[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6169207,"mediaKeyId","5404995-60b8ac66c7e5e02befa007eb75833dba","parentId",5404995,"title","County agrees to match 400 yards of gravel and add dust control on Lakeshore after Forest Service limits work","audioSeconds",1025,"startMs",1217000,"endMs",2242000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404995-60b8ac66c7e5e02befa007eb75833dba&start=1217&end=2242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404995-60b8ac66c7e5e02befa007eb75833dba/thumbnail_1217000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6169207/Granite-County/Montana/County-agrees-to-match-400-yards-of-gravel-and-add-dust-control-on-Lakeshore-after-Forest-Service-limits-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169207-5aaeea5dccdc965277e2ce4ffcc129dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144035&Signature=oI6miAvRHUnlW~7D4ZwLON5j3ZRDvkUqgfTSUdjdYPfa2JbAklAZr9Ctz9mZBThWzrEtYuhWYQqW9lOefiBNBt192ug8gDR81kL2HxkhnMQLY-cebXiMPf~spAzCex7QaUcvB8QYIHqAJ81fYxBq0M843xlp8COFbmIMRMAN0mwq7ScepbRGQ6EY6sNlkMCssQ7lgZYCpIrNXZxusBNEsr7Z~LkKt8zrIBP42zi9mkMzBxF3SInZ0m3C1YvrzjKmwVORn3QQYUAfDwpYb1E2KLfF7LkpT-arHi801AiMuyCR5q1tY~CWf8abd13akXpknbPrQHHGjJhGjwCW5H7T9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Granite County, MT","date","2025-07-15T18:34:59Z","article","Granite County commissioners on July 15 approved a plan to match Lakeshore homeowners by placing 400 yards of gravel on the road and applying mag for dust control after an email from the U.S. Forest Service said it would only supply gravel and would not apply dust suppressant for residential comfort.

The action follows correspondence from a local contact (Cameron) reporting that Forest Service policy does not cover maintaining roads for ‘‘residential purposes’’ or ‘‘user comfort,’’ and instead prioritizes gravel to extend road life. Commissioners discussed cost, operational details and how to document the county’s contribution so it could be recovered or justified to residents.

Why it matters: Lakeshore Road is used by residents and recreational visitors, and commissioners said the combination of heavy seasonal traffic and lack of Forest Service dust control led to repeated complaints and a high maintenance burden for county equipment and staff. Several commissioners argued that gravel alone would not hold under peak traffic and that applying mag was necessary to protect the county’s investment.

Key details: Commissioners agreed to place 400 yards of gravel on Lakeshore and to apply mag (referred to in the meeting as ‘‘maggie’’ or ‘‘mag’’) to the treated segment. The board discussed a $10,000 figure as a planning reference and said county equipment and operator time should be accounted for when invoicing homeowners or the homeowners association for the county’s contribution. The board also asked staff to prepare a letter to the homeowners association documenting what the county would do and noting that if the homeowners did not maintain their side of the match, the county would expect additional funds in future years.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decision: Commissioners debated whether gravel alone would last and whether the county should shoulder equipment and manpower costs. They decided — by motion, second and subsequent Board agreement — to supply 400 yards of gravel and to apply mag to the corridor, and to document the work and request follow-up from the homeowners association (Brian Clark was referenced as the HOA contact). Commissioners also directed staff to send a letter asking the HOA to commit to their share and to document the county’s expenditures for possible reimbursement next year.

Concerns recorded: Multiple commissioners warned that placing only dry gravel without mag would be quickly blown off or turned into washboard by traffic; one commissioner recommended saving mag expenditures as a ‘‘pay forward’’ expense to help next year’s maintenance. Several commissioners also raised a separate community concern: county deputies and reserve deputies had been used to provide traffic control at a recent local bike race and some residents called for a letter demanding compensation for deputy overtime; commissioners asked staff to include that concern in the written outreach to the HOA and event organizers.

Next steps: Staff will prepare the homeowners letter documenting the county match, record the time and equipment costs attributable to county forces, and report back to the commission; the board said it will seek additional funds or reimbursement from the HOA in the next budget year if the HOA does not sustain its part of the maintenance.

