January 26, 2023

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
January 26, 2023
Commissioners Scott Miller, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock; and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
Discussed Roberts Water and Sewer District Community Development Block Grant. There is a need to redo the income evaluation of the community for the grant to verify that the community still falls within the grant’s income thresholds.
Discussed transportation costs for the surplus excavator.
9:30 Red Lodge Mayor Kristen Cogswell met for her regular appointment. Bullock encouraged the City to provide their own DES representative to help the City establish its own emergency planning. Commissioners confirmed that Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Coordinator Cyrina Allen is only as their conduit to State DES and is not responsible for their internal planning.
9:45 Sanitarian Barbara Krizek and Assistant Lori Kane met with Commissioners to discuss office staffing. Krizek noted the addition of Sanitarian Jesse Gutierrez has been a great addition to the office with his background in retail food. Krizek discussed the paperwork requirements following an inspection for septic or retail food; noting the labor-intensive process to translate inspection reports into the State’s online system. Krizek and Commissioners discussed their desire to have her office staffed 5 days per week and how the addition of clerical staff could help accomplish that goal. Krizek also noted her goal of cross training with Gutierrez so they can both “back each other up” on Registered Sanitarian duties in both the land use and retail food components. The request for temp Clerical staff will be on the February 7th Agenda.
10:10 County Attorney Alex Nixon met for his regular meeting. Bohleen and Roascio were present. Discussed Dietz pit lease renewal. Bullock moved to close the meeting to discuss litigation strategy; Blain seconded; motion carried.
10:45 meeting reopened.
11:00 Human Resource Specialist Kate Asbury, Undersheriff Jeff Schmalz, and Union President Phil Nardinger met with Commissioners to open responses to the Request for Proposals for Group Health Insurance. Responses were received from the Montana Association of Counties Health Care Trust; HUB International for coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, PayneWest for coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield; PayneWest for coverage through PacificSource; Mountain Health; and VSP provided a response for Vision only coverage.

Insurance Committee members reviewed the proposals for cost comparisons. Each member will discuss with their respective departments and further review the proposals for coverage comparisons.
12:00 Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer