Broadwater County public meetings in 2023

Broadband Advisory Board

The board discussed the upcoming 30-day BEAD challenge process opening the week of January 8 and potential public outreach to identify unserved areas. Members reviewed a $3,400 estimated bill from Great West for feasibility study planning grant paperwork. No formal votes were recorded.

• Discussed using social media, newspapers, and radio to ask the public to challenge broadband maps
• Reviewed $3,400 estimated bill from Great West for feasibility study paperwork
• Scheduled extra meeting for January 11, 2024, to discuss CAC update and challenge process launch

Fair Board

The board approved booking Jerry Frasier and the Butterfly Encounter for the 2024 Fair. A Montana state outline logo was selected. The board also discussed rental fees for a proposed community emergency services event.

• Approved November 29th, 2023 minutes
• Approved booking Jerry Frasier for Friday and Saturday shows and the Butterfly Encounter for Saturday
• Approved Montana state outline logo for 2024 Fair

Airport Board

The Board approved several financial claims and a hangar lease for Wade Litton. Members discussed FAA funding challenges for 2024 and the removal of city involvement from airport by-laws.

• Approved payment of claims for True Value ($23.53) and Townsend Hardware ($21.72)
• Approved November 15th minutes (unanimous)
• Approved hangar lease for Wade Litton
• Decided to maintain fuel price at $5.95

Working Meeting

The Board of Commissioners approved a $70,000 trust grant for a new irrigation pump system and increased the daily inmate rate to $82.90. They also approved the Westside Trails Phase 3 final plat and several sets of claims and payroll. A contract for homemaker and skilled nursing was tabled.

• Dismissed Supreme Court Case OP23-0592
• Approved Resolution 2023-22 increasing daily inmate rate to $82.90
• Approved Chemical and Biological Control Agent Cost Share Program
• Approved Montana Healthcare Foundation SRA Contract
• Approved $70,000 trust grant for new Irrigation Pump System
• Approved FAA Financial Reports for FY 2022-2023
• Approved Westside Trails Phase 3 final plat with conditions
• Tabled Homemaker and Skilled Nursing Contract #2024-004-007

County Commissioner &

The Board approved a tax abatement for the Trident Project and funded a new School Resource Officer deputy. They also authorized the use of fairgrounds for the Lineman Rodeo and approved a floodplain permit for Toston Irrigation. Several claims and payroll payments were processed.

• Approved Resolution 2023-21 for Trident Solar I, LLC New and Expanding Industry Tax Abatement
• Approved $49,100 budget amendment for a new full-time School Resource Officer deputy
• Approved MT43 News as the Newspaper of Record for legal advertising
• Approved use of Fairgrounds for Montana Lineman Rodeo on July 19-20, 2024, and annually
• Approved Toston Irrigation District Pump Site Floodplain Permit
• Approved weekly public project briefings on Mondays at 2 PM
• Tabled Westside Trails Phase 3 final plat approval until December 20, 2023
• Approved claims and payroll totaling $575,110.42

Broadband Advisory Board

The board approved the minutes from September 28, 2023. Members discussed potential provider partnerships, BEAD challenge processes, and possible USDA or CBDG grant funding for infrastructure. No other formal actions were taken.

• Approved September 28, 2023 minutes
• Rescheduled monthly meeting to December 21, 2023, at 4 pm

County Commissioner &

The Board of Commissioners approved MT43 News as the official Newspaper of Record based on a scoring recommendation. The board also approved an airport lease agreement and processed several sets of claims and payroll.

• Approved MT43 News as Newspaper of Record
• Approved Wade Litton City-County Airport Lease Agreement
• Approved November 15, 2023, Minutes
• Approved claims for $42,186.05
• Approved payroll claims for $272,599.77
• Approved claims for $31,134.79
• Approved payroll claims for $56,311.12

Fair Board

The board established daily rental rates for the pavilion and restrooms and approved a two-month trial rental for a local non-profit. Members expressed support for the Lineman rodeo moving to the fairgrounds and prioritized using a lighting rebate for drain field fencing.

• Approved August 10, 2023 minutes
• Tabled 2023 Fair Expenses review
• Set 2024 Fair Theme as 'Cowboy Boots and Country Roots'
• Approved ordering a second Graymont Grant Thank You Plaque
• Prioritized drain field fencing for use of Northwestern Energy lighting rebate funds
• Set Pavilion rental rate at $50/day plus $25 daily electrical fee
• Set new restroom rental rate at $125/day
• Approved 2-month trial rental for local non-profit at $40/night

Fair Board

The meeting scheduled for November 16, 2023, was cancelled due to a lack of quorum. No substantive decisions were made. The meeting has been rescheduled for November 29th.

