The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

02-13-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, February 13, 2023, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Rod Tauck, Chairman; and Pamela Castleberry, member was present. Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman was absent.

The meeting was called to order by Rod Tauck at 9 a.m. There was no public comment.

Senior Transportation, Tricia Lovec joined the meeting with information on replacing the Senior Transport Toyota van and the bus.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the 2024 Fiscal Year Senior Citizen’s Program operating grant in the amount of $24,242.00. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Grant application to be used for a Senior transportation 7-passenger mini-van. The Federal share will be $34,588.00 And local share at $5,362.00. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Tricia requested Commissioner Castleberry attend the Transportation Advisory Committee meeting. Tricia left the meeting.

Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting with a review of the Public Safety MOU between Carter County and Fallon County and Carter County and Powder River County. He suggests a Resolution in lieu of the Commission signing the MOU’s.

The Commission compared several examples of procurement policies and discussed the option of updating Carter Counties current procurement policy.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12 p.m. and was called to order at 1 p.m.

Weed Board meeting guests included Jessie Scott, Weed Supervisor, County Extension Agent Amanda Williams, Weed Board President Matt McCabe, and members Gabe Carroll, J.O. Tooke, and Lee LaBree. Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright. Weed Board meeting was called to order by Matt McCabe. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

The Board discussed finishing the billing, repairs on a side by side, and the updated County Weed Plan. The Board would like to see a revised schedule of the spray schedule that includes private land.

Jessie requested a copy of the Resolution forming the Weed Board and information regarding weed management at the County gravel pits.

The Board discussed election of officers. As per the current Weed Board By-laws the officers will remain the same. The Board will look to seat one more member as they are one member short.

The Board requested a daily work log from Jessie and the seasonal employees as a means to increase productivity. Jessie stated that she doesn’t have the staff to increase out-put due to housing shortage and lack of applicants. She would like to have 3 crews or 6 to 7 seasonal employees. There is currently an ad in the Eagle for the season crew positions.

Amanda Williams, Carter/Fallon Extension update: Community craft days are very well attended. The new part time Administrative assistant starts February 14, 2023. Amanda will have floating office hours of Wednesdays or Thursdays in the Carter County Office. Amanda also touched on the weed spray applicator license and points needed.

The Weed Board meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for the February 6th and 9th, 2023. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board