[{"_1":2,"_113":-5,"_114":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84,94,104],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6056787,"mediaKeyId","3308831-6125d7642edf92a86a409fc0df46bf1b","parentId",3308831,"title","Resident praises EMT training and urges Cascade County to maintain emergency services funding","audioSeconds",178,"startMs",2676000,"endMs",2854000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308831-6125d7642edf92a86a409fc0df46bf1b&start=2676&end=2854","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6056787/Cascade-County/Montana/Resident-praises-EMT-training-and-urges-Cascade-County-to-maintain-emergency-services-funding","mediaUrl","author","MT / Cascade County","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","At the public-comment portion of the April 22 meeting, Shannon Wilson, who identified herself as a graduate of an earlier EMT class, urged Cascade County to continue funding and support for local emergency medical services training.

Wilson described completing the first class in November, passing the certification exam in April after limited study, and credited instructors Joey Sahara, Colin Campbell and Dylan Bell for creating a culture that emphasized practical thinking and readiness.

Wilson said she has heard of possible cuts to county disaster and emergency services funding tied to federal budget changes and asked the county to “please keep our DES to help save their lives.” She told commissioners she will participate in the upcoming class beginning in May and urged continued county support.

Her remarks were made during the meeting’s public-comment period; the commission did not take formal action on the request during the meeting.","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","Cascade County Commission Meeting April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident who graduated the county’s first EMT class encouraged commissioners to keep emergency services and training intact amid federal budget cuts, saying local instructors instilled a culture of practical preparation.","taxTitle","Cascade County, Montana","taxId",5060,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":50,"_51":81,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6056792,"Cascade County commission approves consent agenda and routine financial items",421,820000,1241000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308831-6125d7642edf92a86a409fc0df46bf1b&start=820&end=1241","/articles/6056792/Cascade-County/Montana/Cascade-County-commission-approves-consent-agenda-and-routine-financial-items","The Cascade County Commission unanimously approved a series of routine financial and administrative items April 22, including acceptance of purchase orders and accounts payable warrants and the full consent agenda.

County staff asked the commission to accept the report of approved purchase orders and accounts payable warrants; the commission approved the motion with a verbal “aye” and the record shows the motion carried.

The consent agenda included approvals and appointments across departments. Items read into the record included:

- Board appointments for the Upper Lower Water Sewer District (three-year term) and other vacancies.
- Contracts including CenturyLink total advantage agreement (ISDN PRS) for approximately $29,400 annually; an FY25 Montana DPHHS contract (total contract $488,041) with a mix of federal and state funds and ARPA carryover; MDT noxious weed control agreement providing $60,000 annually to the county; amendments to DPHHS detention center services and other department service agreements; and a lease/easement allowing county use of an existing radio repeater site (effective 01/01/2025–12/31/2041) with county cost $720 annually.
- Resolutions 25-23 and 25-24: budget appropriations within Aging Services and Older Americans Act programs totaling $23,715 and $10,000, respectively, to reallocate state general fund support and other program funds.
- City-County Health Department budget adjustments recognizing a $62,166 funding decrease for Montana Cancer Control Program and a $44,807 reappropriation related to universally offered home visiting (item noted as no longer proceeding).

Staff recommended approval of the consent agenda as submitted; no items were pulled for separate discussion. The motion to approve the consent agenda carried with no recorded opposition.

The treasurer delivered the monthly report, listing bank balances, court restitution, sheriff commissary and evidence funds, property tax receipts and other revenue figures. Commissioners thanked the treasurer; no formal action on the treasurer’s report was recorded beyond receipt and acknowledgment.

All items on the consent agenda and the purchase orders/accounts payable motion were approved as read into the record; the county packet contains full contract texts and supporting documents.","At its April 22 meeting the Cascade County Commission approved purchase orders and accounts payable warrants, accepted the consent agenda containing multiple contracts and budget appropriations, and received the treasurer's report; motions were recorded as carried with no public opposition.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":50,"_51":91,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":92,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":93,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6056797,"Commission approves public surplus auction to sell 10 vehicles and equipment beginning May 5",129,1242000,1371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308831-6125d7642edf92a86a409fc0df46bf1b&start=1242&end=1371","/articles/6056797/Cascade-County/Montana/Commission-approves-public-surplus-auction-to-sell-10-vehicles-and-equipment-beginning-May-5","The Cascade County Commission approved contract 25-36 April 22 to sell 10 older fleet vehicles, one tractor, one snowblower and one tire machine via the Public Surplus auction site beginning May 5, 2025.

Public Works staff said the items have been replaced or are obsolete and will be posted to the Public Surplus auction; items that do not reach reserve prices will be returned to a later auction. The auction notice was advertised in the Great Falls Tribune on April 13 and April 20 and is posted on the county website, staff said.

County staff recommended the commission approve the sale. The motion carried; no public opposition or conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes.

