93rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE
GENERAL
SESSION
The 93rd Annual Conference of the Montana
Association of Counties convened at 9:00 am.
Ennis, Montana, Boy Scout Troop #1601 presented the colors and led the
delegates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mike Murray, Lewis and Clark County, provided Invocation.
President Harmon
introduced the head table:
Past
President Gary
Fjelstad Parliamentarian
John Prinkki
Fiscal Officer Dan Watson 2nd Vice
President Carol Brooker
1st Vice
President Victor Miller Urban
Representative Mike Murray
MACo Executive Director Gordon Morris
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION
C. Ted Coffman, Madison County
After reading of the Resolution and accepting additional names, the seconded motion to adopt the Memorial Resolution passed by unanimous consent and is hereby inserted in this record.
RESOLUTION IN MEMORIAM
WHEREAS, the members of the Montana
Association of Counties, with great sorrow and a deep sense of loss, wish to
remember and honor those members who have been taken by death since the last
annual convention of our Association; and
WHEREAS, each of these county
commissioners has rendered innumerable public services to his or her respective
county, to the State of Montana and to the people thereof; and
WHEREAS, the absence of these
persons is keenly felt as a great personal loss to their families, friends and
colleagues;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by
the Montana Association of Counties in conference duly assembled in Big Sky,
Montana, this 23rd day of September, 2002, that the Association does
hereby pay tribute to the memory of Commissioners:
Delane Beach, Fallon County
Don Corrigan, Lake County
Dallas “Pete” Hagfeldt, Daniels
County
Burt Hurwitz, Meagher County
Art Koenig, Fallon County
And, on behalf of its members and the citizens of the
State of Montana, does hereby express gratitude for their achievements and
contributions to the public good of their counties and to Montana.
WELCOME
Dick Wiggins, Director, Big Sky Owners’ Association
Welcome to Big Sky, both
the community and the resort!
Big Sky Owners Association formed in 1972 to function as quasi-government for the area. The Association is unique because it oversees an area which straddles both Madison and Gallatin Counties. We have experienced great growth, particularly in this upper area around the ski mountain. In spite of economics elsewhere in Montana, Big Sky is growing. We had our biggest number of skiers last year.
We are exploring the
feasibility of forming a local government by holding town meetings and many
committee meetings. Our thanks go to
Ted Coffman and the other commissioners for their support on this project.
It is an important part
which county commissioners play in the everyday life of Montanans. The current financial climate and the “big
bill” have made it difficult and take your energy to do things well for the
people. I encourage you to keep up this
good work.
Welcome and we hope you will
have time to enjoy the big outdoors—golf, hiking and fishing--which we have
here.
Growing up on the High Line
in Montana, I read about Chet Huntley.
He was from the small Montana town of Saco and had dreams beyond
Montana. I re-read some of his memoirs
for this morning. He had a vision of what was the best Montana had to
offer. He scouted and found Big Sky,
which had all ingredients to showcase our great State.
In terms of what we all
represent, as county officials who are doing the work of the people, we are
also the best Montana has to offer. We
get it done, even though paths are sometimes laid out by State and Federal
levels.
We are blessed to be
here. We now will work hard and play
hard. We will do this because we are
all in this together.
Dan Watson, MACo Fiscal Officer, Rosebud County
At the call of the roll, 52 of the 55 member counties responded and Watson announced quorum present to conduct business.
President Harmon announced
that the E911 special
revenue account is at risk. Last
session a senate bill threatened to sunset the funding. Becky Berger is here to assist counties who
are not yet in the E911 system. Please
stop by the 911 table in the exhibits to see her.
Mike Murray, Chair, Lewis and Clark County
Murray read the following Delegate
Assembly Rules:
“Rule 1 Any resolution or bylaw change from a member district or county not submitted at the District meeting must be submitted to the Resolutions Committee no later than the Sunday before the Annual Convention in order to be presented to the Board of Directors for their approval.
Rule 2 Any resolution or bylaw change not
submitted through Rule 1 will not be considered by the Delegate Assembly unless
two-thirds of the delegates present and voting elect to suspend the rules to
consider late proposals. Late proposals
shall be accompanied by copies for all delegates and shall be available prior
to the Introduction and Consideration of Bylaw Changes or Resolutions.”
Murray announced all the “High Priority” Resolutions
and added
2002-39A County Government’s Role in Relationship
with State and Federal Agencies
2002-40B Crediting Interest to Individual Funds
2002-42 Allowing Payment of Fees and Taxes by
Credit Card
For “Medium Priority”, he read the
list and added
2002-32 Annexation of Land Contiguous to Zoning
Districts (had been
tabled
by Committee until re-drafted)
2002-41 Increased Funding for New Cooperative
Extension Service Positions
2002-43 Counties with Less than 15,000 Population
Allowed to Create an Office of County Auditor
He
announced that 2002-44 Evacuation
Refusal Authority had been tabled at the Board of Directors Meeting. It was to be referred to Montana Sheriff
and Peace Officers Association.
Jean Curtiss, Missoula County,
moved that the Resolutions as listed be accepted for action at General Session
on Wednesday. The motion was seconded
and passed.
Murray
announced that on Wednesday, the session to segregate resolutions for
discussion will occur. He called for
further resolution introductions.
Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County, moved that Resolution 2002-45 Alter Fire District or Fire Service Area Boundaries upon Municipal Annexation be considered with the high priority resolutions. The motion was seconded and passed.
Ed Arnott, Judith Basin
County,
asked that a resolution on endangered species be allowed for introduction on
Wednesday. Chair Murray explained that
there will need to be a motion to suspend rules at that time in order to have
introduction of the resolution.
Gary Fjelstad, MACo Past President, Rosebud County
Most of the proposed amendments were brought forth during the Glendive conference
as a result of the process there. They were presented at district meetings.
AMENDMENT ONE
Section IV DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
c) The Executive Committee shall serve as an Evaluation Committee
for purposes of annually evaluating the performance of the Executive Director by
surveying the member Boards of County Commissioners. Such evaluation shall be reported to the
Board of Directors.
This will allow every county’s board to have input
on the executive director evaluation.
Article V EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Section 1 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(add paragraph to
existing text)
The hiring of an Assistand Director by the Executive
Director requires the concurrence of the Executive Committee and confirmation
by the Board of Directors.
This will allow the Executive Board to participate
in the hiring of the Assistant Director.
AMENDMENT THREE
Article VI BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section
3 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
j) function as the nominating committee and select at least two
candidates each for the offices of Second Vice President and Fiscal
Officer. No candidate can be
nominated and run for two offices simultaneously. Nominations may be made at district meetings
of county commissioners and submitted to the Board.
AMENDMENT FOUR
Article IX ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND PROCEDURES
Section 4 NOMINATIONS
c) All nominations will be remain open until the time
of the election during the closing closed at the conclusion of the
opening general session.
This will allow nominations to remain open until election, to always have an opportunity to nominate a candidate.
The
first four amendments will become effective upon adjournment of this Annual
Conference and will not affect this year’s meeting.
AMENDMENT FIVE
Article III OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section
1 OFFICERS
The officers are the President, First Vice
President, Second Vice President, Class 1-A
County Representative, Fiscal Officer and the Past President, all of whom
must be qualified and acting commissioners of member counties. The officers shall serve as the Executive
Committee. These officers, excluding
the Class 1A County Representative, will be elected at the annual
conference by the membership. No two
of these officers shall be from the same county. They shall hold office until their successors are elected and
qualified, so long as they shall remain in county office as county
commissioners.
William
Duffield, Fallon County
The issue was not that there
were two candidates from same county, but that the Bylaws required two
candidates for each election.
Gayle
Morris, Cascade County
How will these amendments
affect the Urban Counties representative?
Fjelstad responded that the Urban Counties Representative is determined by urban counties, not by the conference delegates as a whole.
Todd
Devlin, Prairie County
I brought this concern up at
the last conference. You may have
thought I was picking on big counties, but rather I was pointing out the
possibility that three of six people on our Executive Committee could be from
same urban county.
Mike
Murray, Lewis and Clark County
Urban counties are meeting
twice during this conference to discuss this.
Janet
Kelly, Custer County
What is the effective date
on this proposal? If we delay until our
next annual conference, then this next year’s session will allow nominations as
we do now--with the possibilities of double/triple representation. It is unwise and unfair.
Chair Fjelstad responded that the amendments would not affect currently serving officers but we are facing a shuffle as a result of Vic Miller’s situation.
Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County
The Urban County
Representative is the only position excluded.
What if the rural counties later want to put on a representative?
Bill
Tande, Daniels County
What is the process to
appoint a second vice president and why not change the amendments to become
effective in 2002?
Chair
Fjelstad responded that the Bylaws allow the President to appoint a new second
vice president, if there is a vacancy.
A change in an effective date can be made by amendment on Wednesday.
Peggy
Beltrone, Cascade County
I need a flow chart to show the possible shuffling that will need to be done.
President Harmon suggested minimizing reports and
reminded the delegates to fill out workshop evaluation forms. The evaluations are used to determine future
workshops.
He also reminded everyone that the biographical
forms need to be completed to assist the next president in appointing MACo
committees.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Your involvement in upcoming
legislative session is needed. The most
important thing is to make your county felt.
