Commissioner Proceedings

Monday, October 2, 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/Election Administrator Cynde Jo Gatlin presented the cancellation notice of the 2024 municipal election and requested to publish the 2024 fuel and propane bids. The board signed the bid letters and authorized Gatlin to publish them in the local paper and send out bid notices. Cynde Jo Gatlin then invited the commissioners to a roundtable meeting with newly hired 911 addressing contractor Henry Shovic. Gatlin has prepared a meeting with various departments to discuss 911 addressing needs, issues and potential needs for the county. The meeting will be held on October 17, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

Marty Drane, Maintenance Supervisor, met with the board. Drane reported the new flooring in the election room will be going in on October 1st. The pool is being winterized, programmable locks in the MP concession building have been installed, showers in the jail are installed, and the facia at the fair barn has been repaired. Drane will be blowing out the sprinklers by 3rd week of October. The elementary generator is on the maintenance schedule. Discussion continued regarding the TV issues with the county.

Adam Johnson, EMS Director met with the board. CIH (Community Integrated Health) was discussed. Johnson reported the CIH grant will be ending at the end of the fiscal year and all expenses incurred by CIH will need to be reimbursed by May 31, 2024, and after June 1 the grant is closed. A possible budget amendment was discussed. Johnson then reported on runs.

Jeff Noble, County Attorney, met with the board to give legal opinion on the golf course remodel project and the GCCM option. Noble reviewed the law and does not feel the project qualifies for the GCCM. Noble stated the county will have a hard time proving MCA18-2502- 2b.

Commissioners then left the office to tour the cemetery and adjourned after the tour.

Tuesday, October 10, 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. Minutes from September 18, 25, 29 were read, approved, and ordered published.

Teel Mullanix, Road Supervisor, met with the board. Mullanix reported a few employees came in last Friday to blade after the rain. Bentonite showed up last week. The blade that needs to be rebuilt has been hauled to Billings. Mullanix also updated on crushing.

A Zoom meeting with Brandon Duffy, Great West Engineering, was cancelled due to the Flap administrator unable to attend.

The board reviewed and finalized the maintenance road contract with John Trusler. The board signed the contract and contacted Mr. Trusler to come and sign it at his convenience.

Tammy Jackman, Senior Center Director, met with the board to conduct a monthly department meeting. Jackman reported the food bank received a hog, the caring rose week is the first week in November, and she has been helping citizens with SNAP and LEAP enrollments. Jackman will be out on medical leave beginning October 31. Jackman stated she is unable at this time to know exactly how long she will be on medical leave.

Molly Lloyd, Superintendent of Schools, stopped in to inform the board she has visited with the county attorney regarding the transportation fund that has an excessive balance of funds. Lloyd reported she will be contacting the auditor for more clarification.

The board opened the Feasibility Study RFQ’s. Quote received: SDI Architect, Miles City, Montana.

The board reviewed the feasibility study quote and scored.

Kylie Randall and Nadine Elmore met with the board to discuss the nursing home. They reported attendance for the Montana Health Care convention in Billings the previous week. Elmore informed the board of the value-based purchasing that will go into effect in 2024.

Elmore explained that this requirement will require someone to keep track and input documentation of all health care employees’ trainings and certifications. It was also reported the nursing home administrator will be conducting a series of mandatory training for employees. Discussion was then held on the need for a second command for the director of nursing. Elmore proposed to pay the second in command nurse the MDS coordinator pay line.

The board then discussed the request by EMS Director Adam Johnson to add a pay line for individuals that would be only a driver for the ambulance service. The board voted unanimously to not add a pay line and use the pay rate for an EMR if this position is needed.

The board then discussed the golf course remodel. Dave Gardner and Chad Gatlin joined the meeting. Discussion was held on the short time frame for construction to happen before the weather turns. The board reported they have met with the county attorney and it was determined the county does not meet two out of three requirements to allow for a GCCM. The county will wait for initial architect plans and then determine the time frame and how to proceed with the project.

Teel Mullanix stopped in to update on the bridge tresses set on the Pilgrim Creek Bridge.

After hearing no further public comments, the board adjourned at 5:00 p.m.