November 4, 2021

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
November 4, 2021
Commissioners Scott Blain and Bill Bullock; and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
District Ranger Ken Coffin met with Commissioners for a Forest Service update. Reviewed fuels reduction projects in various areas. Discussed infrastructure bill; there may be funding components in the bill to address forest fires and for fuels reduction and recreation components. David Lehnherr joined the meeting. Forest Plan will be finalized later this month or first part of December. Forest Services has had some discussions regarding managing the increasing volume of people using the Forest; no planed changes at this time. Discussion regarding Robertson Draw Fire; Bullock noted fire was a good display of the fuels crisis in the Beartooth’s that was not unique to Mount Maurice.
Blain moved to accept District Court Cash Balance Report for October 2021; Bullock seconded; motion carried.

Blain moved to approve Commissioners Proceedings for September 23rd closed and regular proceedings for October 12th and 14th; Bullock seconded; motion carried.

Blain moved to adopt Resolution 2021-31 for Prosecutorial Assistance; Bullock seconded; motion carried.

Blain moved to adopt Resolution 2021-32 for Prosecutorial Assistance; Bullock seconded; motion carried.

9:00 Clerk and Recorder Christine Stovall met with Commissioners regarding rearranging offices for new staff. Also discussed Human Resources position; Stovall and Newell believe that with check stock and payroll records in the Administration Building there is not another building the position can be in. The plan is to move Human Resources in to Newell’s Office and move Newell to the Commissioners’ Office full time.

9:26 Blain moved to approve Claims for October 2021; Bullock seconded; motion carried.

9:30 Red Lodge Mayor Bill Larson met with Commissioner for his regular meeting. Discussed municipal election.

Discussed the proposed Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, Bullock asked about how it may affect the County’s taxable value. Community Development Director James Caniglia joined the meeting to discuss the TIF District. Caniglia noted the district would freeze the taxable value of all property in the district for all taxing entities; historically tax revenue in the district has been very static. After 15 years the taxes would go back in full, which would bump up tax revenues for all taxing jurisdictions. Caniglia believes the district will create opportunity for development with lower infrastructure costs; urban renewal plan will be online today. The creation of a TIFF District is under the sole discretion of the municipality.

10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon met with Commissioners. Discussed Industrial Communications letter requesting the return of unused radio equipment from their defunct Simulcast system. Nixon and Commissioners agree that they are welcome to bid on equipment at auction with the rest of the public. Discussed case load; Nixon noted approximately 50 cases in District Court. Not having to spread out case filings quite as much as they did earlier in the year; although there are a number of marginal cases they are still sitting on. Nixon noted there have been less tickets with less Highway Patrol presence. Nixon noted significant number of cases are still related to meth. Discussed local option marijuana taxes passed in Yellowstone, Missoula, and Park Counties on Tuesday. Newell will reach out for copies of the resolutions to look at putting an issue on the June Primary ballot.

12:00 Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer