Broadwater County boards advance spring projects, budgets, and summer planning
Author: Rachael Brug, MT43 News Staff Reporter
Rachael Brug
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Across five county boards in mid-March, Broadwater County officials and volunteers tackled a familiar mix of springtime work: lining up budgets, preparing for busy summer seasons, and trying to stretch local dollars into bigger community wins. From trail funding and park programming to airport oversight, public health updates, and fairground upgrades, the meetings offered a snapshot of what’s moving now—and what decisions are coming next.
Broadwater County Trust Board (Canyon Ferry Trust):
The Broadwater County Trust Board focused on how to turn local trust dollars into larger outside investments, voting unanimously to commit up to $190,000 in support of future trail grant applications. Chair Steve McCullough and Vice Chair Kim Kondelik led a discussion on a request presented by Carol Hatfield on behalf of the BCDC/Trails Committee, which asked for upfront funding to cover “pre-application” work—engineering, survey, design, and grant preparation—aimed at making future applications more competitive. The request included $31,500 for early work, plus potential match commitments tied to grant awards, with the broader goal of leveraging Trust support into as much as $1.3 million in outside funding. Board members discussed timing and risk, including the importance of keeping match funds protected as cash rather than exposed to market swings. The board also reviewed financial figures that members said still needed clarification, and noted that Trust funds come from donations and contributions rather than taxpayer dollars.
Broadwater County Parks & Recreation Board:
The Broadwater County Parks & Recreation Board continued building out its roster and summer priorities, welcoming new member Amy Currence and renewing its push to fill at least one vacancy. Chair Carol Hatfield and Vice Chair Jennifer Dalrymple led a meeting that also included members Wendy Graveley and county staff support, including Nichole Brown (manager/county liaison) and Aubra Lewis (administrative assistant), with Commissioner Liaison Lindsey Richtmyer also involved. The board discussed the practical challenge of staffing and volunteer capacity—an issue that shapes everything from event planning to ongoing maintenance—and emphasized the value of broad community representation on the board. The group’s work this time of year typically sets the table for summer programming and project coordination, and members signaled they want to keep the momentum going as the weather improves and outdoor use increases.
Broadwater County Airport Board:
The Broadwater County Airport Board’s spring agenda centered on keeping the Townsend/Broadwater County Airport functional and ready for seasonal activity, including ongoing coordination with county decision-makers on infrastructure and operations. Airport oversight often involves a mix of regulatory compliance, maintenance planning, and long-range improvement discussions, and the board’s work feeds into county budgeting and contracting decisions. In recent county discussions, airport-related items have included power and utility work and the practical realities of scheduling projects around weather and contractor availability—constraints that become especially visible in rural public works planning. The airport board’s role is to keep those needs visible and organized so that when funding opportunities or maintenance windows open, the county is ready to act.
Broadwater County Board of Health;
The County Board of Health continued monitoring seasonal illness trends while looking ahead to warm-weather prevention and outreach. Chair Tiffany Jayne and Vice Chair Adrienne Frazier, along with board members David Bugg and Alyssa Lawrence, discussed updates tied to public health operations and community education, with Ruby Taylor serving as Public Health Director and board liaison in a non-voting role. The board also includes a vacancy for a member serving a three-year term, and Dr. Campbell serves as the county health officer/medical officer. In recent updates to county leaders, the health department has reported relatively low flu and COVID-19 activity and has continued promoting vaccination access, while also planning community-facing events such as summer safety programming. The board’s work often happens quietly, but it shapes how the county prepares for outbreaks, coordinates grants, and delivers services that residents may only notice when something goes wrong.
Broadwater County Fair Board
The Broadwater County Fair Board used its March 12 meeting to push forward both nuts-and-bolts facility planning and the “fun” side of fair season, approving budget steps and discussing entertainment, rentals, and fairground improvements. Fair Manager Jessica Erickson walked members through budget updates and upcoming timelines, with Commission Liaison Jesse Swenson answering questions about how fair budgets move through county processes. The board approved an updated budget and then voted to pursue a budget amendment of up to $9,000 to bundle several capital needs into one request, including a floor scrubber (with discussion favoring a model with a recovery tank), five six-foot banquet tables, two chair racks, one set of bleachers, and an allowance for replacement chairs as needed. Members also discussed how to boost “under the tent” activity after a slow year, refining a schedule for strolling magician Mickey O’Connor and exploring local musicians—potentially through a Facebook call for performers. Other ideas ranged from background music and karaoke to revisiting a paint party with a more appealing design, continuing fair games, and considering a mechanical bull option, discussed at roughly $800 per day with waivers handled by the operator. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for April 9 at 5:15 p.m.
What to watch next
With spring budgets and summer calendars taking shape, the next round of meetings will likely bring more concrete decisions: finalizing match commitments and timelines for trail grants, filling open seats on boards, locking in fair entertainment contracts, and translating public health planning into visible community outreach. For residents, the through-line is simple: these boards are where many of the county’s practical decisions get tested in public—one line item, one project, and one season at a time.
