By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – The Hill County Commission held their weekly business meeting on Thursday morning and unanimously voted to table a Social Host Ordinance on second reading.
In their decision to table the Ordinance, the Commission cited feedback from landowners in the rural area of the county who were worried about facing consequences for underage drinking parties on their vast plots of land that they are unable to patrol 24/7.
The Commission says there is some language in the Ordinance that they want to clear up to ensure that only those who knowingly allow gatherings of underage drinking can be charged.
A Social Host Ordinance makes it a criminal offense for adults to provide alcohol or a location for a social gathering featuring underage drinking. Consequences can include fines and a misdemeanor.
A Social Host Ordinance has been in place in Havre for over a decade. This Ordinance would extend to areas in Hill County outside of city limits.
Susan Brurud of Bear Paw Development was joined by others at the meeting who said they have worked for years on getting a Social Host Ordinance approved for Hill County. They expressed disappointment at the decision to table, but were confident that they will be able to work with the Commission to clear up any language in it that is of concern to rural landowners.
If the Ordinance is amended, it will have to go through another first reading.
Ambulance Service Agreement
Also at the meeting, the Commission unanimously approved an agreement with the city of Havre to continue ambulance services.
This agreement allows the Havre Fire Department to operate outside of Havre city limits to serve eastern Hill County.
The contract is annually renewable and will be reviewed every five years.
Funding will be provided primarly by taxes raised by the eight mill levy that was approved in November by Hill County voters outside of Havre city limits.
The current contract that has Havre providing ambulance services to eastern Hill County is set to expire at the end of June.
