District 1, 2, and 3 Meeting
Wednesday, May 11th, 2005
Rosebud County
Forsyth, Montana
District 3 Chairman Joan Stahl called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m., at the Forsyth Country Club in Forsyth.
Roll call was taken, a quorum was present, and all counties were represented except Wibaux. See attached sign in sheet.
Guests present were Pam Crisafulli, from Senator Burns’s office, Dustin Frost, from Congressman Rehberg’s office.
MACo Executive Director Gordon Morris and Assistant Director Harold Blattie presented a legislative summary. Everyone should pay close attention to the effective dates on all the bills. HB 218 allows for the creation of a Mosquito Control District, effective May 2, 2005. SB 146, establishes a statewide public defender system to deliver assigned counsel services in state, county, municipal and city courts. The bill will be implemented on May 2, but the State will take responsibility on July 1.
Assistant Director Harold Blattie pointed out there were a number of land use bills and if you have any questions on any of them Myra Schultz, in Missoula, could be of some help. SB116 an act revising review of proposed subdivisions, Myra Schultz working on a full set of regulations and should have them out in September. SB 290 requires certain water and sanitation information to be submitted with a preliminary plat for local subdivision review. SB 255 an act creating the airport compatibility act (FAA Money) contact MACo to make sure you get it done right.
HB 60 establishes a decontamination standard for the cleanup of properties contaminated by Methamphetamine labs by a certified contractor to certify the property is now habitable again.
MACo President Bill Kennedy reported on SB 516 that allows taxpayers who own industrial property a direct appeal to the state tax appeal board; requiring the Department of Revenue to resolve property tax appeals within 1 year after and HB 395 on precommitment detention costs; whoever provider is for client bills clients first; counties are payer of last resort; allows pay for evaluations at Medicaid rates; provides that a private insurer or public assistance program is responsible before county. Counties are required to report annually County Attorney salaries to the state; need to get figures in on time and send a copy to MACo.
MACo Executive Director Gordon Morris announced that he will be stepping down as Executive Director soon and working on taking JPIA and JPA claims in house until his full retirement in June 2006; Gordon was hired in 1983; mentioned there are only three commissioners there as long or longer than he was, Bill Tandy has served 6 terms, Barbara Evans 6 terms and Art Kleinjan. At the June 8th meeting of MACo Board of Directors will be working on job description for Executive Director, Associate Director; as of July 1 Harold Blattie will be Acting Director; JPA & JPIA will be discussing bringing claims in house at the meeting in the afternoon; 2nd Vice President position is open; Jean Curtiss has been nominated for 2nd Vice President; no nominations for Fiscal Officer; Proposal for claims in house will be put on the MACo Web site.
Commissioner Gary Fjelstad encourages everyone to let him know what their thoughts are on a building and bringing the claims in house. Gary’s position on the J.P.I.A. is up at the Annual Convention; Gary indicated that he would be interested in keeping the position on the board for another term.
County representation is needed on the Statewide Inoperability, IT Committee and Montana Land Information Council.
Tom Hayes, Director of Development with the Montana Job Training Partnership, reported on HB589; explained the 3 One Stop Centers; very interested in promoting business in tele-work or E-Commerce; recognized Deveny Fjelstad for representing the private sector; facing a 10% cut in youth cuts and 8% cut in dislocated worker program.
Chairman Stahl welcomed Clerk and Recorders, Marie Ware, Custer County, Penny Lewis, Richland County, Geri Custer, Rosebud County, Rosebud County Treasurer Pam Shelton, Clerk of Court Marilyn Holister, Public Works Director Russ Setori.
Connie Eissinger will be installed as the President of WIR Convention in Tacoma. WIR Conference starts May 24. Connie reminded everyone of a Public Lands meeting that will be held on June 14th at 1:00 p.m. in Lewistown.
Break for Lunch
Bill Nyby gave the financial report and went over the Preliminary Budget for FY2006. The next MACo Budget meeting will be held May 19th.
Dustin Frost, gave a brief introduction, he has recently been added to the staff of Congressman Rehberg’s Office in Billings.
District No. 1 had a discussion about moving insurance claims in house and the building. Election of officers is as follows: Chairman: Richard Dunbar, Vice Chairman: David Reinhardt; 2nd Vice President: Mark Rehbein, and Bill Nyby as Fiscal Officer.
District No. 2 decided to hold off on election of officers. They plan to have a meeting in August. Connie Eissinger nominated Mark Rehbein for 2nd Vice President.
District No. 3 Election of officers: Retained current Chairman: Joan Stahl and Vice Chairman: Mac Cole; nominated Mark Rehbein for 2nd Vice President, Bill Nyby for Fiscal Officer and Jack Nesbit to represent District 3 on MJTP; talked about in house claims and building.
Dena Sprandel with DNRC discussed the Restriction Area. Dena handed out the 2006 Plan and requests that everyone sign the back page and return it to her office.
Rick Strohmyer, DNRC Agency Lead Coordinator, reported on the Land Banking Status and Historic Right of Ways. Counties will need to get all right of way to county roads documented and recorded. Spence Heather is in the process of doing this for a couple counties.
Jim Schaeffer with Custer Country introduced himself and presented information on Custer Country.
Gordon Morris received word from the Secretary of State of a scam alert regarding this debt elimination program. Persons present bogus document to the Clerk and Recorders office to clear mortgages on property.
Meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.