Commissioner Proceedings

Friday, July 29, 2022

The meeting began at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Lee Randall and John Olson were present. Commissioner Donna Giacometto was absent.

Meeting minutes from July 25, 2022 were read and approved to be published.

Sheriff Allen Drane met with the board for his FY22-23 budget meeting.

Clerk and Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin met with the board. Contracts, server upgrade, and 911 Rural Addressing computer upgrade were all discussed.

Pool Supervisor Libby Nisley met with the board for the FY22-23 budget meeting.

County Attorney Jeff Noble and Kacey Stanley met with the board for their FY22-23 budget meeting.

EMS Director Adam Johnson met with the board for his FY22-23 budget meeting. The commissioners gave approval for Adam to order a large number of supplies, as the current inventory is lacking.

Claims were reviewed and approved for payment of various county departmental expenses as submitted by the Clerk & Recorder’s office.

The commissioners left the office to clean up at the fairgrounds and look at the pool.

After hearing no further public comment, the board adjourned at 5:00 p.m. and will reconvene Monday, August 1, 2022.

Monday, August 1, 2022

The meeting began at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Lee Randall, Donna Giacometto, and John Olson were present.

Teel Mullanix met with the board for his biweekly update.

At 10 a.m. the commissioners had a meeting via phone with Nathan Schroht regarding the Airport Hangar Project. Nathan updated the board on the progress of the project. The project contact with FAA, Roxanne, is encouraging the commissioners to wait on putting the project out to bid until after October 1, 2022, the beginning of the FAA’s new fiscal year. Roxanne is concerned that if they put the project out to bid earlier, there won’t be enough funds to cover the cost of the project. After detailed discussion, the commissioners decided to go with Roxanne’s suggestion and wait to put the project out for bid. Nathan then proposed to the board that they let their 2019 funds of $64,000 be loaned to Forsyth for their current project. In FY22-23, Forsyth will reimburse Powder River County those funds. The commissioners agreed.

Clerk and Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin met with the board for her FY22-23 budget meeting.

The Belle Creek MOU meeting, scheduled for 1:00 p.m., was moved to 2:00 p.m.

Due to the Belle Creek meeting being rescheduled, Sean Hill, Medical Administrator, was asked to come in early for his weekly meeting. Hill reported 21 residents. Private pay rates were discussed. No decision was made at this time. Hill updated the board on the progress of the monthly bookkeeping, and the status of the two-factor authentication and panic buttons. They discussed setting up an MOU with the Sheriff’s office for Manor nurses to perform blood draws. No decision was made.

The Belle Creek MOU meeting was held. All commissioners and Teel Mullanix were present. FLAP program managers joined the meeting via Zoom. Aaron went over several project forms, but instructed the board not to sign anything yet. Josh Taylor, Environmental Protections Specialist, joined the meeting via Zoom. Josh updated the board on what the environmental studies requirements for the project will be.

After hearing no further public comment, the board adjourned at 5:00 p.m. and will reconvene Monday, August 8, 2022.

Monday, August 8, 2022

The meeting began at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Lee Randall, Donna Giacometto, and John Olson were present.

County Treasurer Pat Phillippi was absent for her scheduled budget meeting.

Bert and Helen Woods stopped in to discuss the Willow Crossing Cemetery.

Arnie Mader, Predator Board member, stopped in to discuss the Predator Board petition to raise prices to $2.00/head and adding goats to the list. The board informed Arnie that the petition has to start with the citizens of Powder River County then be presented to the commissioners with the appropriate number of signatures. The commissioners can provide Arnie with a copy of the previous petition but the rest will be up to the individuals supporting the petition.

Commissioner John Olson reported that the arena was not left in good condition after the recent roping event.

Marty Drane was unable to attend his meeting. He reported over the phone that they are working all day on the concession stand at the fairgrounds.

Tammy VanTine, Weed Coordinator, was unable to attend her meeting.

Justice of the Peace Cathy Landa met with the board for her FY22-23 budget meeting.

Debbie Stieg, Tri County, was unable to attend her meeting. It has been rescheduled for Monday, August 15.

Raymond Ragsdale, Fire Chief, met with the board to discuss fire restrictions. The commissioners decided they would wait until after the fire restrictions meeting on August 16th before they make a decision.

The commissioners began reviewing the policies and procedures manual for EMS.