Airport Board

The Board approved the October meeting minutes and paid three claims totaling $193.48. Members discussed a pending hangar lease dispute and an upcoming $6 million project. No votes were taken on new business regarding lot usage or construction plans.

• Approved October 18 and October 23 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved payment of claims to Castle Mountain Sales ($85.00), Townsend Hardware ($18.49), and Aubra Lewis ($89.99)
• Decided to maintain fuel price at $5.95 until next load delivery

County Commissioner &

The Board of Commissioners approved a boundary relocation, family transfer, and right-of-way limits for Judith Reynolds. The board also approved meeting minutes from November 1, 8, and 13, 2023. Other items, including solid waste fees and newspaper selection, were discussed or postponed.

• Approved Judith Reynolds boundary relocation, family transfer, Filson Road right-of-way limits, driveway easement, and boundary agreement
• Approved November 13, 2023, Minutes
• Approved November 8, 2023, Minutes
• Approved November 1, 2023, Minutes

County Commissioner &

The Board of Commissioners appointed five members to the Newspaper RFP Committee. No other substantive decisions were recorded during the meeting.

• Appointed Peter Reiss, Claire Harris, Nichole Brown, Jake Cartwright and Eric Crusch to the Newspaper RFP Committee (carried)

County Commissioner &

The Board approved several subdivision boundary and plat amendments, including a boundary relocation for Jefferson Springs Ranch. The commission also authorized the release of funds to pave a portion of Wheatland Road and approved over $359,000 in payroll and general claims.

• Approved Resolution MBAC Certified Regional Development Corporation (CRDC)
• Approved Jefferson Springs Ranch boundary relocation
• Approved Westside Trails Major Subdivision phasing plan update
• Approved amendment to Westside Trails Preliminary Plat to eliminate Condition #3
• Approved release of funds to pave 958 feet of Wheatland Road for Westside Trails Phase II
• Approved Preliminary Plat decision extension for Rolling Glen Ranch Estates until Jan 31, 2024
• Approved payroll claims of $20,420.13
• Approved claims totaling $328,796.80 ($267,633.38 and $61,163.42)

County Commissioner &

Commissioners approved the 2023-2024 Annual Work Plan for the Wheatland Tax Increment Financing District and established a committee to review newspaper bids. The board also approved several sets of claims and a resolution supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans.

• Approved claims totaling $14,853.58
• Approved claims totaling $4,979.28
• Approved claims totaling $47,748.66
• Approved claims totaling $141,409.36
• Approved Nancy and Cory Davis Boundary relocation COS
• Approved Resolution 2023-19 Supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans
• Approved 2023-2024 Annual Work Plan for the Broadwater County Wheatland Tax Increment Financing District
• Approved Bill Jarocki, Misty Masolo, Chris Wright, Leslie Heisey, and Ann Rauser for the newspaper committee

Broadband Advisory Board

The board discussed the potential for a third-party partnership to assist with feasibility studies and provider connections. Members reviewed challenges regarding the BEAD grant process and the potential impact of Starlink on local funding. The board plans to hold information-gathering sessions with various entities and providers.

• Approved October 12, 2023 minutes

County Commissioner &

The Board of Commissioners approved the preliminary plat and amended findings for the Three Rivers Major Subdivision. They also authorized a loan for solid waste equipment and a new side-by-side for Search and Rescue. Other actions included updating education property tax mills and approving inmate medical insurance.

• Approved Resolution 2023-18 updating property taxes for state-wide education mills
• Approved $48,442.00 loan for 2021 used Western Trailer for Solid Waste Department
• Approved $45,000.00 purchase of new side-by-side for Search and Rescue using Graymont donations
• Approved 2023-24 Inmate Access Medical Insurance agreement at $1.08 per inmate per day
• Approved Three Rivers Major Subdivision preliminary plat and amended Findings and Fact Order Report
• Approved claims totaling $75,423.57
• Approved payroll claims totaling $250,414.10
• Approved claims totaling $59,231.60 and $956.40

Airport Board

The Board approved two hangar lease requests based on specific size requirements. Both motions carried following a brief discussion regarding the Wolfgram hangar placement.

• Approved Seth and Peter Wolfgram’s 60 X 40 hangar as staked
• Approved Brian Foster’s 44 X 40 hangar as specified

County Commissioner &

The Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of a walking floor trailer for waste hauling and authorized several sets of claims and payroll. Two boundary relocation exemption requests were approved, while a subdivision plat request was discussed without a final decision.

• Approved Resolution to Purchase a Trailer for Solid Waste Department for $96,884.00
• Approved Dykema Land Co. Boundary Relocation Request
• Approved Yutzy Boundary Relocation Exemption Request
• Approved claims in the amount of $292.22
• Approved claims in the amount of $96,913.57
• Approved payroll claims in the amount of $257,812.91
• Approved claims in the amount of $12,425.35
• Tabled Three Rivers Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Approval Request for further information

Airport Board

The board approved the September minutes and payments for various maintenance claims. Members voted to stop the renewal of a specific lease document and updated the airport directory. A motion to approve a 60x40 hangar was retracted due to a lack of quorum.