No formal ordinance or statute change was enacted; the action was an operational funding/matching decision recorded in the meeting minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Granite County commissioners on July 15 approved supplying 400 yards of gravel and applying mag for dust control on Lakeshore Road after the U.S. Forest Service told the county it would not apply mag for ‘‘residential purposes.’","taxTitle","Granite County , Montana","taxId",79639,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169192,"Phillipsburg Ambulance reports billing agreement with Soulstone, training endorsements for EMTs and interest in grant funds for second unit",190,4410000,4600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404995-60b8ac66c7e5e02befa007eb75833dba&start=4410&end=4600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404995-60b8ac66c7e5e02befa007eb75833dba/thumbnail_4410000.jpg","/articles/6169192/Granite-County/Montana/Phillipsburg-Ambulance-reports-billing-agreement-with-Soulstone-training-endorsements-for-EMTs-and-interest-in-grant-funds-for-second-unit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169192-d384c269dc18df7fcf99084ba8dcaafb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144035&Signature=QeOWS4QknJ7X7JG~pmy1fs4c6VLGE-L5sF~ihhmiA~vlHVokTbFfs4OC2Xs-8MpoF3uiX0oTeECLVaynGR1K5ciaxCSxJS1bZFQ~IBKTKrrnFT~xwsYz7aHeJ4vBIw-I1~TXkP2QQocHG~Tx0xGu75Ae83OMEn6qOKxOFAqXvaK4lwkocGNODU75S1bJ--wf2Ie0AJqb9zqQmahTWVGpBnoozmkmh5q7F7C~7sh47kizFaK-cxlZbPsZANpEMu~L13YTpvKgxWAd5OgGBLc44rcslk8E35aNadW6rP-6bgTl~DLnzT9JtlqZcrsG0oIwVk~eRbvYE05PDdEClrvLaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Robert Lougheron, chief and president of the Phillipsburg Ambulance Association, briefed the commissioners July 15 on operations and staffing.

Lougheron said the ambulance service signed a HIPAA agreement and a billing agreement with Soulstone; the service expects to begin billing through Soulstone after the provider completes system setup. He said four of the service’s EMTs are pursuing endorsements that permit limited advanced interventions (IVs, certain medication administration and advanced airways) without taking a full advanced EMT course; the endorsements are intended to expand capabilities using existing volunteer/part-time staff.

The service reported steady call volume in recent months — including motorcycle accidents and cardiac events — and provided standby coverage for a recent bike race. Lougheron said the service has an inspection scheduled for September and is preparing equipment for that review. He also described a longer-term interest in applying for grant funding to acquire another ambulance or updated equipment to handle growing call volume.

Why it matters: Local ambulance capacity affects emergency response time in rural Granite County. The billing agreement with Soulstone is intended to professionalize revenue capture for runs and improve sustainability for a largely volunteer service.

Next steps: Ambulance leadership will proceed with the Soulstone billing process, continue EMT endorsement training, and staff intends to bring potential grant requests to the commission when appropriate.","Robert Lougheron, chief of the Phillipsburg Ambulance Association, told commissioners that the service signed a HIPAA and billing agreement with Soulstone, is training four EMTs for additional endorsements, and is exploring grant funding for equipment or a second ambulance ahead of a September inspection.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169197,"Commissioners accept estimate to repair low spot on county runway; contractor to strip and reseal a 100-foot section",141,3994000,4135000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404995-60b8ac66c7e5e02befa007eb75833dba&start=3994&end=4135","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404995-60b8ac66c7e5e02befa007eb75833dba/thumbnail_3994000.jpg","/articles/6169197/Granite-County/Montana/Commissioners-accept-estimate-to-repair-low-spot-on-county-runway-contractor-to-strip-and-reseal-a-100-foot-section","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169197-7ef045bc60f5b0372afc27f56c99953f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144035&Signature=jzPq2PXTHcoOZSe0VY6r9XeE7ry4xSuu83EkSOHNZNB~aYg9NT6o6A9qZk8gdcatr1AEchWXD-qhXGv6i5-LDtrBbWtpqaOaaqfr6yrg-bJKhUHoIIY-tGmQTBqoiatnounMDq6mBcYGA92TYjb3jbMLud~fcoUJGifC8ioZZ6AklO-bq-WPj96aFlMFy9h9bdVEhXcWTNaSg5wtZZle0pferXiNEQxnSmKrCk4pp2phkgPFMSy1BSbIqCjkna9gR4kBr06ZecDkS1PVt-jtv9F8QNjGi0zwsLcQvIM6xOHvdYtJyxIhLCk8oGxvr32qUTskiHHP~DuXgjMn2Ig9Fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board accepted a contractor estimate July 15 to repair a deteriorating low spot on the county-owned runway. County staff reported that the paved surface at the airport is layered chip-seal from earlier decades and that the low area is breaking up and shedding material — posing a risk to aircraft propellers and wheels.

An on-site inspection and an engineering sample had shown layered chip-seal deterioration concentrated at the low spot in the runway. Staff said the contractor recommended removing the failing material on roughly 100 feet of the runway, rebuilding that segment, and applying a new chip-seal overlay for the affected area.