For example during the recent session, there was a proposal to limit the
requirement for the State to pay detention centers for state held
prisoners. When it came up in
committee, we counties lined up. The
sponsor admitted that she wrote it and that she made a mistake. We made a difference.
I urge all of you to get in for this session and
help protect all of us.
You have a copy of 2002
final report and proposed 2003 budget.
To summarize, 2002 report shows a one-time expense and revenue for the
WIR convention. Revenue from the
Billings WIR convention exceeded expenses by $8,000. This money will be held for bids on future conferences.
Overall, revenue exceeded
expenditures by about $200,000. About
$15,000 was shifted to capital items.
This is not reflected on the expenditure report.
The Committee members were
Frank Nelson, Madison County; Alan Underdal, Toole County; William Duffield,
Fallon County; Mike Hutchin, Lake County; Gayle Morris, Cascade County; and
Sandra Boardman, Clerk and Recorder from Blaine County.
Gayle Morris, Cascade County
On the 2003 projection for
revenues, does it reflect a general increase in dues or is it reflecting the
increase for the proposed IT position?
Watson responded that the increase was primarily due to changes in the classification of some counties. The IT position would be in a separate line item.
NACo INTERNET
UNIVERSITY (NIU)
Lois Kampinsky
It is very difficult for NACo
to do workshops at every conference. At
some big conferences there are up to 50 workshops, so it is hard to reach
everyone. So, NACo partnered with US
Department of Transportation to develop training to be accessed over the
Internet. This allowed the size of the
libraries to be big enough to offer at low cost.
The slogan for the sessions
is “e-learning for county problem solving”.
There are 500 courses in each of the libraries. The libraries are Information Technology
Library and the Professional Skill Development Library. A county can purchase access to the full
library for use by individuals or by groups.
The fee is $195 per person per year for access. No individual courses are sold. The courses
are in text format, with some visuals.
There are two free courses, one in Risk Management and one in Retirement
Planning.
NACo is hoping to work with
state associations to promote the use of NIU.
More information on NIU can be found at www.nacoiu.org
Chief Justice Karla Gray, Montana Supreme Court
The
district court assumption was MACo’s bill.
Implementation was handed to us after the end of the legislative
session. On July 1, 2001, we started
assumption with one year to implement.
Employees, programs and policies were ready on time-July 1, 2002! No one had a clue what they were asking us
to accomplish in one year. The District
Court Council consists of five voting members (myself and four district court
judges) and four non-voting members.
Mike Hutchin of Lake County is your representative.
The
employee part is where counties did well and the judicial branch will have real
problems in future. We assumed 275
employees from counties. With them, we
assumed 44,000 hours of annual leave, 91,000 hours of sick leave and 4,000
hours of excess annual leave.
Legislators were aghast to learn of these benefit obligations. This item alone results in about $1 million
of unfunded liability. Excess annual
leave must be used by March first of 2003.
Many of our employees will be away from jobs. We grew from a branch of 61 employees to 330 employees in one
swoop.
Appropriation
is $18.3 million for this year; those numbers were based on county reports to
DOR. Even though $25 million was the
original amount, we were significantly under-funded. There was no funding for IT and connecting to state system, which
by itself is quarter million a year.
The District Court Council approved, at MACo’s suggestion, an initial reimbursable
cost rate of 65% during the first year, with the understanding that the rate
might be reduced as the year goes on.
It is up for reconsideration in October. This percentage will not go up.
Funding for the new judgeships in Cascade and Ravalli Counties was
obtained during the special session; it had been missed during last regular
session.
The
future? We must work together on budget
and funding areas. We are far behind
schedule; our budget is just now going over to the Budget Office. For indigent defense (estimated at $12+
million), for IT, for the employee pay plan, it is critical that we get the needed budget. A future test is the reallocation of
resources among the district courts.
The bottom line is that someone has to pay I don’t care if it‘s the state or the counties, although during
the last session, the state said it would do it. For me to run this, anything we don’t get from the legislature to
run and fund the courts adequately, WILL BE PUSHED BACK ON YOU. The judicial branch will not be
under-funded, so we need your help on the budgeting side to keep this from
falling back on you. When we get the
budget to the Budget Office, we will have a clearer picture.
For
IT, we are proposing increasing the surcharge fee from $5 to $10. We need an increase of around $2 million out
of general fund in next session for IT.
It's not very likely we can get it given the state's fiscal straits, so
we are trying to backfill the IT funding through the surcharge. We must have your support on this fee. We cannot operate our branch without
adequate IT funding and coverage.
Whatever our squabbles may be about the surcharge, we need your support
for this bill.
Another
legislative proposal is to clean up the state assumption bill, such as to
provide an exemption from workers comp. for independent contractor court
reporters, etc. We're not proposing any
substantive changes to state assumption, just trying to get the money we need
to run the state courts. This is still
your bill and any changes the legislature might want to make are legislative
issues.
One
area reviewed by the Judiciary is the mandate enumerating involuntary and youth
court proceedings to determine what are district court costs and what are
not. Indigent defense should be state,
not county, expense. We identified
which functions and portions of the process are judicial branch costs and we
followed current law in doing that. We
did identify some costs that are executive functions, but did not try to say
whether a state executive agency or the counties should be paying.
QUESTIONS
Jean Curtiss, Missoula
County
Reimbursements
still aren’t done for ’02. Will FY ’03
be like this year?
Because
of staffing levels, the need to get state assumption up by July 1, the special
session and the upcoming regular session, we are tardy with this and with other
things. Right now we are a full month
behind in getting the budget to the Budget Office. I apologize for being late.
We will get caught up as soon as we can and stay current after.
Jim Deckert, Dawson
County
Whose
responsibility is it to keep law libraries current?
Law
libraries were for the county, the public and the courts. The county part and the public part are not
coming under assumption. We are paying
for basic resources for judges and staffs only.
What
is the definition of legal resources for staff and for the district? The expectation is that the law library
will be kept current. In a multi-county
district, is that the responsibility of our county alone? Other counties have not helped. We are confused about how to handle it.
I
don’t know how this will shake out in multi-county districts. If what you have is a public, county
employee AND judicial law library, we are not funding library materials for a
public and county law library. We are
funding only minimally adequate resources for judges and staff.
Harold Blattie, MACo
Assistant Director
In
no place in statute does it state that a county is responsibility to maintain
county law library. How the District Court
Council chooses to distribute money is yet to be known.
Judges
themselves have just this week begin noticing that their resources are
inadequate and this will be taken up at the next meeting.
Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone
County
If
the moneys we sent for the law library have gone to district courts, and we
have our own library open to public, will the court use it?
We
will fund research resources as we said, but funding is so low. Judiciary will not fund public access
library, only minimal legal resources
Mary Sexton, Teton County
ACLU
sued on indigent defense; we hope to have counties out and shifted to
state. Won’t public defenders have
access to the law library?
I
cannot comment as this relates to lawsuits.
Will public defender costs come back to counties during the next
session? It depends. I think the bottom line is that what I
cannot get to cover our costs, the fall-back to the counties will not end July
2003, but will continue so that counties will stay on the hook. We need to work together on big ticket
items.
Art Kleinjan, Blaine
County
I
don’t feel comfortable contracting for public defenders. When we negotiate a contract, we are
spending your money, which you may not have.
It was amazing that the lawyers made sizeable increases in bids to us.
The
Judiciary is not the employer of public defenders, so we have no contractual
authority to hire them. Frankly I am
not interesting in having them. Part of
these questions may be answered at the end of ACLU lawsuits. There is a proposal out there to create a
public defender commission to take on statewide management/contracting. Your Resolution 2002-35 is to consider
this. Senator Walter McNutt of Sidney will
carry this.
Jim Reno, Yellowstone
County
What
is your position on justice of the peace courts as a court of record?
We have no position. We have no position on the "Larry
Herman" bill.
(Justice of Peace Larry
Herman, Yellowstone County)
Carol Kienenberger,
Phillips County
Sizeable
increases in support staff salaries were given by district court judges. Is there consideration for consolidating
support staff as a cost saving measure?
Are
we looking consolidating judicial districts?
No, and I don’t anticipate doing that.
Raises
given just before transition made the Governor’s Budget Office unhappy. However, nothing can be done about it
now. We had to take employees over at
their existing rates of pay on July 1.
I wrote to district judges who ran up budgets via sizeable salary increases,
stating that they harmed other districts by doing that.
Cutting
staff? Certainly not. Some districts are understaffed; most are
probably at adequate staffing levels. I
don’t know about any over-staffing.
Elaine Mann, Broadwater
County
County
funding is hard to find. We don’t mind
helping as we can. How can we help
support you to get funding from the legislature?
That
is part of your MACo legislative strategy.
You’ll be hearing from Gordon and Harold when we need help from
you. I don’t want costs back in your
laps, but I can’t do this by myself.
We
had this bill because judges could order us to do things. Can they order you?
No
In
the area of public defense, judges often don’t ask if there are other means for
reimbursement. They seem afraid of
lawsuits for inadequate defense, so they just allow reimbursement from the
county without asking each case if there are other sources.
Statutes
require judges to ask about other sources available to pay for defense. If there is a problem out there, I have not
been aware of it or of their not asking.
If the judges are not requiring legal showing for appointment of public
defense, then they are not operating right and I need to know. If you can document any examples, I will be
happy to look into it.
Pat Conway, Hill County
When
the legislature funds at certain levels, and the counties are to pick up the
tab for the leftovers costs, who will watch the expansion?
Judges
are aware they have lost control over their funding. I keep trying to get them to understand that the legislature now
has control of FTEs. The judges will
not run wild, because neither I nor the District Court Council nor the
legislature will stand for it.
Harold Blattie, MACo
Assistant Director
Please
elaborate on the efforts of the Council on the analysis for workload and
staffing.
Resource
reallocation by the District Court Council has just begun. State assumption has been an enormous
workload, but we are through the first year. We are behind in the budgeting
process, but now we are beginning to look at workloads, staffing, costs, etc.
in the various district courts to come up with what costs are minimally
adequate. We want to move the have-not
judges up without separately increasing the size of the pie. We hope to find the cheapest quickest way to
get to equalization of the district courts, so that all will have at least
minimal resources. It is going to be a
painful process
The
notion of the five of us refereeing disputes regarding needs and funding among
district courts is not an attractive prospect, but we will do it as well as we
can. State assumption is and will
continue to be a work in progress and I hope we can work together.
Earl Martin, Granite
County
In
past we have had District Court command us to raise their budget.
You must call us the instant that
happens. 444-2623 is my direct number.
Jane Jelinski, Director
You will be receiving a
letter from the Local Government Center.
Recently the Montana Department of Health and Human Services has
received funds for homeland bio-terrorism training. They have contracted with us to convene a summit for public
health officers. We have had a
difficult time identifying the part-time and shared health officers. We ask you to encourage all health officers
to attend the meeting in November.
Travel expenses will be paid by the grant.
Dean Harmon, President
The slate of candidates is:
President: Victor Miller, Blaine County
First Vice President: Carol Brooker, Sanders County
Second Vice President: Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County
John
Prinkki, Carbon County
President Harmon called for further nominations. Seeing none, the motion to close nominations was seconded and passed.
MACo 2003 Conference will be
in Lewistown, hosted by Fergus County.
We
invite and welcome you all. All facilities are ready, including our two
golf courses.
Cascade, Missoula and Yellowstone Counties have indicated their bids. Voting will be on Wednesday morning.
Jean
Curtiss, Missoula County
We invite you to choose
Missoula County, where Lewis and Clark visited, named the Clarks Fork River and
had the first Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi near
Missoula. Convention hotel will be the
Holiday Inn. Missoula is a walkable
community with ten acres of parks and trails along the river and a free
trolley. We promise great food. The packets before you have brochures.
Peggy
Beltrone, Cascade County
In Great Falls, the Best
Western Heritage Inn will host us with no meeting room charges. The center has had extensive
remodeling. Lewis and Clark spent 23
days in the area; we are asking you to spend three in 2004.
Bill
Kennedy, Yellowstone County
Yellowstone County withdraws
its bid in order to bid on WIR next year.
LUNCHEON SPEAKER WAS
KAREN MILLER, boone county Missouri,
NACo VICE PRESIDENT AND INCOMING NACo PRESIDENT. TEXT OF HER PRESENTATION IS ATTACHED TO THE MINUTES. (Attachment One)
TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE
Vern
Petersen, Fergus County
Our last two meetings dealt
with resolutions, so my report is on that.
2002-9
County Use of State Waters
We endorsed this and we have
a sponsor.
2002-12
Surveying Contracts
This is for the request for proposal (rfp)
process. We’ll be working with professionals
and their lobbying organizations so that we will not be blindsided.
2002-16
Revising Competitive Bidding Requirements
Currently, over $5,000 we have to contract. We will attempt to get that out. We have both Senate and House sponsors. We have been working with Contractors
Association. This is not an easy bill.
For all of these, please go
to legislators before they go to Helena to make them aware of what we are
trying to do.
2002-27
Municipal Annexations to Include Streets and Roads
We would like to see them take the entire rights of
way, rather than only to the center of the road. The City Manager in Lewistown, points out that if they annex
entire right of way then they have adjoining strip of land, but they cannot
asses it for maintenance funds. So we
will need a little more work to solve this problem
2002-28
County Ability to Set Lower Speed Limits
The Committee doesn’t support this resolution. We will talk about it tomorrow during the
Resolution discussions.
2002-29 City
Funding and Maintenance of Bridges
We recommended that this
Resolution be tabled.
2000 10
Prevailing Wage Rate Requirements
2000-11
Bidding Requirements for Local Governments
2000-32
Limitation on County Road and Bridge Depreciation Reserve Funds
These are all repeats. There should not be any problems.
Purchase of easements across
state school sections was heavily discussed in the Committee. This is a Constitutional issue at both the
state and federal levels. We are not
sure how we are going to solve this, if we have to change constitutions.
However, we can make good arguments that we are providing county roads with no
one else participating. We need
prescriptive easements for these roads.
TAXATION,
FINANCE AND BUDGET COMMITTEE
Dan
Watson, Rosebud County
1998-26 Ownership of Records
We recommend not reaffirming
this resolution because SB 176 addresses it.
1998-18 Safeguarding County Interest Income
We OK’d this.
1999-8
Revisions to County Capital Improvement Program Laws
Reaffirm
1999-7 County Treasurer Duties and Responsibilities--Reaffirm
2002-6
Continue Entitlement Growth Rate of at Least 3%
We agree with the “table”
because of HB 18 and the formula from HB 124.
2002-26 Interlocal Agreements to Create Regional Jails
The “do pass” recommendation came from Public Safety
Committee. Our committee recommended
“do not pass” because we questioned why MACo should be paying for only those
counties that are interested in regional jails. This is not an obligation of the Association.
2002-34 Prevent State Deductions from County Monies
We recommend “do pass” as
proposed. We discussed clarifying code
language.
2002-35 State Public Defender System
Do Pass
2002-40B
Crediting Interest to Individual Funds
We concur because this gives
commissions the authority to decide distribution.
2002-42 Allowing Payment of Fees and Taxes by Credit Card
We concur and we want to
find the State Code section, which may authorize state government but just
mentions local government. We want to
specify counties.
RESOLUTIONS
COMMITTEE
Mike
Murray, Lewis and Clark County
We have two new resolutions.
2002-10A Payment of Local
Registrar Fees.
This will be segregated as a new or changed
resolution. It is being printed and
will be available tomorrow. It adds a
proposed language change.
2002-45 To Alter Fire
District or Fire Service Area Boundaries upon Municipal Annexation has been
given a “do pass with high priority” recommendation and was referred to Public
Lands Committee.
PUBLIC
LANDS COMMITTEE
Connie
Eissinger, McCone County
Wally Congdon, Missoula, an
attorney working with Beaverhead County as an advisor on cooperating agency
statute, informed the Committee on how important it is to have a resource plan
in place as part of your growth plan.
We would like to have MACo’s
assistance in getting us together in a workshop on growth plans.
2002-39
Establishing County Role with State and Federal Agencies
The Committee made a minor change this morning in
the second “Be It Resolved” section by adding Section “F”.
Elaine Allestad, who is
serving on a committee on endangered species, requests copies of land use plans
which have language on endangered species to use in her committee work.
LAND
USE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Howard
Gipe, Flathead County
2002-30
Charging Fees for Process Exemption Applications
2002-32S
Annexation of Land Contiguous to Zoning Districts
2002-45
Alter Fire District or Fire Service Area Boundaries upon Municipal
Annexation
There will be a Growth Planning
meeting at 9:00 am on October 24th.
We invite any counties with growth problems to the MACo office. Growth policies have major problems, along
with district courts and the Big Bill.
JUSTICE
AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Dan
Gutebier, Park County
2002-26
Interlocal Agreements to Create Regional Jails
We recommend passing, although the recommendation
was not that MACo would pay for a study.
Regardless of how it turns out, please contact the Committee because we
will be moving ahead.
2002-35
State Public Defender System
This is a resolution for
administration.
2000-25
Detention Costs for Department of Corrections Inmates
The State should pay for incarceration costs. The last legislature didn’t pass this
proposal. It has been given a “Do Pass
with Low Priority” recommendation. We
think it should be changed to “High Priority” because it affects every
county. Even though this will be hard
to pass, we need to keep on this.
HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Bill
Kennedy, Yellowstone County
Chair Kennedy introduced
Gail Gray, Director of Department of Public Health and Human Services, and John
Chappuis, Deputy Director.
2002-8
Administration of Indigent Defense and Youth in Need of Care
The Committee supports state
assumption and supports the high priority.
2002-19
Communities as Focal Points for Mental Health Services
We are working with county attorneys and peace
officers on regional services
2002-20
Increase Assessment on Medicaid Provider Rate
All of us serve on boards
and know rates haven’t changed in years.
2002-21
Retain Control of Substance Abuse Dollars
This is about the money that was switched from
substance abuse funds and other money shifted in. We would like to go back to original SB 264, providing a cap with
dollars coming back to counties. The
sunset provision from the special session is supported.
2002-22
Reimbursement for Increased Indirect Costs
We have gone back and forth with DPHHS for
forgiveness on money owed by counties.
We are asking for reimbursement for those who did pay the bill.
2002-23 Prisoner Medical Expenses Assumed by the State
We may make changes in this
from all medical expenses being assumed to
if prisoner has personal insurance or is eligible
for Medicaid, then that should be used.
The costs would revert back to county on the third step if nothing was
available from insurance or Medicaid.
We want to use other insurance before the cost comes back to counties.
2002-24 Involuntary Commitment Expenses Paid by the State
We want to expand costs assumed by state to include
transportation and lodging. County
attorneys and Sheriffs/Peace Officers have been included in discussions.
2002-25
Mental Health Pre-commitment Costs
We think that other services should be used before
coming back to the counties. We ask
that counties be payers of last resort, so that if there is other insurance, it
is used before counties pay.
2002-37
Funding of Summer Youth Employment Program
2002-38
Maintain Standard Utility Allowance Through FY 2003
We will continue to work to
carry funds through.
2000-3 Funding for Local Boards of Health Inspections
We met with public health officers and will work
with them. Jean Curtis will take lead.
AGRICULTURE
COMMITTEE
Kathy
Bessette, Hill County
We have three resolutions
and a fourth (2002-41) from this morning.
2002-3
Wildlife Management to Prevent Depredation of Crops
Elaine Mann, Broadwater
County, brought this to us. We have a
sponsor.
2002-4 Local Drought Advisory Committees
These are both “High
Priority.”
2002-5 County Weather Station Project
This is “Medium Priority.” The State Drought Advisory Committee requested results of the
surveys from the new county weather stations because the information has soil
conditions. The National Drought
Committee will use this information, too, if the information can get to
them. Ed Diemert, Liberty County, and
Tom Gordon, Toole County, are to be commended because they helped establish
this.
2002-41 Increased Funding for New Cooperative Extension Service Positions
The concern from the Committee and from visitors to our meeting is that if the new 8½ positions were funded, what would happen to counties which have no positions now because of the hiring freeze. We made recommendations which will be presented tomorrow. Dr. Bryant, MSU Extension, was on hand to help in discussion. Chair Bessette introduced Dr. Bryant and thanked him for his help.
Weeds and water rights were
also discussed. The Committee will be
watching other groups and will be proactive instead of reactive.
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
Mary
Sexton, Teton County
Main reason for Board
Resolution 2002-1 is a matter of fiscal responsibility and efficiency. Large counties have information technology
support, but not others. There is
continued complexity and change in information technology. MACITA has been dormant recently because of
lack of communication, so their assisting counties has been quiet.
How
will this position be funded?
It is the intent that this position become self-funded. For the first two years, the State (Information Technology Services Division) will fund half the costs. ITSD is an enterprise entity, outside the State general fund. The other half will come from a 25% dues assessment for a two year period. The intent is to have the second year be much less, with the assessments ranging from $5 to $1,700 a year.
What
will be the benefit for large counties?
Bulk purchasing
Standardization among
counties
Communications among
counties and between counties and the State
Are
other office holders participating?
Will they have ‘outsiders’ telling them what to do?
No, this would have outside
information available, which could be of use to other department heads and
staffs.
What
will be the continued State involvement?
The position will be
overseen by MACo IT Committee and housed at MACo. The position can be used by all counties for communication,
technical assistance and coordination.
A SYNOPSIS OF THE
PRESENTATION BY DEE LEE, “GROW YOUR OWN NEST EGG,” IS ATTACHED TO THESE
MINUTES. (Attachment Two)
COMMENTS FROM THE
HONORABLE JUDY MARTZ, GOVERNOR OF MONTANA ARE ATTACHED TO THESE MINUTES. (Attachment Three)
The
remainder of the day consisted of choices of the following workshops:
Rules
for Lobbying Mike Murray,
Lewis and Clark County, Moderator
Joseph
Mazurek, Attorney-at-Law and Lobbyist
Mona
Jamison, Attorney-at-Law and Lobbyist
Gordon
Morris, MACo Executive Director
The Top Ten Ways to Guarantee
Employee Lawsuits
Jack
Holstrom, MACo JPIA Personnel Services
Intergovernmental Transfers Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County,
Moderator
Mike
Hanshew, DPHHS Long Term Care
Legislative Lobbying Mike Murray, Lewis and Clark County,
Moderator
Senator
Emily Stonington, Bozeman
Joseph
Mazurek, Attorney-at-Law and Lobbyist
Mona
Jamison, Attorney-at-Law and Lobbyist
Contemporary
Issues Dean Harmon, MACo
President, Roosevelt County
Gordon
Morris, MACo Executive Director
Harold
Blattie, MACo Assistant Director
Welfare Reform Update Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County, and
Jean
Curtiss, Missoula County, co-moderators
Janet
Bush, Missoula Childcare Resources
Patty
Guiberson, Butte Regional Field Office
Joan
Brenner, Four County Welfare Director
GENERAL
SESSION
President Dean Harmon called the session to
order.
Fiscal Officer Dan Watson conducted the roll call and announced that 53 of the 55 member counties were present.
President Harmon read sections of a letter from US
Senator Max Baucus which focused on highway funding and Payment in Lieu of
Taxes (PILT). (Full text of the Baucus
letter is Attachment Four at the end of
these minutes.)
Parliamentarian John Prinkki reviewed the MACo
Delegate Assembly Rules and announced that the Chair would use discretion on
any debates in order to move the proceedings forward. The intent of the session is to go through all the resolutions
and allow segregation for any to be discussed.
President Harmon encouraged full debate with focus
on effective and concise debates.
Each
county has one vote.
Mike Murray, Lewis and Clark County
Although not an agenda item,
Murray announced that the Urban Counties Coalition has elected Howard Gipe,
Flathead County, as its MACo Board member for the upcoming year.
HIGH PRIORITY RESOLUTIONS
The following “High
Priority” resolutions were segregated for debate:
2002-4 2002-28
2002-10A 2002-35
2002-23 2002-39
2002-26 2002-45
A
motion by Mark Rehbein, Richland County, to pass all high priority resolutions,
except those segregated was seconded by Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County. Motion passed.
HIGH PRIORITY RESOLUTIONS
2002-1 Wireless Communication Standardized Regulations
2002-2 Internet Motor Vehicle Registration Renewal
2002-3 Wildlife Management to Prevent Depredation of Crops
2002-8 Administration of Indigent Defense ad Youth in Need of Care
2002-9 County Use of State Waters
2002-11 Compensation of Election Judges
2002-12 Architectural, Engineering and Land Surveying Contracts
2002-14 Amending the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act
2002-15 Exempt Levies Pledged Against Indebtedness
2002-16 Revising Competitive Bidding Requirements
2002-17 Clarifying Public Officer Participation in Organizations
2002-18 Expand the Definition of “Elected Official”
2002-19 Communities as Focal Points for Mental Health Services
2002-20 Increase Assessment on Medicaid Provider Rate
2002-21 Retain Control of Substance Abuse Dollars
2002-22 Reimbursement for Increased Indirect Costs
2002-24 Involuntary Commitment Expenses Paid by the State
2002-25 Mental Health Pre-commitment Costs
2002-30 Charging Fees for Processing Exemption Applications
2002-33 Local E-Government Convenience Fees
2002-34 Prevent State Deductions from County Monies
2002-37 Funding of the Summer Youth Employment Program
2002-38 Maintain Standard Utility Allowance Through FY 2003
2002-40 Crediting Interest to Individual Funds
2002-42 Allowing Payment of Fees and Taxes by Credit Card
Resolution 2002-4 Local Drought Advisory Committees
William Duffield, Fallon
County
Will this make it mandatory
that every county have a drought committee?
Kathy Bessette, Hill County,
Agriculture Committee Chair
No. The resolution recommends
the creation of drought committees.
Ed Diemert, Liberty County
This resolution came from State Drought
Committee. They want to get information
from the local levels so that they can make good decisions.
William
Duffield moved that 2002-04 be passed as high priority. The motion was seconded and passed.
Resolution 2002-10
Payment of Local Registrar Fees
Jennifer
Smith Mitchell, Gallatin County
Gallatin County does 10,000 certificates a
year. The law is not clear that we can
charge for the work. The fee, when
properly allowed, should go to county coffers.
The proposed language in Section 4 should say that the “registrar should
be employed by the county.”
Carl Seilstad,
Fergus County
It’s not the county but the state which picks the
registrar. If we put in “should”, we
would have to pay the state employee directly, which we think is double
dipping. We want to make them legal
also.
Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone
County
For some things, we pay the State Department of
Health. So in that last paragraph, if
it’s met the approval of the clerk and recorder, it makes us legal to pay the
department. In some of the counties,
you would pay people who are not county employees.
Vic Miller, Blaine County
Sandy Boardman is here
representing the Clerks and Recorders.
I would
like her to tell us what
they think.
Sandy Boardman, Clerk and
Recorder Association
We have questions.
If registrar is employed by county and is and elected official, is the
elected official considered an employee?
Carl Seilstad, Fergus County
If an elected official is paid by county, then that
person would be considered an employee.
Sandy Boardman, Clerk and
Recorders Association
We have not considered an
elected official as an employee.
Jean Curtiss, Missoula
County
As an elected official, if you are asked who is your
employer, you put the county. We had
concerns with first draft and we think amendment will work for us. I support the change in the proposed
language.
Mike Murray, Lewis and Clark
County
If you are elected AND you
are paid again, it is double dipping.
Carol Kienenberger, Phillips
County
Sandy, did the clerk and
recorders support this at your convention?
Sandy Boardman, Clerk and
Recorders Association
The changes allow us to
support the resolution.