The sale record and item list are to be included in the county’s commission packet and posted on the county website for reference.","Cascade County commissioners approved contract 25-36 to list 10 older fleet vehicles, a tractor, a snowblower and a tire machine on the Public Surplus auction site beginning May 5, 2025; items not meeting reserve will be re-listed later.",{"_33":95,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":96,"_41":97,"_43":98,"_45":99,"_47":100,"_49":50,"_51":101,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":102,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":103,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6056802,"County approves lease/rent permit for four 3,000-square-foot bays on Parcel 5720400",351,1370000,1721000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308831-6125d7642edf92a86a409fc0df46bf1b&start=1370&end=1721","/articles/6056802/Cascade-County/Montana/County-approves-leaserent-permit-for-four-3000-square-foot-bays-on-Parcel-5720400","The Cascade County Commission voted unanimously April 22 to approve a building-for-lease/rent application for four 3,000-square-foot bays on Parcel 5720400 (geocode 0231362340402000), subject to the condition that the applicant obtain any required federal, state or county permits.

Planning staff described the site as mixed-use (MU) zoning with existing commercial use and noted surrounding land uses. The parcel is accessed from County-maintained Twelfth Street in Vaughn, will use existing bond water and sewer, and is in FEMA Zone X (area protected by a levee), staff said.

The proposed structure contains four bays of 3,000 square feet each and additional non-rental frontage space. Staff recommended approval with one condition: the applicant must obtain any other required permits and comply with associated regulations.

The commission’s motion to adopt the staff report and approve the application carried with the stated condition. No public comment or staff opposition was recorded during the discussion.

The decision: Approval was granted with the condition that all other required permits be obtained by the applicant. The staff report and associated exhibits (vicinity and zoning maps, public notice) are part of the project record.","Cascade County commissioners approved a building-for-lease/rent application to allow four 3,000-square-foot commercial bays on Parcel 5720400, subject to obtaining all required federal, state and county permits.",{"_33":105,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":106,"_41":107,"_43":99,"_45":108,"_47":109,"_49":50,"_51":110,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":111,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":112,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6056807,"Cascade County extends MCEP grant deadline for Arlington Bridge project amid rising cost concerns",977,2698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308831-6125d7642edf92a86a409fc0df46bf1b&start=1721&end=2698","/articles/6056807/Cascade-County/Montana/Cascade-County-extends-MCEP-grant-deadline-for-Arlington-Bridge-project-amid-rising-cost-concerns","The Cascade County Commission voted 2-1 April 22 to approve contract 25-42, an amendment extending the Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP) grant for the Arlington Bridge replacement project to March 31, 2028.

The extension preserves $750,000 in MCEP funds previously awarded for construction work on the Arlington Bridge; Cascade County staff told commissioners that initial construction estimates were $1.6 million but have risen to about $2.4 million because of inflation and additional requirements tied to Burlington Northern Santa Fe. County staff said the county holds about $2.8 million in a reserve account for the project.

Why it matters: The bridge has repeatedly flooded and its in-channel piers trap debris, county staff said, creating recurring safety and maintenance risks for the road and for crews that clear the channel. Extending the grant deadline preserves the county’s access to the MCEP award while staff continue to secure an easement from Burlington Northern Santa Fe and finalize permitting and bids.

Public works staff described the project history and outstanding obstacles. According to the staff presentation, Cascade County contracted TDNH Engineering to pursue funding and design work; in May 2021 MCEP awarded $750,000 and the county signed the original contract through Dec. 31, 2025. County staff said the county requested the extension after an easement from Burlington Northern Santa Fe was not granted in time for permits and bidding.

Commissioner [surname withheld in transcript], who moved the amendment, said the project’s safety rationale outweighed the rising cost, while another commissioner said they had “some heartburn with this because of the dollar creep on this project.” A third commissioner said they were uncomfortable and indicated they would vote no.

County staff estimated that keeping the project moving through design and to the public bid stage could cost “probably $500,000” more in county expenses before construction bids are opened; staff also said the county can decline to proceed if bids exceed the county’s budget at a later stage.

The vote: The motion to adopt contract 25-42 passed 2 to 1. The meeting record does not include a roll-call of individual votes; the tally is shown as 2–1.

What stays unresolved: County staff said the easement from Burlington Northern Santa Fe remains outstanding and must be acquired before the county proceeds to final permitting and bidding. Staff also warned that estimated costs could continue to rise over the multi-year timeline and that significant additional costs would be brought back to the commission before commitment.

Commissioners and staff said the county’s sheriff’s office and local crews have been active in monitoring the stream and clearing debris after high-water events, but they emphasized that the bridge’s design—three piers in-channel—contributes to repeated blockages and flooding.

The commission’s approval extends the MCEP contract deadline to March 31, 2028, preserving state grant eligibility while the county continues easement negotiations, design and permitting work.","The Cascade County Commission voted 2-1 to accept an amendment extending a Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP) grant for the Arlington Bridge replacement to March 31, 2028, while commissioners expressed concern about rising project costs and unresolved easement negotiations with Burlington Northern Santa Fe.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident praises EMT training and urges Cascade County to maintain emergency services funding

Cascade County commission approves consent agenda and routine financial items

Commission approves public surplus auction to sell 10 vehicles and equipment beginning May 5

County approves lease/rent permit for four 3,000-square-foot bays on Parcel 5720400

Cascade County extends MCEP grant deadline for Arlington Bridge project amid rising cost concerns