Why it matters: County staff said loose chunks of chip-seal were increasingly present on the runway and that the location of the damage coincides with where some aircraft operate at high propeller power, increasing the risk of foreign-object damage to aircraft.

Action taken: The commission entertained a motion to accept the contractor’s estimate (Shadow Asphalt / Dishon paving referenced) and to proceed with the repair. The motion was seconded; staff said the contractor could likely start soon. Commissioners asked staff to finalize contract paperwork and to schedule the work promptly.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the contractor agreement, confirm timeline and safety measures, and notify airport users of expected closures or activity. The work was framed as a targeted repair (not a full runway overlay) based on the contractor’s recommendation.","Granite County commissioners voted to accept an estimate to remove failing chip-seal at a low spot in the county runway and to reseal a roughly 100-foot section after staff and a contractor (Shadow Asphalt recommended) determined the surface had multiple chip-seal layers failing in the runway’s low spot.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6169202,"Commissioners press for spray-and-repair accountability at county dump sites; solid-waste staff asked to coordinate billing",74,2816000,2890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5404995-60b8ac66c7e5e02befa007eb75833dba&start=2816&end=2890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5404995-60b8ac66c7e5e02befa007eb75833dba/thumbnail_2816000.jpg","/articles/6169202/Granite-County/Montana/Commissioners-press-for-spray-and-repair-accountability-at-county-dump-sites-solid-waste-staff-asked-to-coordinate-billing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169202-4c5b6d8def2e6c1f456d21aa56c6c8e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144035&Signature=IkBipYXzkptwt3M~BvYwCiEB0UbBqE9c0IxKAuyKqEzyfGz4ajPkcVAS37deFvJGkK5lVl61FPFk53CRKeFPzm9SkovsdOP3t0fhDg28AwAUz2AxK73o-UbkFQB32lQkL8PgWSmaWBHkW~PdVE97GrR8j6lRm75bUx~5k0C0VwHyeqgFCzbHaM9~cHqAx66P3HuWjKqaVyiybbUO~8IhQ6DbIJpuIkSM653PY1TNkIa2E0y-DHr4Em6Fri7ihu4~LZEn94sTbEAbhqX32tcwj-UhG5gAJr8JgT~n-TuOA2nVAu7CJJy8CDDjCrd1m1KSv7YdwcEMSnjscmS1fIpJRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners reviewed a Solid Waste District weekly report and correspondence July 15 that flagged outstanding weed-spraying work, billing for services, and repair invoices at county dump sites.

The Solid Waste report noted an email from Todd (Foster) asking whether county sprayers had completed scheduled weed control and whether billing for spray operations should be charged to specific county funds or to solid-waste accounts. Commissioners asked staff to confirm which vehicle and credit card were being used for product purchases and to ensure invoices are coded to the appropriate fund.

Why it matters: Commissioners said county property — including the Phillipsburg dump and county shops — needs regular vegetation control and repair work to limit fire risk and to maintain site operations. They discussed the need for better documentation when contractors spray or perform repairs so the county can bill contractors or recover costs where permitted by contracts.

Key details and staff direction: Commissioners asked staff (Ben and Paul were referenced) to:
- Confirm who is responsible for scheduled weed spraying and to document spray activity at all county properties.
- Ensure that the solid-waste credit card and vehicle references are correct in contractor communications so billing can be posted to the right accounts.
- Work with Blackfoot (contractor referenced) to obtain bills for spraying and request reimbursement where site permits require restoration (seed, weed control) after disturbance.

Repairs and equipment: Commissioners reviewed invoices related to the dump-site garage door repair, a rented roller, and other equipment service calls. Staff said they would keep a tighter log of service calls and repairs and would return with a list of outstanding maintenance items and related invoices.

No formal resolution was adopted; commissioners requested follow-up engagement with solid-waste staff and directed that more detailed reporting be provided at the next meeting.","The Board reviewed solid-waste correspondence about weed spraying and site maintenance, asked staff to confirm who will spray county properties and how the costs will be billed, and discussed several repair invoices and equipment rentals at the Phillipsburg and county shop sites.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County agrees to match 400 yards of gravel and add dust control on Lakeshore after Forest Service limits work

Phillipsburg Ambulance reports billing agreement with Soulstone, training endorsements for EMTs and interest in grant funds for second unit

Commissioners accept estimate to repair low spot on county runway; contractor to strip and reseal a 100-foot section

Commissioners press for spray-and-repair accountability at county dump sites; solid-waste staff asked to coordinate billing