June 6, 2019

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
June 6, 2019
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Kyle McKinney met with Commissioners for public comment. Sanitarian in training Cortney Lynde, Contract Sanitarian Travis West, Joseph A. Fowler, Elizabeth M. Fowler, and Jon Poole were present. Ms. McKinney discussed the sanitary restrictions that are on her property that she believes were lifted. She presented information from McKee Engineering and reviewed the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) interpretation of statute that excludes the area of a public road easements when determining if the parcel is reviewed locally or by DEQ under 76-4-102 MCA. She believes DEQ’s interpretation is incorrect. Ms. McKinney presented a summary from Ann Coset in 2005, which concluded the property was subject to local review. Fowler noted he paid McKee engineering and was told that 20 acres was the magic number to have local sanitary review. Travis noted that DEQ’s interpretation is what all counties must follow. Commissioners confirmed they can not go against DEQ’s rules. 8:45 Kate Stout from Red Lodge Surveying joined the meeting, she noted that 3 of the 4 subdivision lots have been developed. Commissioners noted that as the item was not on a formal agenda and that a decision can not be made today and they will revisit on Monday so it can be placed on their agenda.
9:00 Clerk and Recorder Christine Stovall and Election Administrator Macque Bohleen met with Commissioners to discuss their preliminary budgets. Macque noted Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant funds are available to replace the AutoMark voting machines that allow disabled voters to vote at the polls. Macque also noted that the other ballot counting machines will also need to be replaced as they cannot read the new ballots. Macque noted the office is considering centralized counting so the County will not have the expense of replacing machines at individual polling places. This shift would save taxpayers $46,000 this year and would significantly reduce maintenance costs going forward as it would only be on 2 machines instead of 14. Christine noted the other option would be to have the express votes machine ballots transcribed by judges to be read by the existing machines. It was noted the department would like to start setting aside $2,000/year into a capital improvement fund for future voting machine replacements.
9:20 Clerk and Recorder Christine Stovall presented her budget. She noted the addition of a line item for capital transfers for the eventual replacement the large format printer/scanner. She discussed training for her staff and noted that with her and
senior deputy Lola Ashby’s upcoming retirements of she would like to promote Crystal Roascio to Deputy. Also adding FTE for records and to assist with HR functions. Discussed employee wage increases. Would like to start Payroll Clerk, would like to add a deputy position.
9:50 Kris discussed road issues. Noted some roads county has used as county roads and cannot find where accepted in Commissioners minutes. Specifically, Cottonwood Road by Silesia, noted easement all the way through to Edgar Pryor Road.
10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon met with Commissioners to discuss his budget. Noted would like to increase Shannon Foley to 80k-85k. Commissioners agreed $81,500 was Noted waiting to get final award for VOCA. Have some funding left over from the current grant cycle and would like to use for video recording system would like replaced. Discussed Kyle McKenney’s issue Alex deferred to DEQ as it is their rule.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Clerk and Recorder’s Monthly Deposit Reconciliation for May 2019; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Treasurer’s Cash Report for May 2019; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve District Court Fines and Fees Summary for May 2019; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
11:00 Dave Judd met with Commissioners for fuel bid opening. Two bids were received. City Service .078 diesel .063; Judd .047 for all. BB moved to approve and accept bid from Ray Judd Ford Bid; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
11:10 Sheriff Josh McQuillan met with Commissioners regarding his budget. He noted the department will have a significant purchase this year or next for the IMC system change. He noted the new system will cost approximately $300,000; he is exploring grant funding options to help cover part of the cost. Commissioners discussed the radio system lease; they noted the full lease amount may not be spent and they would like to put any remaining cash back into the lease; they will revisit the final cost of the lease once road repeaters are installed and radios are programed. Commissioners approved the Sheriff’s request to increase his Secretary’ pay rate form the mid-clerk to top-clerk rate. There was also a brief discussion about jail planning; Sweetgrass County has expressed interest in contracting for 15 beds and Yellowstone County may restrict other counties access to their facility which may increase interest from other counties. Sheriff Josh McQuillan will be at the Montana Sheriff’s and Peace Officer Association convention later this month and will discuss with other sheriffs to help determine the appropriate size of the facility. 

Commissioner Blain moved to approve claims as presented; Commissioner Bullock seconded; motion carried.
12:00 Adjourned

Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer