County Commissioners Declare State of Emergency Amid Wind Crisis

During a recent meeting of the Missoula County Board of Commissioners, significant actions were taken in response to a wind event that led to a formal emergency declaration. The board ratified the state of emergency initially declared by Commissioner Strohmeyer, allowing for the continued operation of the incident management team and access to essential resources from the Office of Emergency Management.

In addition to the emergency declaration, the commissioners approved an exemption from standard human resource policies for exempt employees working during the emergency. This exemption allows these employees to be compensated on an hour-for-hour basis for their additional hours worked, rather than earning compensatory time, which is not reimbursable by FEMA. This decision ensures that the county can recover costs associated with the emergency response.

The meeting also featured a contract approval for a grant from the MacArthur Foundation, aimed at creating a resource guide for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. This guide will identify culturally appropriate resources across a broad region, from the Dakotas to Oregon, facilitating connections for individuals returning to Missoula or those from Missoula seeking services in other states. The project, which is fully funded by the grant, is expected to enhance support for justice-involved individuals and their reintegration into the community.

The board expressed pride in the efforts of staff members involved in these initiatives, highlighting the importance of collaboration and resource accessibility in addressing community needs during emergencies and beyond.