commissioner Miller seconded; motion carried.

11:00 Airport Board meeting joined by Board members: Merrill Pfeifer, Mark DeRudder, Gary Herem, Steve Smith; Airport Manager Jeff Wise; Hangar owner Andrew Teetzel; Jim Greil of DOWL Construction; and Red Lodge Community Development Director James Caniglia. Minutes from October 15, 2020 were approved (attached).

12:40 Adjourned.