COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
September 5, 2019
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Prevention Specialist Mary Cameron met with Commissioners for public comment. Commissioners gave Mary permission to use the DUI Task Force laptop for RASS classes. She also noted a Coffee with A Cop event has been scheduled in Bridger for next month.
Commissioner DeArmond moved to approve Clerk & Recorder Cash Report for August 2019; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
9:00 Commissioner Blain suspended the Public Hearing on the 2019-2020 Preliminary Budget and opened the Public Hearing on the New and Expanding Industry Tax Abatement Application from PacifiCorp for the Pryor Mountain Wind Farm. Ken Clark, John Sample, and Bob Van Engelenhoven from PacifiCorp, Steve Simonson from Beartooth RC&D, Deanna Hay, Larry Hay, Bridger School Superintendent Bill Phillips and School Board Chair Krystal Zentner, and Mike Jones from Montana Limestone were present. Commissioners reviewed the application. There was no public comment. Commissioner Bullock moved to approve tax abatement resolution; Commissioner DeArmond seconded. Steve Simonson asked about PacifiCorp’s total tax relief package; Commissioner Blain noted the full 1.5% Impact Fee has been assessed, but PacifiCorp has requested a 75% tax abatement. Commissioners noted similar tax abatements have been granted to Montana Limestone when expanding operations at the quarry. The Resolution passed unanimously.
Commissioners discussed the Impact Fee, assessed at 1% of the project construction cost, and the Road and Bridge Prep Fee assessed at .5% pf the project construction cost which will also provide funding to replace the Pryor Mountain Rd Bridge. Commissioner Bullock moved to accept the Impact Fee Agreement; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; Steve asked what was the cost of replacing the bridge, Commissioner DeArmond noted it would cost about $500,000; Commissioner Bullock noted a similar project with federal grant funding was closer to $1.1M; Commissioner Blain noted previously negotiated impact fee with LLCs that formerly owned the project amounted to $150,000, $250,000 in gravel, and fire truck. All three Commissioners agreed the county and School were getting a much better deal this go around. Deann asked about the use of Pfeifer Road; PacifiCorp does not plan to use the Road. Steve asked about formalizing a good neighbor agreement. Bob noted PacifiCorp is interested in working with community but prefer to do that in a public process through the County.
It was noted PacifiCorp plans to have another public meeting with the contractor. Commissioner Bullock requested PacifiCorp appoint a liaison/point person that they and town can communicate with. Krystal offered school facilities for public meetings. commissioners agreed have been good neighbor so far.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve the Road Use Agreement; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner DeArmond moved to approve the Tax Appeal Limitation Agreement; Commissioner Bullock seconded; motion carried unanimously.
10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon met with Commissioners for his regular meeting. Sheriff Josh McQuillan, Mary Cameron, Diane Dimich, Lola Ashby, Crystal Roascio, and Carbon County News Editor Alastair were present. There was a discussion regarding the seized dogs; charges have not been filed but Alex is meeting with Strickland’s attorney today. Commissioner DeArmond moved to postpone adoption of Resolution to Adopt the 2019-2020 Budget until 1:00; Commissioner Bullock seconded; motion carried. Alex noted Shannon has submitted her resignation effective at the end of the year. Alex also discussed the IRecord invoice to replace the forensic interview system.
Commissioner DeArmond moved to approve August claims as submitted; Commissioner Bullock seconded; motion carried.
11:30 Treasurer Lori Lynde and Superintendent of Schools Asst. Lori Kane met with Commissioners for the approval of school budgets. Commissioner DeArmond moved to approve school budgets as submitted; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Alex noted he has another meeting with Strickland’s attorney on Monday and hopes to finalize deferred prosecution documents at that time.
Angela noted there was a tax settlement that changes the County Wide Taxable Value and will affect the County’s authorized mills. Commissioners agreed to recertify affected taxable values; budget adoption was postponed until Tuesday.
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer