COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
August 27, 2018
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
9:10 Commissioner Blain moved to approve the Systems Technology Consultants Services Agreement for renewal; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
9:17 DES Coord. / GIS Mgr. Tom Kohley met with Commissioners regarding the temporary bridge across Bridger Creek. He asked if there is funding in place to replace it. There is no funding slated for replacement in this year’s budget. Commissioner DeArmond noted because it is a temporary structure it must be signed at 5 ton, because it can not be rated by the state. Tom and Commissioners also discussed alternate sites for the Bridger radio tower including Schwend Butte.
9:30 Commissioner DeArmond moved to accept the Superintendent of Schools Agreement with Dan Martin; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
10:00 Justice of the Peace Kevin Nichols and Court Clerk Raphael (Skeeter) He Does It met with Commissioners regarding the Justice Court Reduction in Force. The City Court Agreement with the City of Red Lodge will terminate November 10, 2018 and the Clerk position will longer be needed. Heidi Adams He Does It was also present. Judge Nichols asked if there were opportunities for Skeeter to apply for other open positions within the County; Angela noted he would be eligible for any internally advertised positions until the reduction in force took effect and was eligible to apply for any externally advertised positions. Skeeter noted he has had informal discussions with the City of Red Lodge regarding hiring Skeeter to serve as both City Court Judge and Clerk; the offer would reduce his hourly pay and would not provide insurance benefits. Judge noted City cases generate a disproportional amount of work compared to cases within the county. Commissioner Bullock read the letter of Reduction in Force. With the termination of the Red Lodge City Court Agreement, Commissioner Blain moved to initiate a reduction in force for the Part-Time Justice Court Clerk position that was added to accommodate the additional workload from Red Lodge City Court effective November 30, 2018; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
10:30 Barb Mettler from the Mental Health Center (MHC) met with Commissioners regarding the renewal of the Services Agreement. Commissioner Blain discussed #4 in the draft contract; he believes the per capita cost increase did not account for the additional $15,605 the County has been paying. Commissioner Blain thought it might be easiest to note the County’s per capita cost and not separate the payments out as has been done historically. Barb also noted current office workload is closer to 32 hours / week rather than 40 hours per week.
Commissioners are ok with reducing the hours of individual staff, but would like the office to remain open 5-days per week. How that is achieved would be up to the MHC. The Commissioners confirmed that they do not necessarily expect the secretary to be there 5 days a week. Commissioner Blain moved to approve the Mental Health Center Services Agreement for 2018-2018 for $27,416; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioners signed contract documents with Morgan Contractors for the Bridger Road Shop Renovation and Toilet Renovation projects.
Commissioners signed the service agreement with Beartooth Billings Clinic for Public Health Services with a 4% increase.
11:10 Commissioner Blain moved to approve Commissioners Proceedings from August 9, 16, and 20, 2018; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
11:30 Marina Matheson from Cooney State Park spoke with Commissioner Bullock over the phone. She noted Fish Wildlife and Parks is very happy with their contract for law enforcement services at Cooney.
12:00 Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer