HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Various Hill County Officials convened in the Timmons Room of the County Courthouse on Wednesday morning for their monthly meeting.
County Commission Chair Diane McLean said they have received a draft of a proposed policy that would provide departments with credit cards they could use for work-related purchases, but said it is still under the review of County Attorney Lacey Lincoln, who was not at the meeting. McLean says that this is “a jump” for the County, and they want to make sure they are comfortable before making any decision.
The Commission said that employees should use County vehicles whenever they are on work trips, provided they are available. This includes employees that work with Extension, although they are not paid entirely by the county.
Commissioner Jake Strissel said they are still working on the issue of putting a ballot initiative together calling for a three percent local tax on recreational and medicinal marijuana sales. Strissel said that public meetings will be scheduled soon, and he’s spoken with numerous dispensary owners. Strissel says the owners have some hesitation about the tax possibly being implemented on medicinal sales, as they are worried about clients being unable to afford the increase.
Strissel also said that Bear Paw Development is working on a Preliminary Architectural Report to determine if the Rudyard Senior Center building is salvageable, or if it will need to be replaced.
Commissioner Mark Peterson said the Cottonwood Bridge’s weight limit is under review following the replacement of deficient stringers. Peterson says that a complete bridge replacement is estimated at around $5 million, and they are applying for a $500,000 study grant. The bridge provides the only crossing of the Milk River in Hill County north of Fresno Dam.
With election season beginning, Hill County Human Resource Officer Brittany Pfeifer provided attendees with a handout detailing how the Hatch Act applies to them, along with information on how to report a complaint. The Hatch Act restricts political activity of employees who work in connection with programs financed at lease in part by federal loans or grants. These employees may not raise money for a partisan political campaign, cannot allow their names to be used in any fundraising appeal on behalf of a partisan campaign, and cannot raise money for their union’s political action committee from persons other than their fellow union members.
Weed and Mosquito District Coordinator Terry Turner said he is continuing to work on educating people on noxious weeds, emphasizing that this does not constitute lobbying. Turner says he was offended when McLean recently characterized it as lobbying. McLean says she does not recall this interaction and apologized if she spoke out of turn. Turner said he accepted the apology.
Turner added that he recently took part in a grant hearing for a $10,000 noxious weed trust fund grant for Sage Creek. The landowners are providing a $10,000 match and Turner says the grant approval is almost finalized. He says this is the second year they are receiving this specific grant, and that it is usually awarded for three years. He says the area used to contain a 4,500 acre patch of noxious weeds, but that it is now down to under 1,000.
Road Department Supervisor Jim Bedwell says they are taking the snow wings off their fleet and are graveling south of Kremlin. They will then gravel south of Hingham.
Health Department Director Kim Berg says they continue seeing clients but have numerous job openings. They are also working on a Request for Proposal for Family Planning.
Extension Agent Colleen Pegar said they are receiving an NRA Foundation grant to replace some of their shooting sports equipment.
Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Amanda Frickel was not in attendance, but provided a written report saying the drought is at “detrimental levels,” and she is working on trainings and preparing grant applications for local firefighters.
