May 18, 2023

109
COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
May 18, 2023
Commissioners Scott Miller and Scott Blain; and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
Discussed installing a gate at Belfry on old highway.
Discussed Fromberg’s EWP riprap project at the bridge which could also benefit some of the Town’s concerns. Miller and Blain would like to discuss at Tuesday’s meeting.
8:55 Red Lodge Fire Chief Tom Kuntz met with Commissioners to discuss changing the Red Lodge – Roberts Ambulance District Fee to a mill value. Both Red Lodge and Bearcreek have passed Resolutions in support of the change. Kuntz reviewed the current fee structure that consists of a $69/year fee per lot so residential and commercial parcels pay the same amount. Kuntz would like to change the financing of the district to 22 mills. This would make the payments to the district based on property value which would be more equitable; ag land larger than 10 acres would be exempt from the mill. Kuntz discussed current Ambulance Districts revenues and response to areas outside of the district; other ambulance services in the County; difficulty finding volunteer responders; mobility challenges with lack of nursing facilities. Kuntz will pass along draft ballot language to discuss with the County Attorney.
9:15 Red Lodge Mayoral candidate Sandy Conlee met to discuss County items.
Blain moved to approve Commissioners’ Proceedings for March 28, 2023; Miller seconded; motion carried.
10:00 Dennison Butler came to the meeting to try and catch County Attorney Alex Nixon. Nixon was occupied and not available for his regular appointment.
10:30 Commissioners discussed their preliminary budget. Reduce dues and fees and reduce travel. Discussed their roll as Road Superintendents and the often competing objectives between their two functions.
11:00 Opened bids for Grazing: two bids received as follows:
Warehime $450
Hull $500
Blain moved to accept Warehime’s bid; Miller seconded; Discussed the $650 value of improvements made by Warehime on the property last year which increased the value of the bid from the straight lease payment; motion carried.

11:30 Commissioners opened Gravel bids. One bid was received from Quartz Construction as follows:
Phillips $7.62/yd
Deitz $7.38/yd
Blain moved to award the crushing bid to Quartz Construction; Miller seconded; motion carried.

12:00 Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer