Broadwater County Emergency Services Facility
 | Author:
Nancy Marks, Reporter
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Broadwater County Emergency Services Facility
Nancy Marks, Reporter
County Commissioners Moving on Broadwater County Emergency Services Facility
The much-needed County Emergency Services Facility(CEFS) in South Broadwater has come into view again.
At their regular meeting Wednesday Commissioners approved the preliminary architectural report from Great West Engineering of Helena. The facility will be in a lot in the Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) across Highway 287 from Wheatland Drive. The building will house law enforcement, Emergency Services and Search and Rescue along with a community meeting room, according to Commissioner Darrel Folkvord. Great West Engineering of Helena will do a site assessment and get back to the commissioners. “From there the information will go to the architect for building plans,” Folkvord said.
Chairwoman Debi Randolph explained the process of planning the CESF began in November when the commission approved a task order for Great West Engineering to begin work. “We have budgeted for two public meetings to review the plan. The building will be functional, not fancy. But it will be built keeping in mind expansion if needed. We hope the building will serve as a community center, used as a polling place or for public meetings.
In public comment, Deputy County Attorney Jania Hatfield presented a public comment policy update.
Clerk and Recorder Angie Paulsen presented a budget amendment to hire an election supervisor hire for her office. Paulsen explained with the upcoming heavier 2024 election work, she needs more help. Paulsen also has been appointed the County Surveyor. When the offices of Treasurer, Superintendent of Schools and Clerk and Recorder offices were separated, her office lost ½ of a position. Currently, she has one deputy Clerk and Recorder. “Broadwater County currently has 5,400 registered voters. We have registered 1,600 new voters since 2020. The legislature has passed a bill to heighten cyber security. The bill, HB530, was passed in the 2021 legislative session. Those additional security tasks slow down the entire process,” she explained.
Paulsen pointed out that wages for the new position, if approved, would be covered in her current budget at between $18 and $21 an hour. It would be a full-time position. The commissioners asked Paulsen to present a job description and her amended budget for their April 19 meeting. No action was taken.
Broadwater County Airport Board presented a buy-sell agreement to purchase two lots north and adjacent to the airport. If approved, the board would purchase the airport zone protection ground from Steve McCullough for $226,666.67, which includes closing and engineering fees. An environmental assessment still must be completed before the final closing. According to Airport Board liaison Folkvord, the Federal Aeronautics Administration (FAA) will pay 90% of the total costs. The county and the City of Townsend will pick up the match at $26,666.67 equally. “We are seeing a tremendous increase in the use of the airport including a call for more hangars and regular use by private planes and emergency services,” he said. Commissioners passed a motion to accept the buy/sell agreement.
Commissioners reviewed the bylaws draft of the newly formed Broadband Advisory Board. After edits, commissioners approved the bylaws. Officers of the new board are President Vic Sample, Vice President Roger Flynn and Secretary Warren Smeltzer.