Adam Johnson, EMS Director, met with the board for a department update. Adam reported that he has spoken with the guy in charge of the new ambulance. Powder River County is number three on the list for deliveries in September 2022, however no exact date was given. Adam reported that he has been in contact with a potential medical director from Kalispell, MT with experience in emergency medicine.

Commissioners canceled their meeting for Thursday, August 11 due to conflicts with the county fair. They rescheduled for Thursday, August 25.

After hearing no further public comment board adjourned at 5:00 p.m. and will reconvene Monday, August 15, 2022.

Monday, August 15, 2022

The meeting began at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Lee Randall, Donna Giacometto, and John Olson were present.

A community member met with the board to discuss concerns regarding the nursing home.

Road Supervisor Teel Mullanix met with the board for his biweekly meeting. Teel has been in contact with Sacrisons, and they are planning to be here around the 17th of this month. Teel reported that the new blade should be here within the next two weeks, they are getting low on graveling materials, and they finally have all of their blades back in working condition. They discussed the Belle Creek Road and getting taller panels for the outdoor arena. Donna informed Teel that Corey Wilhelm will be here on the 18th to discuss what to do with the landfill road.

Stage 1 fire restrictions were discussed. The commissioners will vote on Thursday, August 18th, after visiting with Raymond Ragsdale, Fire Chief, again.

Julie Emmons-Stoddard stopped in to let the commissioners know that there is a possibility for another CDBG grant in the community.

Debbie Stieg, Tri-County, met with the board for the 22-23 contract with OT/PT. The hours allotted for OT and PT have been switched, because PT worked more hours this past year, but everything else stayed the same. The commissioners reviewed and discussed the contract. Commissioners signed the 22-23 contract.

Maintenance Supervisor Marty Drane met with the board for his weekly meeting. Marty reported that they are finishing up on the concessions stand at the fairgrounds. They discussed options for the new windows. Marty decided that plexiglass would be a better option than real glass, as it is sturdier. They currently have temporary water running to the concession stand. Marty has a plan to put in permanent water if the commissioners approve. He also discovered that the building will need rain gutters put on. Marty reported that he has been unable to find cabinets and counter tops for the community center, so he has contacted Tyler Gardner to give a quote for the project. Marty reported that there still has been no contact from the TV antenna repair guy.

Donna Giacometto left the meeting.

County Treasurer Pat Phillippi met with the board for the FY22-23 budget meeting.

After hearing no further public comment, the board adjourned at 5:00 p.m. and will reconvene Thursday, August 18, 2022.

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Chairman Lee Randall called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Donna Giacometto and John Olson were present.

Clerk and Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin met with board to review budgets.

Cory Wilhelm, SWIPP Administrator, and Teel Mullanix, Road Supervisor, met with the board to discuss the road inside the landfill. Commissioners Randall and Olson, Wilhelm and Mullanix then left meeting to tour the landfill. Two different routes are being considered.

Fire restriction discussion was then held. The board tabled the decision to move the county into a stage 1 fire restriction and voted on Resolution 2022-19, Open Burning not Permitted in Powder River County, with Donna Giacometto motioning to approve, John Olson seconding motion, motion carried.

After hearing no further comment board adjourned at noon and will reconvene Monday, August 22, 2022.

Monday, August 22, 2022

Chairman Lee Randall called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Donna Giacometto and John Olson were present.

Road Supervisor Teel Mullanix met with the board to discuss the recent report from local resident of windshield damage to their vehicle made by a county truck. MACO insurance will be contacted on how to proceed. Sacrison Paving joined meeting to discuss the Cemetery Road project. Commissioners inquired on an estimate from Sacrison to repave nursing home parking; Sacrison stated it would have to wait until next spring as all of their product is contracted out.

Clerk and Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin met with board to review budgets.

Cressi Johnson met with board to present Project Linus.

2022-23 Preliminary Budget hearing. No public comment was heard. Billy Stuver the joined hearing.

A local resident stopped in to express concerns regarding a culvert on Cemetery Road.

Pool Supervisor Libby Nisley met with board to discuss the pool. Nisley presented ideas and concerns for next summer. The pool budget was discussed. Nisley stated an assistant pool supervisor is needed.

After hearing no further public comment, the board adjourned at 5:00 p.m. and will reconvene Thursday, August 25, 2022.