Carl
Seilstad, Fergus County moved to adopt the resolution. Carol Kienenberger, Phillips County,
seconded and the motion carried.
Resolution 2002-23 Prisoner Medical Expenses Assumed by State
Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone
County
In the last paragraph, in the “Now, therefore, be it
resolved”, we wouldn’t have a prayer if state were to assume all costs. However, if there is another source for funds that would pick up the costs, then
county could be last resort.
Parliamentarian Prinkki stated that there was to be a motion to adopt the resolution before it could be amended.
A motion to adopt was presented by Carol Keinenberger, Phillips County, and Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County, seconded the motion.
A motion by Bill
Kennedy to amend the resolution in the final paragraph to read …”would require
the county to be the payer of last resort for all medical expenses of county
prisoners.” The motion to amend was
seconded and passed.
The motion to adopt the resolution as amended was
seconded and passed.
Resolution
2002-26 Interlocal Agreements to Create
Regional Jails
A motion by
William Duffield, Fallon County, to adopt the resolution with “do not pass”
recommendation was seconded.
William
Duffield, Fallon County
The Budget Committee
recommended “do not pass” for this resolution because a group of counties
should be able to come up with their own plan.
The Justice Committee had it as a “high priority”.
Todd
Devlin, Prairie County
Why
was this resolution considered?
John
Prinkki, Carbon County
John Pretty on Top requested
the resolution following the meetings with Yellowstone County to house
prisoners. However, the issue in the
resolution involves the expansion of any jail.
This question arose, “If a county had the need to expand, could other
counties be able to utilize the new facility?”
Counties around Yellowstone County had a facilitated discussion. We were not able to sponsor discussions in
other counties but other commissioners need to know about this issue. If we have contract with a county to house
our prisoners, and a debt is incurred for a new facility, we need a way to work
on the new expenses. Examples from
other states may not fit our state, so we thought it would be better that MACo
support some entity other than a host county to facilitate discussion. We need to look at regional jails and we
need options to help host counties expand.
William
Duffield, Fallon County
This sets a precedence. We felt this was not appropriate for
MACo. Counties could group together as
they need.
Alan
Thompson, Ravalli County
Would
this resolution include juvenile detention?
Mike
Murray, Lewis and Clark County
No
John
Prinkki, Carbon County
Those systems do not have
juvenile detention facilities, but this is a good example of how this would be
helpful for the whole Association to look at this, not just the host
county.
Frank
Nelson, Madison County
We had this in the Finance
Committee. All counties can do studies
which cost about $2000. I don’t think
this is a big enough deal that MACo should be paying for it.
John
Pretty on Top, Big Horn County
This started because of my
request to look at this system.
Liability of jails is big concern.
Original planning was not adequate.
Current requirements are beyond what we can afford. We thought our counties could go ahead with
this, but realized other counties have same problem.
John
Prinkki, Carbon County
In the process there will be
options. We can do this ourselves
locally, but we may not pick options that fit other counties. So we think everyone should be at planning
table.
Todd
Devlin, Prairie County
If
you do it locally and pay for it, will you share the findings?
John
Prinkki, Carbon County
Yes, we will share, but it may not fit your situation.
Motion to “do
not pass” was defeated on voice vote. A
show of hands was requested and indicated 17 for “do not pass” and 29 against
“do not pass”.
Motion to adopt “Do Pass” recommendation was seconded and carried.
2002-28 County Ability to Set Lower Speed Limits
Vern Petersen,
Fergus County, moved for a “do not pass” recommendation. Jamie Doggett, Meagher County,
seconded.
Vern
Petersen, Fergus County
There was no support in the
Transportation Committee. He asked
Committee members to comment.
Eric Griffin, Lewis and Clark County
Road Supervisor; MACRS
As the state statute reads
now, we already have consistency.
According to the manual, a speed study requires that 80% of the traffic
flows determine that 15mph is established.
This will be very rare. This
resolution will make it extremely confusing and difficult to do the work.
Kelly
Gebhardt, Musselshell County
In rural counties, we don’t
have enough law enforcement to enforce speed limits. Travelers will be more comfortable if speed limits are same from
county to county.
(Commissioner
not identified.)
Are speed limits
grandfathered in or would this require us to increase lower speeds back up to
35?
Kelly
Gebhardt, Musselshell County
If it’s already posted, an
officer would not write ticket at for the lower speed, only if above 35.
Jennifer
Smith Mitchell, Gallatin County
In urban district
designations, (houses 100 feet apart or closer), you can have an ordinance down
to 25. It is enforceable if you pass an
ordinance on speed limit. This
resolution came from our county and had district support. There were no standards for streets in old
subdivisions. Residents want 15 mph but
we can’t pass that and have it be enforced.
We can’t afford a state study on
speed, but we can do local study. This
resolution
is intended to give counties a process to set speed limits.
Carol
Kienenberger, Phillips County
This
is a way to pass an ordinance for an urban district only.
Jennifer
Smith Mitchell, Gallatin County
Urban districts can set
speed by ordinance, but it cannot be lower than 25, unless in a school zone.
The motion for a “do not pass” recommendation passed.
2002-35 State Public Defender System
Jean Curtiss, Missoula County,
moved for a “do not pass” recommendation.
There was no second to the motion.
So, Curtiss moved for a “do pass” recommendation. The motion was seconded.
Jean Curtiss, Missoula County
Our public defender system different from most counties. It’s our own department; we have no contracts. We need time to work through district court assumption before we do this.
Mike
Murray, Lewis and Clark County
Lewis
and Clark County also has public defenders on staff.
Bill
Kennedy, Yellowstone County
We also have public
defenders on staff. We think state
should be paying for these.
Jennifer
Smith Mitchell, Gallatin County
This is the text from an
email from our county attorney, “Handing this off to the State is a guarantee
of future lawsuits because the State won’t do it right. These cases will be filed not only against
the State, but in a sense the Counties as well, because all of our prosecutions
and convictions will be at risk through an inadequate defender system.”
Gallatin county will not support this resolution.
Peggy
Beltrone, Cascade County
In-house
public defenders are best. This is best
left in house.
Art Kleinjan, Blaine County
Blaine County supports this,
since we do not have public defenders and we are being sued because we do not
have adequate public defense. Let the State take this over. We cannot handle the public defender contracts
as they are coming across now.
Elaine
Mann, Broadwater County
In our small county, our
public defender came to us and doubled his contract this year. We have only one person running for county
attorney because of what we can afford to pay.
Alan
Thompson, Ravalli County
Ravalli County is also being
sued by ACLU. There would be continuity
in public defense if it were taken over by state.
Jennifer
Smith Mitchell, Gallatin County
Is there a way to re-word
the resolution so that not all counties would have to go to the State?
The motion passed on a hand count with 42 affirmative
votes.
2002-39--Establishing
a County Role with State and Federal Agencies A motion to adopt the resolution was
seconded.
Connie Eissinger
moved to amend the motion by adding language to Section F and correcting the
word “conduct” in the first resolution clause.
The motion was seconded.
“F. Coordinate, in absence of direct
constitutional conflict, with the county to comply with federal and state
statutes and regulations, the State and Federal Constitutions, county
ordinances, policies, plans and growth policies, in particular with respect
to private property and private property rights.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that
Montana Association of Counties will notify all Federal and State agencies
which administer land or conducting programs relating to….
The
motion to adopt as amended passed.
2002-45 Alter Fire District or Fire Service Area
Boundaries upon Municipal Annexation
Bill Kennedy,
Yellowstone County, moved for a “do pass” recommendation. The motion was seconded.
Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County
This problem occurs when the
city annexes. Fire districts which
cover the area have to be included in the process. If not, the area has no coverage.
Jean Curtiss, Missoula County
For past 1½ years, cities, counties
and fire departments have had intense discussion on this issue. Cities, by law, cannot contract with
volunteer fire departments. You may
have a problem until that law is changed and fire departments may not want that
changed. But it needs to be changed
first.
Ted Coffman, Madison County
We have same situation in
our county. We are all meeting right
now in consolidated rural fire district with two stations. To arbitrarily move one part to the city
would be difficult.
Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County
If a city annexes, they must
be able to offer services. We have to
change boundaries at county level or we have folks who pay for two fire
districts. People already have a petition
method to change boundaries.
The motion failed on a
hand vote—22 supporting; 23 opposing.
Board Resolution 2002-1 Local Government Information Technology Coordinator
Jean Curtiss, Missoula
County
This is important for many
of the counties. Larger counties
already have IT departments and won’t need technical assistance. MACITA supports this because it offers the
avenue to attend meetings and communicate with State.
Jennifer
Smith Mitchell, Gallatin County
We
wrote a letter to MACo opposing this position.
“We do not have a need, cannot see a benefit or
understand the reason why Gallatin County should be charged for supporting a
position of this nature.
Currently Gallatin County has spent approximately
$417,000 on a new system with new hardware and training and we have our own ITS
department that services all of our technology needs. The hiring of an IT position under MACo would not benefit
us. Furthermore, Gallatin County is the
Beta Site for new tax software that will be used by 30 counties around the
State. We are always happy to share
information and provide assistance as requested “at cost” to any inquiring
counties.
An increase in dues, especially at the proposed 25% amount,
would significantly impact our budget and taxpayer dollars. It is our opinion that other counties of
similar size to ours will experience the same--a significant payout for little
return.”
