[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6498414,"mediaKeyId","5785718-fc225c5c94e92eb42d0714122e5c9a4d","parentId",5785718,"title","Commissioners, staff refine ADU fact sheet and application; no formal adoption — item set for October","audioSeconds",3482,"startMs",1894000,"endMs",5376000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785718-fc225c5c94e92eb42d0714122e5c9a4d&start=1894&end=5376","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785718-fc225c5c94e92eb42d0714122e5c9a4d/thumbnail_1894000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6498414/Broadwater-County/Montana/Commissioners-staff-refine-ADU-fact-sheet-and-application-no-formal-adoption-item-set-for-October","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6498414-8e30ab91a916404a72e2169a8ac27092/orig.mp4?Expires=1776021413&Signature=f2TxL5A~Wqey-yrbNmmmZvlvmuIGXeFeta00-~jPV5l3RQT7Ppp6xVIjbFzzyJEiIU3C4W8lRZs9J2WDf7-7-lWNiIGrXT-XPXoLQIHJymiX-JZR-I4TimJdx3a7U3SR8POCEjyToUsI5iOLiuRx4aBIXqM5FlhFigw8kXWnDrm3xAigE9AQWJxR9f4SfQte9JeIrPHwGcoJHgUOXLpH2S4-7KLTfsAu9yAwkpVis-zPBNEtV4KFWlqezYI5IFWV1Qw1fiwe1DMnlqIFdt08Zmwhc1fcC1eN3CV-pbjAKRVRkpb0VKeKzUJq0CR5SrS76aA8b1p12SbrXhuX7P2bXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Broadwater County, MT","date","2025-09-18T04:46:33.98Z","article","Broadwater County commissioners and planning staff spent an extended portion of the meeting refining a proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulation package, an associated application and a fact sheet; no final regulation was adopted and the item was scheduled for further consideration at the October commission meeting.

Community Development Director Nicole Brown led the discussion about a draft regulation and application intended to give county staff an objective record when the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks county comment on sanitation rewrites for ADUs. Brown explained the problem she often faces: when a subdivision application originally limited lots to a single-family residence, DEQ’s requests for a COSA rewrite later force planning staff to either deny (because the original application shows one residence) or to have a clear, documented county process for granting approval. Brown said the draft application would provide a paper trail giving staff a basis to provide a documented response to DEQ.

Key items discussed included a proposed one-time, nonrefundable application fee of $250 (staff proposed moving the fee to the application form rather than the fact sheet), sanitation-review thresholds tied to Montana law, and clarification that parcels 20 acres or larger (exclusive of public roadways) are generally exempt from DEQ sanitation review under MCA 76-4-103 unless they provide two or more permanent spaces for RVs or mobile homes. Brown and the county sanitarian (Megan Bullock) also discussed how a self-contained ADU with cooking and laundry facilities can change permitting paths and when a COSA rewrite is necessary.

Commissioners debated whether to label the document a regulation or a fact sheet/guideline and discussed removing onerous requirements that could push people to use family transfers or other exemptions to avoid review. Commissioners asked staff to simplify the document into a fact sheet plus a signed application to create a record for DEQ and for internal notifications to county departments (for example, Public Works/solid waste and the county treasury to ensure assessments and addressing updates). The group also discussed short-term-rental licensing and the importance of notifying tax and solid-waste staff of new ADUs so assessments can be applied.

No formal resolution or rule was adopted at the meeting. Commissioners instructed staff to revise the materials (simplify the language, convert the regulation into a fact sheet, move the fee to the application, and remove mandatory fire sign-off while committing to internally notify emergency and service providers) and to return the item for decision at the October meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 September 17 Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","County planning staff and commissioners extensively discussed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) guidance, sanitation review thresholds, a proposed $250 application fee and how the county should document ADU inquiries. No regulation was adopted; the item will return to the October agenda.","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},6498420,"Commissioners approve Fairview Minor Subdivision final plat after staff verification of conditions",552,1412000,1964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785718-fc225c5c94e92eb42d0714122e5c9a4d&start=1412&end=1964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785718-fc225c5c94e92eb42d0714122e5c9a4d/thumbnail_1412000.jpg","/articles/6498420/Broadwater-County/Montana/Commissioners-approve-Fairview-Minor-Subdivision-final-plat-after-staff-verification-of-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6498420-fca80d130a44d043f6af60b43a1fbac4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776021413&Signature=XVGzi8CY43CjcWSBFkxUVKx8httFXfjGTtexPnBrtRYEk0p07bYFfMxP5G0Tz1-4gQd7HQIUvBZ-QHk71~bUEgcJN9o1C5QOC1vvw9GV0eYXY6cr6LHNBD0D4IS2yFGMdSAQZ8RIzxw~vIpKHnmwESR65SKBGsWncMthJMU-cheGZR6j18F-MmFkt7X97wEbcZvHtTHzbL0762Np2mhAV6K6UU~UrKdfD1C8UCz~pPTG~D-R~Kw4xxwnw~g1b8WosvZ6OZD2FcU7ua0aQbMocVUjEvGwOxSc7NP5uuC1ytRDsADcSBE8eu83pHWsKtoSmUKwd4Spnp07SWpFAUvT8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Broadwater County Commission approved the final plat for the Fairview Minor Subdivision following staff confirmation that required conditions had been met.

