Commissioner Proceedings

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

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

Clint Pedersen, Fire Fighter, met with the board to present the fire emergency equipment grant. Julie Stoddard, Grant Administrator, joined by phone. Clint presented the equipment needs and Julie presented the financial request for the grant. The grant requested is for $75,000.00 and is due September 1, 2024. Commissioners approved assisting with matching funds.

A Public Health Department budget meeting was held with Taylor Price and Darlynn Williams present. It was reported the tobacco grant has ended. The PHEP and Immunization grants were discussed.

The Clerk of District Court, Vanna Byrd, met with the board to discuss the FY24-25 budget.

The board then began the FY24-25 Transportation meeting with Molly Lloyd, Superintendent of Schools, Dixie Mitchell, Darold and Sylvia Zimmer present. There were no contract changes. The board reviewed the previous year’s minutes and Lori Fortner motioned to approve, John Olson seconded, all in favor, motion carried. Bus routes were then reviewed, and Lee Randall motioned to approve all 10 bus routes, Lori Fortner seconded, motion carried.

Molly Lloyd, Superintendent of Schools, met with the board to discuss her department’s FY24-25 budget.

Kylie Randall, Nursing Home Administrator, met with the board to discuss and review the FY24-25 budget for the nursing home.

The board spent the remainder of the day reading correspondence and taking care of various administrative duties.

Monday, August 5, 2024

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 Lori Fortner absent.

Commissioners reviewed and approved the consent agenda.

The board began the day reviewing the FY24-25 budget for the Commissioner’s office.

The Melgaard Contract was reviewed, and the commissioners did not sign the contract. The contract is pending verbiage on the testing of the gravel.

The physical therapy contract between Powder River County and Kristy Elgin was reviewed. The dates of the contract need to be adjusted and then the board will sign.

Cass Zimmer, Town of Broadus, stopped in to discuss the baseball field.

Dave Gardner met with the board to discuss the FY24-25 Willow Crossing Cemetery budget.

Jessica Malone, Powder River Historical Museum, met with the board to discuss the FY24-25 museum budget.

Commissioners left the office to inspect the new scale building.

Jackie Beardsley, Extension Agent, met with the board to discuss the Extension Office FY24-25 budget.

Kylie Randall, Jackie Beardsley, Lee Turnbough and Megan Smith, Fair Board members, met with the commissioners to discuss the FY24-25 fair budget.

Christy Olson, Transportation Director, met with the commissioners to discuss the difficulty she is having with the State of Montana procurement process and to report that the TAC board has approved the transportation plan.

At 3:00 p.m. the commissioners opened the sealed bids for the gravel hauling project. One bid was received: Radley Day Trucking. The board voted unanimously to accept the bid.

Commissioner reviewed the Action for Eastern Montana progress report for goals.

After hearing no further public comments, the board adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Monday, August 12, 2024

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 Lori Fortner absent.

Commissioners reviewed and approved the consent agenda.

Jerry Coulter stopped in the office to express concerns regarding and give suggestions on the baseball field fence project.

John Trusler met with the board to discuss and review the road maintenance contract between himself and Powder River County. The county will renew the contract in FY24-25.

County contracts that need renewal approval were presented by Clerk and Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin. Contracts: Tumbleweed Environmental, Powder River Predator Control, Kelly Huseby, Town of Broadus, Plu’s Flying, Amsden LLC, and Trish Playle were all approved for renewal. The board authorized the Clerk and Recorder to proceed with updating the contracts.

Adam Johnson, EMS Director, met with the board to discuss the FY24-25 Ambulance budget.

The board then reviewed the FY24-25 Airport budget.

The board spent the remainder of the day reading correspondence and taking care of various administrative duties and adjourned at 5:00 p.m.