In spirit of joint cooperation with our fellow MACo counties
to work out alternatives and options to resolve IT needs would be Gallatin
County’s preferred solution.”
Anita
Varone, Lewis and Clark County
Time has come for an IT person in MACo to serve all
members. We are willing to pay the fee
to benefit everyone, particularly those that need the help.
Mary
Sexton, Teton County, Chair of MACo IT Committee
This proposal came over a number of years of
consideration of options, including regionalization. This was a compromise as the most productive way of improving the
level of technology for all counties.
Elaine
Mann, Broadwater County
How much added expense will there be, if we ask that new
staff person to come help us?
Mary
Sexton, Teton County, Chair of MACo IT Committee
In the first two years, there
will be no added expense. After two
years, there may be a fee schedule set up.
Intent is to become an enterprise entity and eliminate the dues
assessment.
Rita
Windom, Lincoln County
Lincoln County is adamantly
opposed. Most of us have already purchased
what we want and we do not want to be forced to accept what we do not want in
order to be compatible. Most of us can
afford our own staff. We are willing to
share with those who can’t afford their own.
Judy
Stang, Mineral County
After two years, who makes
decisions for the position and the technology?
The whole assembly? The IT
Committee?
Mary
Sexton, Teton County
The Intent is that there
will be an evaluation process to identify if there will be additional
assessments, how well the position is working, etc. This is to come to the membership.
Dale
Williams, Flathead County
We are not in support of the
position or the dues structure. Our
department head, who is in MACITA, is adamantly opposed. Coalitions of counties are not topics of essential
concern to all counties. We are willing
to help other counties. To share costs
and promotion could be done by
coalitions, rather than by all counties. IT has considerable investments, but we are willing to share what
we have. Pooled rates are already
available through Dell Computers and NACo.
IT will need much more funding on our part to get a county started if it
is not already.
Alan
Thompson, Ravalli County
Ravalli
County agrees with those reasons Dale mentioned.
Is
there a signed document in place with the State?
IT Committee Chair Sexton
introduced Tony Herbert from Montana Department of Administration, Information
Technology Services Division (ITSD), and deferred to him.
Tony
Herbert, Deputy Chief Information Officer, ITSD
We are very much in favor of
doing this. We want to work with
counties. You have our commitment. We have passed documents back and forth but
have nothing to sign yet, because nothing has been decided.
Jennifer
Smith Mitchell, Gallatin County
Not described in our letter
was our work with DOR on the tax system.
We have actually paid for computers and training for DOR people so that
we can communicate. What works in one
courthouse doesn’t necessarily work in others. These things cannot be lumped.
Janet
Parkins, Clerk and Recorder, Stillwater County
I have served on MACITA,
representing clerks and recorders. I
have noticed that the state agencies were brought together by MACITA. Now we want to work with the counties. We can enhance our knowledge and ideas
working with the State. They will be on
board but won’t interfere.
Peggy
Beltrone, Cascade County
We definitely need to
provide for those counties which have not been able to address these
issues. I would like to see more of the
attitude that we help each other, not that the State sets up everything. Let’s do something for ourselves. Let’s have counties help counties.
Mary
Sexton, Teton County
2004 budget can reflect
this. One of the original purposes was
coordination and cooperation among counties and the State.
Earl
Martin, Granite County
This is for Department of
Administration. With problems in
legislature, are you sure your funding support will continue?
Tony
Herbert, ISTD
Our program is a service
program inside state government; we are not part of budget. We are in good shape to do this with you.
William
Duffield, Fallon County
I am opposed to this. As board of director member, I don’t want
this to be presented as being supported by Board. It is our resolution because of dues increase. This is not supported or pushed by
Board. Also, the State may be getting
ready to scrap all their programs.
Tony
Herbert, ISTD
The State has 31 counties in
the State network. Other counties and
cities are going on to the system. DOA
has program which is being reworked and needs coordination with counties. We can still offer service.
Vern
Petersen, Fergus County
We have been through two
re-computerizings. We have been totally
at mercy of vendors. So I’m in favor of
having a staff person to help. However,
are we funding this fairly? The bigger
counties will be funding more of the cost and they will be receiving less of
the service. Perhaps we should
reconsider the fairness of the funding.
I support with that consideration.
Anita
Varone, Lewis and Clark County
A majority of the counties
in the district support this.
The State software was
difficult to implement but received awards on the way it was implemented.
Mike McGinley, Beaverhead
County
We
have had plenty of discussion already.
I call for question
John
Prinkki, Parliamentarian
We cannot limit debate by a
call of question unless there is a 2/3 majority vote to suspend this rule.
Janet
Kelly, Custer County
We spent lots of money on
our computer system. This is an
opportunity for all of us to expand the Association to serve all of us. This is a pilot and an attempt to establish
an enterprise fund to see if it can work in Montana. Many other states already have self-sustaining enterprise
funds. We can see if it works for us
and we can come back later to judge. We have to give this a chance.
Bill
Kennedy, Yellowstone County
We support the proposal, but
we question if we need this and how much is it going to cost. We have a department already. But this will help everyone so we support
it.
On a hand count,
the motion had 26 in favor and 25 opposed.
Roll call vote was requested and the tally was 26 in favor and 26
opposed. The motion failed on the tie
vote.
The following “Medium
Priority” resolutions were segregated for debate:
2002-41 2002-43
Motion to pass all
medium priorities resolutions other than those which were segregated was
seconded and passed.
MEDIUM PRIORITY RESOLUTIONS
2002-5 County Weather Station Project
2002-27 Municipal Annexation to Include Streets and Roads
2002-31 County Appointment to City Planning Board
2002-32 Annexation of Land Contiguous to Zoning Districts
2002-41 Increased Funding for New Cooperative
Extension Service Positions
Kathy Bessette,
Hill County, moved to adopt the resolution as medium priority; the motion was
seconded.
Kathy
Bessette, Hill County
The MACo Agriculture
Committee debated this resolution. Several
counties have requested positions and put in writing that they were willing to
pay their fair share. Since there are
already several positions kept empty for vacancy savings, we were afraid that
these unfilled positions would be neglected, so we included the funding for
those positions which are currently waiting for an agent.
Bessette
moved to amend in three places:
1) correcting the intent by changing
“It is the intent of the Montana
Association of Counties to support legislation to fund additional essential
cooperative extension service positions.”
2) by adding
“WHEREAS, the
current hiring freeze has left several counties without County Extension
Agents; and”
3) by inserting
“NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IN RESOLVED that the Montana Association of Counties supports restored
funding for the current vacant positions and increased funding by the 2003
legislature for the eight and ½ additional FTE positions.
The motion was seconded.
Jamie Doggett, Meagher
County
I am speaking for Wheatland
County as well as Meagher. Wheatland
County has ballot measure in November to fund their share of the position. We have considered sharing with neighboring
counties.
Joan
Stahl, Rosebud County
Which counties have never
had agents? Who currently has agents and
wants to add positions?
Mike
Murray, Lewis and Clark County
Flathead, Lake, Mineral,
Missoula, and Deer Lodge Counties have agents
and want to add
positions. Meagher and Wheatland do not
have agents.
Paddy
Trusler, Lake County
Lake
county feels that we should fill empty positions first.
Paul
Chirico, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
We
have and agent and we want to fill our vacancy.
Motion to amend
passed.
Motion as amended
passed.
2002-43 Counties with less than 15,000 Population Be
Allowed to Create an Office of County Auditor
Carol
Kienenberger, Phillips County, moved to adopt the resolution as medium
priority; the motion was seconded.
Jennifer
Smith Mitchell, Gallatin County
Counties are getting rid of
their auditor positions and contracting with cpa’s. We are facing this. When
you could hire a qualified professional, why would counties want another
elected official who may not be qualified?
Mike
Murray, Lewis and Clark County
This
would allow the option to have an elected or an appointed position.
Carol
Kienenberger, Phillips County
This does give the
option. Clerk and recorders could be
helped, if we could appoint. Population
restrictions in current law prevents us from doing that.
There were no “low priority” resolutions.
The motion to
table the recommended resolutions was seconded and passed.
TABLED RESOLUTIONS
2002-6 Continue Entitlement Growth Rate of at Least 3%
2002-7 Health and Human Services Funding
2002-13 Permit Burning in Landfills and Transfer Sites
2002-29 City Funding and Maintenance of Bridges
2002-36 Reimbursement for Search and Rescue Operations
2002-44 Evacuation Refusal Authority (Referred by the Board to
Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association)
REAFFIRMED
RESOLUTIONS--HIGH PRIORITY
The
motion to reaffirm the resolutions with high priorities, seconded, and was passed.
HIGH PRIORITY--REAFFIRMED
RESOLUTIONS
2000-10 Prevailing Wage Rate Requirements for
Local Governments
2000-11 Bidding Requirements for Local
Governments
2000-13 Complying with County Personnel
Policies and Procedures
2000-29 Funding for Regional Mental Health
Centers
2000-32 Limitation on Road and Bridge
Depreciation Reserve Funds
1999-7 County Treasurer Duties and
Responsibilities
1998-18 Safeguarding County Interest Income
REAFFIRMED
RESOLUTIONS--MEDIUM PRIORITY
The motion to
reaffirm the medium priority resolution was seconded and passed.
