[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6463321,"mediaKeyId","5785727-ff7b8032ce5a55510545bcab18a0e3c2","parentId",5785727,"title","Public health director schedules tabletop exercise, requests board help condensing plans","audioSeconds",798,"startMs",385000,"endMs",1183000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785727-ff7b8032ce5a55510545bcab18a0e3c2&start=385&end=1183","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785727-ff7b8032ce5a55510545bcab18a0e3c2/thumbnail_385000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6463321/Broadwater-County/Montana/Public-health-director-schedules-tabletop-exercise-requests-board-help-condensing-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463321-7c2d007676a1858ef4e6ba35a4eac600/orig.mp4?Expires=1776021334&Signature=Ptah2mowqnqLrKFTdva0oASnmyNke3DCW5OAf~Lb5~Jo-7Le~fe7nvP0VgUrQlqy2TINwR6qUDJpakyd1-BlQg4d7sFD6K7wqRU6ykEOT73joPMF6bw~F53kQUgYclXl2w3VDndS1F~lIk6prahVkxiW8Q3hNEXbjV80RQoDS2kI3qa2h9bLDswiyTx5HN1BAWpCRGtEb1ybDV7N43H1Fcrg0iPqHxBfJXpx~1FfxhqGqnTlKn3FVioqHMfw5PzApGZfasX03p6OD4JcK5Io8YYNREWEeE2qzdyByOmg2pWPiUfap3AL4rrwaZlvsQCALKLgiQJ7XFagfu~VpDnLQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Broadwater County, MT","date","2025-09-16T04:46:33.98Z","article","Ruby Taylor, public health director for Broadwater County, briefed the board on preparedness work and policy updates, asking for board help to condense and review the department’s communicable‑disease and emergency plans.

Taylor said a highly infectious‑disease tabletop exercise will be hosted for Broadwater County on Wednesday, March 4 from 9 a.m. to noon in the school community room; the scenario will be run by the state FEP team, and Taylor is coordinating local attendance and invites to the hospital, DES and other partners. She encouraged board members to attend the first hour and to leave if the scenario does not involve their responsibilities.

Taylor said the department is entering flu season and will be “getting a little crazy” operationally. She noted required trainings and deliverables tied to state and federal partners, including a DPHHS HS training and work with DES and LEPC. Taylor said she will attend a conference (Summer Institute) in September to meet grant requirements and to get training credits.

A substantive portion of Taylor’s update concerned the county’s policy documents. She said the communicable disease (CD) plan is “45 pages long” and that she needs the board’s help to condense and modernize it. Taylor asked the board to review the CD plan and the influenza/transport plans and suggested working through one policy per meeting or holding a single working session specifically to condense and update policy language. The board agreed to schedule a working meeting Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. to begin that work.

Taylor also noted deliverables for FEP and asked members to help identify which policies and emergency plans the board should prioritize. She said some older policies show a 2021 date and that DES contributed to earlier reviews; she recommended a focused initial review and annual refreshes thereafter.

Other items mentioned during the meeting: the county will coordinate with the hospital for an earthquake “Great ShakeOut” drill on Oct. 10; attendees discussed emerging product regulation (examples raised included kratom and certain energy drinks) after noticing regulatory moves in nearby counties; and the board deferred a bylaws review to 2026 after completing the strategic‑planning and policy work.

Taylor said she will assemble the relevant policy documents for the board and promised to send them electronically for shared review prior to the working meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 September 15 Board of Health Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Public health director Ruby Taylor outlined an infectious‑disease tabletop exercise, upcoming training requirements, and asked the board to help condense and review lengthy communicable‑disease and emergency plans at a working meeting.","taxTitle","Broadwater County, Montana","taxId",76384,"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},6463326,"Sanitarian reports steady inspections, temporary‑permit guidance and enforcement cases",254,103000,357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785727-ff7b8032ce5a55510545bcab18a0e3c2&start=103&end=357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785727-ff7b8032ce5a55510545bcab18a0e3c2/thumbnail_103000.jpg","/articles/6463326/Broadwater-County/Montana/Sanitarian-reports-steady-inspections-temporarypermit-guidance-and-enforcement-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463326-0bc748f914554ace1d4c065b99cb0d6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776021334&Signature=AFZqkAjWky4mi2vXb6sWybPkIOtBuS14yFjYsyoyx8MhazGxwkXeKb1tKenDJw9NfVpq6f8N8P-NAW44R1H1Vbzq7HMarQPRSRpzeTyoQUOl64yi9dR~6H9a0sRvSIxgAZRcM0JvUSKplpHn7dg7vqVe7bEirCIzu1QqcQ1wjWODaTKifZ4hjj2ZfI-KfEXUU6ZmUbcv-kHaD~dLpuPMa9b-WHo6L8dahdcZJbPoRmaszyg~xSu10obLJ~0U6IaTIf~7WTImDpyUPrHb05009y76B6z42DsTdnkF-nsgmR~120CHrtxdTWQdN3WMMKRCAldzMEcw8xHDP9QWe2J6-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Megan Bullock, Broadwater County sanitarian, told the Board of Health that environmental‑health work has been steady and that the county has been issuing a steady stream of permits and conducting inspections of licensed establishments.

Bullock said the county compares its inspection activity with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) as part of quarterly audits. She reported roughly a dozen inspections remaining to complete before December for the current audit period.

