CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

08-31-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, August 31, 2023, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Rod Tauck, Chairman; Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman and Pamela Castleberry, member were present.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. by Chairman Rod Tauck.

There was no public comment.

The Commission approved payroll in the amount of $239,745.42 and claims in the amount of $328,623.97.

The old hospital generator will be moved to the new hospital to be used as a secondary generator. The propane tank that is currently in use for the generator will move with the generator.

Commissioner Watkins made a motion to approve the minutes for August 24, 2023. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Carter County Health meeting budget review. Present Kirstie Nelson Public Health Officer/Nurse, Stefanie Harrington, Health Department Manager, Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright, County Attorney Corbit Harrington, Sharon Carroll, Health Board Member, and Jay Slaba guest. Call in from Public Health Officer/Nurse, Trish Laughlin.

Corbit left the meeting.

This meeting was called for the commission to clarify changes in the 2970 Public Health line items.

There was discussion regarding Public Health billing for services, including vaccinations. The department is not set up for billing for general public. They have set up several practice accounts, according to Public Health Manager Stefanie Harrington.

The additional electrical outlets and the light switch replacement has not been done in the health department rooms. The Health Department or Commission will contact Direct Electric to have the outlets and switches installed.

Trish has not heard back from Rocky Mountain Health Network regarding the Medicare and Medicaid Credentialing and billing.

Stefanie asked about electrical switches and outlets. The additional outlets and switch replacement haven’t been completed and she would like to contact Direct Electric. She and the commissioners will check into if Dahl has set up the work before contacting Direct Electric.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12:10 p.m. and reconvened at 1 p.m.

The meeting was called to order for the Budget Hearing for the 2023-2024 Budget. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve Resolution 08312023-01. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the L3 Harris Airport Lease agreement for the airport towers. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting, were there was discussion about purchasing a new ambulance and maintenance of the Senior Center doors.

The commission placed a call to Doug Stieg of A and A Stieg about relocating the current propane tank for the generator from old hospital to new hospital.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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