• Approved September meeting minutes
• Approved payment of maintenance claims to Rocky Mountain Supply, True Value, Townsend Hardware, Aubra Lewis, and Bobert’s Tire and Glass
• Approved motion to not continue renewal of John Sindelar's lease document
• Retracted motion to approve 60x40 Wolfgram hangar due to lack of quorum
• Approved updating the Airport Directory to add grass as an alternative turf landing area and 8u9 as a landing threshold
• Decided to keep fuel price at $4.648/gal

Broadband Advisory Board

The board approved the minutes from September 28, 2023. Members discussed the use of Census Blocks for polygons, the potential for Starlink to cover no-bid areas, and the need for a specific engineering plan to assist providers.

• Approved September 28, 2023 minutes

County Commissioner &

The Board of Commissioners approved a hangar lease at the Townsend Airport and updated market wage ranges for Deputy County Attorneys. They also approved a floodplain development permit for the Toston Reservoir and authorized the milling of 95 property tax mills.

• Approved Airport Lease Agreement for Brian and Theresa Foster to build a hangar
• Approved Floodplain Development Permit # 23-FP-2 for Toston Reservoir Revetment
• Approved Market Wage Adjustments for Deputy County Attorneys
• Approved milling 95 property tax mills with balance to be held until litigation is decided
• Approved claims in the amount of $83,142.42
• Approved claims in the amount of $27,556.88
• Tabled decision on moving Montana Lineman Rodeo to Townsend Fairgrounds

County Commissioner &

The Board approved a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a legal paper of record and the purchase of a radar speed trailer to be split with the Sheriff's Office. The commission also approved several sets of payroll and general claims. Updates were provided on noxious weeds, West Nile Virus, and road conditions.

• Approved purchase of Fast-12T Radar Speed Trailer for $9,300.00, cost split with Sheriff's Office
• Approved newspaper RFP and proposed timeline with edits to scoring and citizen questions
• Approved payroll claims of $257,968.14
• Approved claims of $19,441.01
• Approved Sheriff office vehicle claim of $70,345.00
• Approved claims of $229.24
• Approved claims of $7,426.08
• Approved claims of $58,963.02

Broadband Advisory Board

The board approved the minutes from September 7, 2023. Members discussed the upcoming NTIA challenge process and potential partnerships with internet service providers. No changes were made to the regular meeting dates and times listed in the by-laws.

• Approved September 7, 2023 minutes
• Maintained existing meeting times and dates in By-Laws
• Scheduled November regular meeting for November 30, 2023

County Commissioner &

The Board of Commissioners adopted budget amendments for FY 2022-2023 and authorized the purchase of four new patrol vehicles. The board also approved a prosecution services agreement with the City of Townsend and a lease amendment for the Department of Revenue.

• Adopted FY 2022/2023 Expenditure & Revenue Budget Amendments Resolution 2023-16
• Approved purchase of four new patrol vehicles and trade-in of two older vehicles
• Appointed Spencer Sellay to the Broadband Advisory Board through December 20, 2025
• Approved First Amendment to Lease # 5935 with the Department of Revenue
• Approved Interlocal Agreement for City of Townsend Prosecution Services at $1,525 per month
• Approved closing the Winston walk-in canister and relocating the gate
• Approved claims and payroll totaling $438,864.44
• Approved meeting minutes from August 1, September 6, and September 13, 2023

Airport Board

The board approved several claims totaling $6,779.36 and accepted the August meeting minutes. Discussions were held regarding hangar lease residency requirements and construction offsets for new hangars. No decision was reached on fuel purchasing or the Wade Litton hangar lease.

• Approved August minutes as presented
• Approved payment of claims totaling $6,779.36
• Tabled Wade Litton hangar lease discussion to next agenda

Board of Health

The Board of Health met on September 18, 2023. No substantive decisions were made, and previous meeting minutes were not approved due to a lack of quorum at that prior meeting.

• Approval of previous meeting minutes failed due to lack of quorum

County Commissioner &

The Board of Commissioners approved a commercial loan agreement amendment and several sets of claims and payroll. One family land transfer request was approved, while another was postponed.

• Approved Rauser COS Exemption Gift to Immediate Family Member transfer
• Postponed Reynold COS Exemption Gift to Immediate Family Member request
• Approved Amendment #1 of the Commercial Loan Agreement and Promissory Note
• Approved claims in the amount of $15,982.91
• Approved payroll claims in the amount of $56,353.93
• Approved claims in the amount of $48,000.00
• Approved claims in the amount of $774.00