Bullock recapped activity at recent community events: the county fair operated without reported problems; she said the fair had “around 13, 16 food vendors,” and the department issued many temporary permits for upcoming events such as Fall Fest.

On fees, Bullock said nonprofit and certain licensed vendors (for example under cottage‑food rules or licensed mobile vendors) do not pay temporary‑permit fees. Others pay a small fee: Bullock said, in her words, “It’s only the people who don't fit any of those categories that pay $85 for a small and 1 gift team for a large.” The transcript text for the large‑permit fee was not specified precisely; the precise large‑permit fee was not recorded.

Bullock also described “test pits,” a site evaluation required before issuing a septic permit on larger parcels: an 8‑ to 10‑foot pit dug within roughly 25 feet of the proposed septic location so the sanitarian can inspect for limiting layers (bedrock or groundwater) and assess soil type to size the drainfield.

She reported a couple of enforcement cases — one at “the silos” and another involving junk vehicles, tires and solid waste — and said the second case is coming into compliance. Bullock said the county is issuing temporary‑event permits and continuing routine inspections of restaurants, motels and trailer courts.

Board members asked clarifying questions about test pits and permit outreach; Bullock said event coordinators generally work well with county staff and that organizers typically know to contact environmental health for permanent permits.

No formal board action was taken during the update; the department will continue inspections and follow up on enforcement cases.","Broadwater County sanitarian Megan Bullock reported steady permit activity, inspections for restaurants and lodging, several enforcement cases moving toward compliance, and explained test‑pit requirements for septic permits.",{"_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},6463330,"Broadwater County Board of Health adopts mission statement, narrows scope and sets strategic‑planning work schedule",2418,1867000,4285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785727-ff7b8032ce5a55510545bcab18a0e3c2&start=1867&end=4285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785727-ff7b8032ce5a55510545bcab18a0e3c2/thumbnail_1867000.jpg","/articles/6463330/Broadwater-County/Montana/Broadwater-County-Board-of-Health-adopts-mission-statement-narrows-scope-and-sets-strategicplanning-work-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463330-7a8ddc7b712a87c3602ce8d19c2855a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776021334&Signature=XLwE2fYTzuYXG~GgBwifD9u1OzrvPafgsp4-7NLt6~EmZLStY0pRLH~pUjEUfZeokVt~77PjEHsIL3waOifOTJFY8ksEzEa4AGj-CWlHUIypGb8vR635eYsR4yYsRAm7v9S6rztl0Q653L5tHpEcDXnwE~H0jZ8QeHmcb~KgXSZjcYvTegzqaXdYuNRO7td44K7TT8hwChHhtsv28HapQ3TNcDM0-rDvjY1im0LY12y~OSv8Ap2Hzsb0qt7mmrJ5Xc9xCjsUpSE-~pf9dayuDmFAEblEWIAzNw775f8agf95AUdYgwWPa3vu6OfAD0sy7OVNck7efQis5vHQRp-JdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Broadwater County Board of Health on a voice vote adopted a mission statement and approved a narrowed scope of responsibilities as part of a push to create a playbook-style strategic plan for the county.

The board adopted this mission: “To promote and protect public health and environmental quality in Broadwater County through education, community partnerships, collaboration, and policies.” Members also approved changes to the board’s listed scope so the eventual strategic plan can map specific work steps and responsibilities.

The action formalizes work the board has already begun: members agreed to use the county’s forthcoming Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) as evidence to shape the strategic plan. The board directed staff and members to begin with public‑health policy and emergency plans, then proceed through the other scope items in sequence so each meeting produces concrete deliverables and guidance for future boards.

Board members scheduled a working meeting for Monday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. to begin reviewing public‑health emergency plans and the first set of policies. The board also agreed to advertise openings for new members starting Oct. 1 and running through early November so appointments can be recommended to the commission at the board’s November meeting.

During discussion members emphasized keeping the scope concise and moving detailed program elements into the strategic plan so future boards have a clear “playbook.” Members said the strategic plan should include: which policies the board will review, lines of responsibility during public‑health incidents, and where board input is expected for programs and services.

The board also discussed placing the mission statement and scope on the county website after they are reviewed by the county commission, and creating a “news/flyer” area on the page for seasonal updates and recruitment notices.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes from June 16 — motion: approve minutes from Monday, June 16; outcome: approved by voice vote; public tally not specified in the transcript.
- Adoption of mission statement — motion: adopt mission reading: “To promote and protect public health and environmental quality in Broadwater County through education, community partnerships, collaboration, and policies.” Outcome: approved by voice vote; public tally not specified in the transcript.
- Adoption of scope with discussed changes — motion: accept scope with changes as discussed; outcome: approved by voice vote; public tally not specified in the transcript.

What happens next: board members and staff will gather policy and plan documents (Ruby Taylor, public health director, said she would assemble policies and plans) and will begin the policy‑review work at the Oct. 20 working meeting. The board intends to use the CHA/CHIP to prioritize the strategic plan’s goals and metrics.

The board’s actions place the mission and scope before the county commission for final posting on the county website and for formal record.","The Broadwater County Board of Health voted to adopt a mission statement and a streamlined scope of duties, agreed a process for drafting a strategic plan tied to the community health assessment, and set working‑meeting dates and recruitment timelines for board vacancies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public health director schedules tabletop exercise, requests board help condensing plans

Sanitarian reports steady inspections, temporary‑permit guidance and enforcement cases

Broadwater County Board of Health adopts mission statement, narrows scope and sets strategic‑planning work schedule