Commissioner Proceedings

Monday, July 31, 2023

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

Commissioners reviewed and approved the consent agenda.

The minutes of the July 17, 20 and 24, 2023 commissioner proceedings were read, approved, and ordered published.

The board then reviewed and approved claims for payment of various county departmental expenses as submitted by the Clerk & Recorder’s office.

Cynde Jo Gatlin, Clerk & Recorder, met with the board. Gatlin requested approval from the board to sign the county up for a Fleet FAN number; the board approved. Gatlin then requested approval from the board to begin the cost of living raises for county employees. The board authorized the clerk to calculate the raises at three different amounts and they will make a final decision at a later meeting date.

Hattie Arithson, Treasurer, met with the board to discuss her 2023-24 budget.

Libby Nisley, Pool Supervisor, stopped in to request the pool to remain open from 4-7 p.m. after school starts until the end of August, with the anticipation the pool will be utilized after school. The board approved.

Jessica Malone, Museum Director, met with the board to request continued funding for the museum for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Discussion then continued with the request for funding assistance for the Chamber of Commerce. Malone presented the board with the financial challenges the organization has. Malone has requested $5000.00 to $7500.00 in assistance to offset wages. The board stated they will discuss and make a final decision in the budget process.

Cass Zimmer, Town of Broadus, stopped in to ask about the cleanup of fairgrounds after the fair.

Vanna Byrd, District Court Clerk, met with the board to conduct her 2023-24 budget meeting.

Vikki Klemm, Abbey Barnhart, and Darlynn Williams, representing the clinic, met with the board to conduct their 2023-24 budget meeting.

Nadine Elmore, Paige Powell, and Kylie Randall met with the board to conduct the 2023-24 budget meeting for the nursing home. After the budget meeting discussion continued on to the status of Physical Therapy billing; Elmore informed the board there will be a portion of the Medicare payment that will need to be written off. Elmore continued on to inform the board the current billing manager has been keeping up with the billing and now that AQREVA has been hired back on as the billing company the billing process is running smoothly. Melissa Billing, Gardner Billing CPAs, has been hired on to act as the business manager for the next two weeks to ensure the billing process is being handled properly.

Clint Worman met with board to discuss the transfer of a private permit scoria pit to the county. Worman stated the landowner is only asking the county to conduct the clean up when the county is finished with the pit. The board asked Worman to inform the landowner the county is interested in the pit. A meeting will be scheduled later to make final decision.

The board then reviewed the pay scale presented by Adam Johnson, EMS Director, that adds a pay line for EMRs. An equipment retrieval pay line will be added later.

The board then began an interview for Nursing Home Administrator. Lee Randall recused himself from the hiring process.

After hearing no further public comments, the board adjourned and will reconvene Monday, August 7, 2023.

Monday, August 7, 2023

Commissioner Chair Lee Randall called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioner John Olson was present and Commissioner Lori Fortner was absent.

Commissioners reviewed and approved the consent agenda.

Teel Mullanix, Road Supervisor, met with the board to discuss various Road Department issues and informed the board Dustin Hansen has been hired as road crew operator and his start date is August 7, 2023.

Tammy Jackman, Senior Center Director, met with the board to conduct the 2023-24 budget meeting for the Senior Center.

Dan Davis stopped in to discuss the sawdust at the fairgrounds for the upcoming horse sale.

Sheriff Devin Boman and Denni Schuetzle met with the board to conduct the 2023-24 budget meeting for the sheriff's office. The meeting was unable to be completed and the board and Sheriff agreed to meet at 1:30 to continue the sheriff's office budget meeting.

Carey Trumps and Clint Pedersen met with the board to conduct the 2023-24 budget meeting for the fire department.

The Clerk and Recorder’s budget meeting was postponed due to the need of continuation for the sheriff’s budget meeting. Sheriff Devin Boman and Denni Schuetzle both rejoined the meeting.

Dave Gardner, board member for the Willow Crossing Cemetery, met with the commissioners to discuss the Willow Crossing Cemetery 2023-24 budget.

Rolling Hills Golf Course Board of Directors, Cynde Jo Gatlin, Ashley Emmons, Dave Gardner and Chad Gatlin met with the board. Kara Lambert, Clubhouse Manager, also joined the meeting. Chad Gatlin presented the request to the commissioners for funding of a clubhouse upgrade. After discussion it was determined that an engineering firm will need to be contacted. The commissioners offered to reach out to a firm and seek guidance and how to proceed. The board will meet again with the commissioners later to continue discussions on the budget request.

The board spent the remainder of the day reading correspondence and taking care of various administrative duties. Dave Vineyard stopped in to inquire on the Valley View Cemetery fence replacement.

After hearing no further public comment, the board adjourned at 5:00 p.m. and will reconvene Monday, August 14, 2023.

Monday, August 14, 2023

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

Clerk and Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin met with the board to conduct her 2023-24 budget meeting.

Darold Zimmer stopped in the office to express concerns regarding the removal of the old fairground’s bleachers.

Clerk and Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin presented the updated commissioner redistricting proposal by JHS, Inc. It was determined that there will be no change in the boundary lines for Commissioner Districts. The board authorized Gatlin to proceed with the resolution to create the commissioner district boundary lines.

A Zoom meeting was held for the Belle Creek Road Project (FLAP Grant). Aaron Eckland informed the commissioners that the grant package will be submitted next week and if everything is approved construction can begin. Eckland stated funding will not start until October and it is unsure how long it will take congress to release funds.

The board then reviewed the current pay scale for Powder River County. The board discussed various adjustments to the pay scale and authorized the Clerk and Recorder to change the pay scale as requested and present a resolution at the next meeting.

Resolution 2023-24, Elected Official Compensation Salary, the board reviewed, and John Olson motioned to approve, Lori Fortner seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.

Nadine Elmore, Interim Nursing Home Administrator, met with the commissioners to conduct their weekly meeting. Kylie Randall joined the meeting. Elmore updated the board on the billing process and the status of the past due bookkeeping. Melissa Billing has been contacted and is assisting the Manor business office in updating and finalizing the billing issues and processes. Elmore then reported the Accountable Care Organization grant with Montana Health Network did not meet the requirements and was denied. Elmore will be talking to the clinic department to continue the discussion on short term medications at the clinic if the need would arise that a patient needed medication and the pharmacy was closed. The nursing home pay scale was reviewed.

After hearing no further public comment, the board adjourned at 5:00 p.m. and will reconvene Thursday, August 17, 2023.