MEDIUM PRIORITY--REAFFIRMED
RESOLUTIONS
1999-8 Revisions to County Capital
Improvement Program Laws
REAFFIRMED
RESOLUTIONS--LOW PRIORITY
The following “Low Priority”
resolution was segregated for debate:
2000-25
Motion to pass the
low priority resolution was seconded and passed.
LOW PRIORITY RESOLUTION
2000-16 Repeal Appointment of Counsel in
Paternity Cases
2002-25
Detention Costs for Department of Corrections Inmates
Roddy
Rost, Fallon County
This resolution is in a low
priority. I think it affects all
counties and should be high priority, even though it has no chance in the
legislature.
Rost moved to
amend the priority to “high”. The motion
to amend was seconded and passed.
Peggy Beltrone, Cascade County
Why is it taking so long to
set sentences, to do pre-sentence reports, to do testing, etc.?
Is it because of not enough resources?
This won’t solve those problems.
Paul
Chirico, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
I just retired from working
at the prison. One of the reason that
this process is held up is because our reception unit could not take more than
92 people and we have had 112, with some sleeping on floor. So, we started busing them back to counties.
Marilyn
Hollister, Clerk of District Court, Rosebud County
Pre-sentences are not done
efficiently because parole officers are over worked, particularly with new
caseloads coming from the recent releases.
REAFFIRMED
RESOLUTIONS--TABLED
Jean Curtiss,
Missoula County, moved to assign Resolution 2000-03 Funding for Local Boards of
Health Inspections back to the Committee.
The motion was seconded.
Jean Curtiss, Missoula County
The reason the Resolution
was tabled was to allow local boards to take the lead. Representatives are coming to speak to the
Committee tomorrow. We want to be able
to support them.
The
motion carried.
Chair Murray announced that Resolution 2000-03 would
be sent back to the Health and Human Services Committee, but will still be
considered as a tabled resolution.
Jean Curtiss,
Missoula County, moved to table the resolutions. The motion was seconded.
William
Duffield, Fallon County
What
does this mean? How long will the
resolutions be left on the table?
Dean
Harmon, President
Essentially
this means the resolutions are dead.
Harold
Blattie, Assistant Director
Those resolutions came
forward because they still had priority rankings from prior annual conferences
and needed to be dealt with. The
recommendation is to table.
The
motion to table the resolutions carried.
REAFFIRMED RESOLUTIONS--TABLED
2000-3 Funding for Local Board of Health
Inspections
2000-17 Repeal County Classification
2000-18 Funding for Growth Policies
1999-10 Clarifying Open Meeting Requirements
1998-17 Clarification of Deputy Sheriff
Salaries
1998-26 Ownership of Records
1992-16 Local Option Vehicle Tax
Article
III, Section 4 Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Committee
c) The
Executive Committee shall serve as an Evaluation Committee for purposes of
annually evaluating the performance of the Executive Director by
surveying the member Boards of County Commissioners. Such evaluation shall be reported to the
Board of Directors.
The motion by
Carol Kienenberger, Phillips County, to adopt the amendment was seconded and
carried.
Article
V, Section 1 Duties and Responsibilities
of the Executive Director
(add) The
hiring of an Assistant Director by the Executive Director requires the
concurrence of the Executive Committee and confirmation by the Board of
Directors.
The motion by Jean
Curtiss, Missoula County, to adopt the amendment was seconded and carried.
Article
VI , Section 3 Duties and
Responsibilities of Board of Directors
j) function as the nominating committee and select at least two candidates for the offices of Second Vice President and Fiscal Officer. No candidate can be nominated and run for two offices simultaneously. Nominations may be made at district meetings of county commissioners and submitted to the Board.
The motion by
William Duffield, Fallon County, to adopt the amendment was seconded and
carried.
Article
IX, Section 4 Nominations
c) All nominations will be remain open until the
time of the election during the closing closed at the conclusion of
the opening general session.
The motion by John Kerr, Carter
County, to adopt the amendment was seconded and carried.
Article
III, Section 1 Officers
The officers are the
President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Class 1A County
Representative, Fiscal Officer and the Past President, all of whom must be
qualified and acting commissioners of member counties. The officers shall serve as the Executive
Committee. These officers,
excluding the Class 1A County Representative, will be elected at the
annual conference by the membership. No
two of these officers shall be from the same county. They shall hold office until their
successors are elected and qualified, so long as they shall remain in county
office as county commissioners.
Chair Fjelstad explained that the policy for no two officers
being from same county would be effective in 2003, not on adjournment of
conference. The proposed amendment
doesn’t prevent two people from an urban county because the urban county
representative is not elected by entire membership.
Todd
Devlin, Prairie County
I proposed this to Board of
Directors, however the intent caused confusion, perhaps to the detriment of
some commissioners who might want to run.
The other amendment we just passed will allow for my concerns to be
addressed, so we can defeat this proposed amendment.
Jennifer
Smith Mitchell, Gallatin County
No county could have two
commissioners serving on the Executive Board and have them gone all the time on
MACo business.
Victor
Miller, Blaine County
I rise to ask you to please
kill this amendment. Everyone in the
room is elected and is a member of MACo.
People put “X” next to candidates’ names knowing the personalities and
issues. I have problem in restriction
of my right to make that vote, the restriction of my responsibility to check on
candidates and make my choice for myself.
Todd
Devlin, Prairie County
Districts 1,2 and 3
discussed that rural counties in eastern Montana may not have had same concerns
as western counties, particularly in growth.
So if we could understand and learn from them, we could help them
out. On the Executive Board, the rural
county people have had the time to serve; the growth and urban counties don’t
seem to have as much time to
serve.
Mike
Murray, Lewis and Clark County
Western counties and urban
counties have run individuals and have other officers on Board. We are not sniveling. I rest on the assurance that the growth
counties problems will be addressed.
The motion to “do not pass” the amendment carried.
President Harmon introduced Sharon Peterson from Max
Baucus’s office and former county commissioner Barbara Skelton.
There are no further
nominations because of current Bylaws.
Nominations were closed on Monday.
The candidates are John Prinkki, Carbon County, and Bill Kennedy,
Yellowstone County. President Harmon
invited the candidates to speak.
Why do I want this job?
The first reason is that if I’m elected, then there is good reason that
MACo will have to find a parliamentarian.
It is hard to tell you that I am more qualified; I’ve
been commissioner 14 years but it may not make me more qualified.
Given the opportunity, I am used to working 80 hours a
week and I will make time to do the work.
I want you to stay as parliamentarian, John.
Two years ago I was asked if I would run for Second Vice President. As you know, I serve on many committees. I
turned them down last year because I felt I would be a better asset during a
legislative session. So, I supported
Carol last year and considered running this year so we would be able to come as
a united team into the next session.
I spent a lot of time around the legislature and battled
for a lot of bills. This last special
session was not easy. When you look for
a committee meeting and it had been held the week before the session started,
it was hard. Hopefully we held our
heads up during the session. The next
session will be more difficult. There
isn’t money but there is one pot they will look at—the entitlement money and
our growth share. Those dollars seem to
be sitting there waiting for the legislature.
We will stand together and tell them, “no.”
I want to go forward and speak for you and lead counties
with a new vision into the future.
I have received support form large and small
counties. I‘ve served on NACo and MACo
committees; I’m currently on a BLM Resource Advisory Committee.
I have enjoyed my time with you and I have the ability to
work with each and every one of you. I am asking for your support and vote
today.
Ballots were disbursed, collected and counted.
President Harmon announced that Bill Kennedy,
Yellowstone County, is the new Second Vice President with a vote of 27 for Bill
and 26 for John Prinkki.
Gary Fjelstad, Rosebud
County
The vote was questioned, since the roll call announced 52
counties present, but there were 53 ballots cast. One county left early and left a ballot, so they did not answer
roll but the ballot was counted.
Jean Curtiss, Missoula
County
Missoula
County is excited to have opportunity to be the host.
Peggy Beltrone, Cascade
County
Cascade County extends an invitation to come to Great Falls.
On a hand vote, Missoula County received 26 votes
and Cascade County received 20. Missoula
County is the site for the 2004 Conference.
Gary Fjelstad, Rosebud County, recognized the sponsor for Tuesday evening’s entertainment as Brentwood Services Administrators of Brentwood, Tennessee.
Fjelstad moved to
send letters to Brentwood as sponsor, to Big Sky as location and to Damschen and
Associates for the DJ. The motion was
seconded and passed.
RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION
WHEREAS, the 2002 Annual
Conference of the Montana Association of Counties is the 93rd such
meeting; and
WHEREAS, attendance of member
counties marks its success; and
WHEREAS, the fine facilities at
Huntley Lodge in Big Sky made us feel welcome;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
that the 93rd Annual Conference of the Montana Association of
Counties express its sincere appreciation for the sponsorship of this convention
to the Madison County Commissioners and the Gallatin County Commissioners,
spouses and staffs:
MADISON COUNTY: Ted Coffman
David
and Nancy Schultz
Frank
and Darlene Nelson
GALLATIN COUNTY: Jennifer Smith and Bill Mitchell
Bill
and Maggie Murdock
John
and Peggy Vincent
Sam Samson, Jefferson County, read
his “Ode to the End of Commissionerville” as a farewell gesture. The piece is Attachment Five at the end of
the minutes.
