COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
July 1, 2021
Commissioners Scott Blain, Bill Bullock and Scott Miller; Administrative Officer Angela Newell; and Commissioners’ Secretary Barbara Krizek were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Bullock discussed COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as pertaining to the Roberts Water-Sewer project. He asked about the possibility of funding the force-main project in Roberts for $90k to take care of the system as a whole for the long-term.
Clerk and Recorder Christine Stovall joined the meeting to discuss Deputy wages in her office, specifically Deputy Crystal Roascio and the timing of her raises. Commissioners agreed to raise Roascio to 85% of elected official base for the duration of FY21-22.
9:00 Resolution to Enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions attended by Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Coordinator Cyrina Allen and Geospatial Information Systems Coordinator / Fire Warden Tom Kohley. Kohley detailed that he added language specifically to address Commissioners’ request to exempt agricultural operations and to clarify the Montana Association of Counties position stating that counties do not have the legal authority to prohibit fireworks. Commissioner Blain moved to approve Resolution 2021-19 To Enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions; Commissioner Miller seconded; no further discussion; no public comment; motion carried. Discussion regarding County reimbursement from Montana Department of Natural Resource Conservation (DNRC) for resources provided and wages for the Robertson Draw fire. Eight Road Crew members are interested in serving on the Fire Protection Team.
9:30 Red Lodge Mayor Bill Larson joined for his regular update. Red Lodge Airport Manager Jeff Wise and Red Lodge Airport Board member Steve Smith joined. Discussion regarding traffic flow through Red Lodge with record number of visitors expected for the upcoming holiday weekend. The new police chief should be selected July 9. Commissioner Bullock updated Mayor Larson on the Red Lodge Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) and protecting those properties at the end of each runway from any further development; the FAA and Airport Board need to gauge the City’s appetite for the future since the airport rests on City property; Bullock asked to have it on a City Council agenda to express concerns and challenges; Larson offered July 13 at 6pm.
Commissioner Blain moved to accept the Treasurer’s Cash Report for June and the District Court Fines and Fees Receipts Report for June; Commissioner Miller seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Miller moved to approve Commissioner Proceedings for June 10 and 15; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
11:00 Treasurer Lori Lynde and Clerk Jordan Morales joined the meeting to discuss adding a second Deputy to the department. Lynde would like to cross-train for depth in her office. Newell detailed statute that Counties with a taxable value in excess of $50(M) are allowed two Deputy Treasurers; Newell expects Carbon County would qualify to have a second Deputy; the County’s Taxable Value will not be finalized until the first week of August. Commissioners recommended 75% of elected base for Morales. Commissioner Miller moved to approve Resolution 2021-20 To Increase Treasurer’s Office to Two Deputies; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
Treasurer Tax Statement Printing Processing Contract. Lynde proposed outsourcing mailing tax statements to Black Mountain at a cost savings to the County; Black Mountain is the County’s current accounting software. County attorneys will review the contract.
Commissioner Miller moved to accept the Clerk and Recorder Monthly Deposit Reconciliation for June; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Blain moved to approve amending the Employee Recruitment and Hiring Process; Commissioner Miller seconded; discussion that future hiring may will be based on a rank or system where members of the hiring committee shall rank each applicant based on their individual points and those ranks will be added to determine the candidate’s hiring priority; motion carried.
Commissioner Miller moved to approve appointing Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Coordinator Cyrina Allen as Interim Public Health Officer; Commissioner Blain seconded; discussion that the Board of Health made the intended appointment their June 29th meeting without completing the procedural formal vote and that all members in attendance at that meeting have since emailed their approval of that appointment. Motion carried.
12:00 Meeting closed to discuss a personnel issue; 12:10 meeting re-opened.
12:15 Discussion regarding the role of Public Health after the current contract with Beartooth Hospital expires on August 31 and the various options for Medical Director, Public Health Officer, and Public Health Nurse functions.
12:30 Adjourned.
ATTEST:
___________________________ __________________________________
Clerk Commission Presiding Officer
Respectfully submitted: Barbara Krizek, Commissioners’ Secretary