Broadwater commissioners approve prosecution appointment, public health grants and airport power work.
Author: Rachael Brug, MT43 News Staff Reporter
Broadwater Commissioners Approve Prosecution Appointment, Public Health Grants and Airport Power Work.
Rachael Brug
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Broadwater County commissioners opened their Feb. 25 meeting with a quiet public comment period — no one spoke in person or online — but moved through a packed agenda that ranged from a major federal transportation grant application to wildfire preparedness and public health services.
Winston Northwest BUILD grant submitted
Commissioners announced that the county’s federal BUILD grant application for the Winston Northwest project was submitted Monday morning. The application was prepared in partnership with Great West Engineering and the Montana Department of Transportation.
Commissioners said the grant is highly competitive and they expect to hear back in roughly three to four months. They also noted the county received strong letters of support from U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale’s office, the local school district, Greymont and other partners.
Commissioner Rick Meyer was reported to be in Washington, D.C., attending National Association of Counties meetings and expected to return depending on flight schedules.
Special deputy county attorney appointed for felony case
County Attorney Kevin Bratcher presented a resolution to appoint an Assistant Attorney General as a special deputy county attorney to assist with filing and prosecution in State v. Andrew Anderson.
Bratcher emphasized that when the Montana Attorney General’s Office provides help through its Prosecution Services Bureau, there is no additional cost to the county for attorney fees. He said the Attorney General’s Office covers its own personnel costs under statutory authority, while the county remains responsible for standard prosecution expenses such as witness fees, transcript costs and jury expenses.
Commissioners said the clarification was helpful for public understanding. With no public comment, the board approved the resolution unanimously.
Treasurer reports progress on balancing
County Treasurer Melissa Franks reported that January’s books have been successfully balanced and that February balancing is underway, with completion expected in early March.
Franks said December remains about $24,000 out of balance and November is about $83 out of balance, with both still under review. There were no public questions.
Public health seeks funding for homemaker, respite and nursing programs
Diane Thorne, representing the Broadwater County Public Health Department, presented three grant applications to the Rocky Mountain Development Council for programs running July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
The first was the Homemaker Program, seeking $29,000 in state funds to cover wages, supplies, vehicle maintenance and fuel. Thorne said the program provides one to two hours per week of assistance per client, including housekeeping, shopping, transportation and meal preparation, serving elderly and low-income residents who live alone or have chronic illness.
The second was the Respite Care Program, seeking $1,333 in federal funds with a $333 county match. Thorne said the program provides one to two hours per week of caregiver relief so family caregivers can attend appointments and run errands.
The third was the Skilled Nursing Program, seeking $9,000 in state funds to cover medical assistance wages and limited nursing support, requiring a physician referral. Thorne said services can include medication management, blood pressure checks and minor wound care.
Thorne told commissioners there are currently openings in the homemaker program and encouraged referrals. Commissioners suggested using the local newspaper to raise awareness, noting the paper regularly publishes county informational articles at no cost.
The board approved all three grant applications unanimously and thanked the department for serving vulnerable residents.
Wildfire mitigation resources highlighted
Ed Shindoll, chief of the Broadwater Rural Fire District and vice president of the Tri-County Fire Safe Working Group, and Lois Olsen presented wildfire mitigation programs available to Broadwater County residents.
The Tri-County Fire Safe Working Group, established in 2015, serves Broadwater, Lewis and Clark, and Jefferson counties. The presenters outlined services including free home ignition zone assessments funded by grants, fuel mitigation prescriptions for private property and cost-share mitigation projects when grants are available, typically structured as 75% grant-funded and 25% homeowner match.
They also described assistance in identifying evacuation routes for potential future grant funding and said the group provides wildfire education presentations.
Olsen highlighted the Firewise Demonstration Garden at the Montana City Volunteer Fire Department, which she said includes more than 150 drought-resistant and deer-resistant plants. The garden includes a searchable plant database and labeling system intended to help homeowners choose firewise landscaping options suited to Montana’s dry climate.
Commissioners asked about the outlook for the upcoming fire season. Shindoll said conditions remain uncertain and will depend heavily on moisture and snowpack, adding that landowner preparedness will play a key role.
Subdivision exemption process remains under review
Community Development Director Nicole Brown continued the discussion from the Feb. 11 meeting about proposed updates to the subdivision exemption review process and application forms.
Brown said no amendments had been made since the prior meeting. Commissioners noted a public hearing on subdivision regulation amendments is scheduled for March 25 at 10:05 a.m., with legal notices already submitted.
Public comment was received from Chuck Hahn, who said the proposed documents may not go far enough, particularly regarding family transfer exemptions under recent legislative changes in Montana law. Han encouraged more detailed application requirements and referenced how other counties, including Gallatin County, are interpreting their authority.
Commissioners responded that the county review authority is limited by statute and said denying exemptions outside statutory authority could expose the county to litigation. No action was taken, and the item will remain on a future agenda.
Airport power work approved for future hangars
Airport Board Chair Adam McDonald presented a $4,717 quote from Northwestern Energy to cut into a direct-buried primary power line and install a new junction can to serve future hangars at Townsend Airport.
McDonald said the expansion area includes newly constructed ramp and taxiway improvements, with multiple hangars planned. He said Lot 24 has already been leased and is expected to be constructed within 180 days.
Commissioners discussed two options: having the county pay the upfront installation cost and requiring each future hangar owner to pay to connect, or having the first hangar builder pay the full cost and seek reimbursement from future hangar owners later.
The airport board recommended the county cover the initial installation to avoid cost-sharing complications between private lessees. Commissioners approved the quote unanimously.
Claims approved
Commissioners approved payroll of $275,889.95, claims totaling $249,996 (including grant-funded airport improvements), and additional claims totaling $30,385.94.
The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m. The next regular commission meeting will be held the following Wednesday.