Carol Kienenberger, Phillips County, asked that commissioners for whom this Conference was to be their last to stand. Janet Kelly, Custer County, presented a resolution to recognize their service.
A motion by Todd Devlin,
Prairie County, to adopt the resolution was seconded and passed.
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING
DEPARTING MEMBERS
WHEREAS,
the members of the Montana Association of Counties, with appreciation and
gratitude, wish to recognize and honor those members who will be leaving their
elective office at the end of this year; and,
WHEREAS,
each of these elected officials has rendered public service to the residents of
his or her respective county, the state, and to this Association for many
years;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of Montana
Association of Counties, at its Annual Conference in Big Sky Montana, this 25th
day of September 2002, recognize and pay tribute to those retiring
commissioners and other elected officials; and express gratitude to our friends
for their achievements and contributions to this Association and to their
counties.
The list of commissioners was presented at the luncheon and is inserted here.
Gayle
Morris, Cascade County Dan
Connors, Custer County
Joe
Spika, Fergus County Allan
Lowry, Glacier County
Edgar
Lewis, Golden Valley County Scotty
Morrison, Granite County
Sam
Samson, Jefferson County Henry
Vaskey, Judith Basin County
Karolin
Loendorf, Lewis and Clark County Loyd
Boyer, Liberty County
Kelly
Gebhardt, Musselshell County Dan
Gutebier, Park County
Kay
Beck, Powell County Jack
Atthowe, Ravalli County
Dean
Harmon, Roosevelt County Larry
Gee, Stillwater County
Charlotte
Mackley, Treasure County Marlene
Erickson, Valley County
Sam
Scammon, Wibaux County Ziggy
Ziegler, Yellowstone County
JOINT OPENING SESSION
WORKERS’
COMPENSATION INSURANCE POOL (JPA)
AND
PROPERTY AND
CASUALTY INSURANCE POOL (JPIA)
Monday, September
23, 2002
JPA Chair Dean Harmon, Roosevelt County, opened the meeting
with introductions:
Bob Bennett, CEO, alternative services
concepts (asc)
Larry Zanto, Regional Manager of asc
Keith Stapley, Claims Manager of asc
Secretary Gordon Morris conducted the roll call and
announced a quorum present.
John Prinkki, Acting Chair of JPIA, opened the floor
for nomination of trustees and asked
Gordon
Morris to present the status and process for the elections.
Morris noted that JPA Trustees consist of the MACo
Executive Committees, if each member is from a member county. Both candidates for Second Vice President
are from counties which are members, so there won’t need to be a separate
election.
In JPIA,
four members of the Trustees are elected at-large and two are members of
the MACo Executive Committee. The
Executive Committee members will be President Victor Miller
First
Vice President Carol Brooker. Brooker
currently is an at-large member of the Trustees, so that position, which began
in 2001, will be open. In addition, the
at-large seat held by Vern Petersen began in 1999 is up for re-election. So there are two openings--the three year
term of Vern Petersen’s and Carol Brooker’s one remaining year of the term.
Carl Seilstad, Fergus County,
nominated Vern Petersen for another three-year term.
For the remaining year of Carol Brooker’s at-large
position,
Art Kleinjan, Blaine County,
nominated Mary Sexton, Teton County;
Mike Murray, Lewis and Clark
County, nominated Ted Coffman, Madison County;
William Duffield, Fallon
County, nominated Don McDowell, Powder River County.
The motion to close nominations was seconded and
passed.
JPA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ANNUAL REPORT
Gordon
Morris, on behalf of Ray Barnicoat, Risk Manager
Gordon Morris announced that Ray Barnicoat was currently
attending an AGRIP in Phoenix.
Excess insurance rates are going up but we are
better off than other programs in Montana and than any other states’
programs. In the history of our
program, our rates are still below the 1994 rates when we started. We have held the line in frequency and
severity in accidents. We have the
staff to thank for their contributions in risk management--Jack in personnel,
Emelia in nursing homes and Ray in fire and fire carriers.
We have had a seamless transition from Willis to
asc. Bob Bennett had predicted
this. General Counsel Norm Grosfield
does a good job of monitoring claims against program.
(A full text of Ray Barnicoat’s report is Attachment
Six at the end of these minutes.)
JPIA PROPERTY AND CASUALTY ANNUAL REPORT
Greg Jackson reported that annual renewals were at
100% of all counties and 100% of special districts. We added Flathead County and welcomed back Ravalli County. Ravalli County worked over the past two
years to lower claims costs.
We added professional liability coverage for social
workers and nutritionists, which is
important to larger counties
A few years ago our phrase was “stay the
course.” In 1998 and 99, we were at 38
counties; we are now at 44 counties--a 44% increase. We had 55 districts; now we have 133 special districts-- a 142%
increase. Cash for claims was $3.6
Million; now it is at $5.7 Million, which is a 58% increase. Net income was 18%; now it is at 30%. Loss ratio was 95 to 105 %; currently we are
at 80%-- a 16 % reduction in losses. We
are “staying the course.”
Trustees will be looking at ways to make the program
better. We will be making a
presentation on a bond option as a way of replacing the liability reinsurance
layer. We are also going to be voting
Wednesday on Bylaw changes to eliminate any reference to affiliate members and
reference them as eligible insureds.
They are not really members, but they are eligible for insurance.
Things are looking great financially. Membership is growing. We hope this will continue.
Carol Kienenberger, Phillips County
Is loss ratio between counties and special districts
done separately?
Yes, it is. Special districts have about a 30% loss
ratio, which is within guidelines.
Right now the special districts are not affecting program, but we are
wise to be aware of it.
Chair Prinkki stated that the JPIA Bylaws are fairly
fundamental and the amendment will not change the way the program will
operate. He asked for questions
regarding the bond proposal.
Secretary Morris reviewed Resolution 2002-15 To
Exclude Levies Pledged for the Repayment of Bonded Indebtedness. Attached to it is the proposal to amend the
law.
Under
tax liabilities in Chapter 15-10-412 (MCA), the language was clear but it was
eliminated in 420. We want to put the
language back. You will not commit anything but rather allow us to use tax
authority for service on a debt. I hope
you will support this on Wednesday.
Prinkki called for questions on proposed bylaw
changes. There were none.
Following
a triple call for other business, the motion to adjourn was seconded and
passed.
17th ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
MACo JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION TRUST
Big
Sky, Montana
JPA Secretary Gordon Morris called the roll, announcing that the roll would also indicate attendance for JPIA. A quorum was present.
Secretary Morris announced the MACo Executive
Committee:
President
Victor Miller, Blaine County
Vice
President Carol Brooker, Sanders County
Vice
President Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone County
Urban
County Representative Howard Gipe, Flathead County
Past
President Dean Harmon, Roosevelt County
Fiscal
Officer Dan Watson, Rosebud County.
Since all Executive Committee members are also
members of the JPA pool, a motion to approve them as the JPA Board of
Trustees was seconded and passed.
The meeting was adjourned.
16th ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
MACo JOINT POWERS INSURANCE
AUTHORITY
PROPERTY AND CASUALTY TRUST
Big
Sky, Montana
Chair Vern Petersen, Fergus County, presided.
BYLAW AMENDMENT
The amendment, which will correct several sections
of wording throughout the Bylaws, is an effort to move special districts/affiliate
members because they are not voting members.
The
motion to approve the amendments to the Bylaws was seconded and passed.
BOND OPTION
This proposal has been progressing. There will be a meeting in Miles City in
December to consider the structure.
This is patterned after the MACo Workers’ Compensation program, to cut
down on reinsurance costs.
Don
McDowell, Powder River County
If
we do this and there is a loss against the bond, who is responsible?
Chair Petersen responded that the member counties
would be responsible. The obligation
would be in portions to the member counties.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Secretary Morris became Acting Chair and explained
that there are two vacancies--the seat held by Vern Petersen, which is ending
the three-year of the term, and the at-large seat held by Carol Brooker who is
moving to an officer position.
Vern Petersen was nominated for another three-year
term. Joe Spika, Fergus
County, moved that a unanimous ballot be cast for his re-election. The motion was seconded and passed.
For the at-large position vacated by Carol Brooker
who is moving to officer position, there are three nominations. The nominees were asked to speak.
Don
McDowell, Powder River County
Most of you know me.
I would appreciate the chance to represent you. I have been on the Board one year
already. It seems as if I am getting my
three-year term one year at a time. I
have 12 years experience as an agent.
Mary Sexton, Teton County
My interest in the board is
from two settlement conferences. One was
for ADA compliance. I came to
appreciate the work of the pool and risk management. I’ve been commissioner for four years, an English teacher and I
dealt with insurance issues in business, forestry and non- profits.
Chair
Petersen announced that the Bylaws call for a simple majority and that Ted
Madison had most votes by one. (This
meant that Ted Coffman, Madison County, was elected.)
The
Board of Trustees was announced as
John Prinkki, Carbon County,
at-large member through 2003
Ted Coffman, Madison County,
at-large member through 2003
Mike Murray, Lewis and Clark County,
at-large member through 2004
Vern Petersen, Fergus County,
at-large member through 2005
Victor Miller, Blaine County, MACo
President
Carol Brooker, Sanders County, MACo
Vice President
Gordon Morris, MACo Executive
Director and Board Secretary
The
motion to adjourn was seconded and passed.
ATTACHMENTS