Minutes: May 26, 2022
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on, May 26, 2022, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Present were Rod Tauck, Vice Chair and Mike Watkins, Member. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman, was absent.
There was no public comment.
Carl Knapp Road and Bridge Supervisor and Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting, where Carl reviewed the 2022-2022 Fiscal Year Road and Bridge Budget. He made increases in fuel and supplies due to increase in costs.
County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.
There was also discussion regarding the purchase of dump truck body for the newly purchased 6x6 plow truck, The Road Department received a landowner request to install car gates on the Bell Tower Mail Route Road. Due to the increase in cost of steel and concrete the Commission will increase the cost of car gates.
Carl requested permission to gravel the old dump road which the Commission granted. Carl left the meeting.
Fallon/Carter County Extension Agent, Amanda Williams joined the meeting to review the Carter County Extension Office 2022-2023 FY Budget. Amanda made few adjustments in the coming years budget. She will be hiring a part time administrative assistant to replace Jaden Miller who resigned.
The Extension office will be closed June 6th – 9th for the 4-H camp held at Camp Needmore. The septic tank has been cleaned out and Amanda is hopeful that the sewer system will function better this year. She also has plans to haul drinking water in a two-hundred-gallon tank rather than using bottled water. Amanda left the meeting.
Tricia Lovec, Carter County Senior Coordinator, joined the meeting to review the 2022-2023 budgets for Senior Citizens program, Food Bank and Senor Transportation. She increased the salaries for the transportation due to an increase in travel. She purchased exercise equipment for the senior fitness classes with ARPA funds. Tricia requested that the commissioners attend the Action for Eastern Montana meeting with Heather on July 19, 2022, at 1:00 pm. Trisha left the meeting.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the resignation of Rita Williams from the Carter County Health Board. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the resignation of Cherri Gentry from the custodial position. Her last day will be July 24, 2022. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
The commission discussed the insurance claim for the repair of water damage to the museum storage buildings located on Highway 323. There was discussion on the itemized list of damage. The Commissioners will request more information from the insurance agent. There was no action taken at this time.
The Board discussed the purpose of new I-Pads for the commission as well as reviewed the agenda for the May 31, 2022, commission meeting.
The meeting broke for lunch at 11:55 and convened at 1:00 pm.
Public Health Board meeting
Present- Steve DeFord, Mike Watkins, and Rod Tauck. Guests included Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke, Public Health manager Stefanie Harrington. Calling into the meeting was Public Health officer/ Health nurse Trish Laughlin, health nurse Kirstie Nelson, and attorney Corbit Harrington.
The board reviewed the purposed Public Health by-laws; suggested updates included removal of the Commissioners from the Health Board. The restructured board being made up of representatives from members of the community, school, and healthcare. Stefanie will advertise for health board members on the Public Health Facebook page as well as the Ekalaka Eagle.
Trish asked for clarification on separation of duties between the Health Officer and Nurse. She questioned if there is a difference in pay and hours and if so, are the hours tracked separately. She would like to see someone with a master's degree take over the duties of Public Health Officer.
Corbit replied that Trish does meet the qualifications set by the State of Montana based on years of experience. Trish is paid from the County Public Health Department budget for the Health Officer and Health Nurse duties.
Steve DeFord made the motion to adjourn the Health Board meeting. Rod Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
The Health Board meeting adjourned at 2:08. The next meeting will be July 29, 2022, at 1:00.
The Carter County Airport Meeting
Present: President Troy Fruit and Greg Harris.
The wind study performed by KLJ Engineering was completed June 25, 2022. The results will be compiled and presented by KLJ.
The airport received the new strobe light and should have it installed in a few weeks.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the agreement to transfer $150,000.00 entitlement funds that will be used for the Airport Master Plan. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.
The Commission and The Airport Board tabled the discussion regarding the maintenance position at the Airport.
Troy discussed the need to remove dirt from around the racetrack when it’s not in use to prevent water standing on the track and possibly damaging the drain field for the weed building. He will discuss the issue with Doug Stieg.
The Airport Board meeting adjourned at 2:45.
The commissioners agreed to table the decision on the renewal of the Workers Compensation Insurance until the May 31, 2022, meeting.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Subdivision template agreement with Stahly Engineering in the amount of in the amount of $1466.00.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:30 pm.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
_________________________________ Attest: _____________________________
Steve Rosencranz, Chairman Clerk of the Board