Nicole Brown, Broadwater County Community Development Director, presented the submitted final-plat materials and listed the conditions required for approval. Brown said the subdivider provided Department of Environmental Quality approval for sewage treatment and water supply, a USPS review of mailbox locations, a fire-protection plan approved by Broadwater County Rural Fire District Chief Ed Shindle, and a signed weed-management plan that will be recorded with the plat.

Brown also confirmed the final plat shows areas with slopes greater than 25% identified as no-build zones, existing and proposed utility easements, and utility availability to each lot. She said the landowner provided a deed and a platting certificate to document lawful ownership, and a tax bill showing current taxes are paid.

A motion to approve the Fairview Minor Subdivision final plat was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Brown told the commission the subdivision was a single-lot minor subdivision that required lifting an agricultural exemption before septic installation.

The commission recorded no further conditions beyond those Brown summarized; the final plat will be recorded with the accompanying documentation and required notarized declarations.","The commission granted final plat approval for the Fairview Minor Subdivision after staff verified required conditions including DEQ sanitation approval, a fire-protection plan signed by the local fire chief, weed-management documentation and tax and ownership confirmations.",{"_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},6498427,"Commissioners declare transfer-station excavator surplus and direct auction",525,972000,1497000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785718-fc225c5c94e92eb42d0714122e5c9a4d&start=972&end=1497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785718-fc225c5c94e92eb42d0714122e5c9a4d/thumbnail_972000.jpg","/articles/6498427/Broadwater-County/Montana/Commissioners-declare-transfer-station-excavator-surplus-and-direct-auction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6498427-2caa1d7664bd814111264f0b3f245587/orig.mp4?Expires=1776021413&Signature=QGdIrOwO-igzyTdJWVWUI-hpSB~C2Mhnaz4-zeAjf2DKNKxVC3m6m1cv-Qsv48-Kjepff40VdIF~n3a5x0y4qgg~dQXMLZDKQHyAm1Kuu4t2lKRSqr0G4sozRIQjCYfMstnKcd0OMyKl3vrScewzzgqPL2gTKcnABKrV8a11KV~BaVgOW2gtaYb6pS3fxZnFw9ViLxE~Wosp0~EZ8TVaSMhYDXlWKtHOID22RmJD-hGfscXA54LGECP2JpIIzE07m2F4ZdUfLmFgKYIJYqY1RAGEgwOx7vp38zDJNxtVG4zJ5jrTffDzTpkBaLe1aTDeXJC4up3joi6lfs5e2q~pMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Broadwater County Commission approved a resolution declaring a used transfer-station excavator surplus and authorized staff to offer it for auction.

Public Works Director TJ Gravely said the transfer station’s existing excavator (identified in staff materials as an E120B) remains operable but has reached a useful life; Gravely said the county is replacing it with a new machine that is currently in Belgrade awaiting attachments. He told the commission the county prefers to finance the replacement in-house so interest stays with the county rather than paying outside finance fees.

Gravely described an opportunity to surplus the old excavator through a public auction and asked commissioners to adopt the resolution declaring the machine surplus pursuant to Montana Code Annotated 7-8-2211. He estimated the used excavator could sell for roughly $5,000–$10,000 and said the unit shows about 12,000 hours on its meter.

The commission moved, seconded and approved the resolution by voice vote. Gravely asked staff to bring the machine to auction shortly so it will not remain on county property until the spring sale.

No further conditions were recorded on the resolution; commissioners discussed financing policy and keeping replacement schedules to avoid carrying aging equipment.","The commission approved a resolution declaring a transfer-station excavator surplus and authorized staff to auction it, with the county expecting to retain loan interest in-house for the replacement.",{"_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},6498431,"Commissioners approve mailing to recover $103,000 shortfall for 2022–23 solid-waste assessments",624,475000,1099000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785718-fc225c5c94e92eb42d0714122e5c9a4d&start=475&end=1099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785718-fc225c5c94e92eb42d0714122e5c9a4d/thumbnail_475000.jpg","/articles/6498431/Broadwater-County/Montana/Commissioners-approve-mailing-to-recover-103000-shortfall-for-202223-solid-waste-assessments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6498431-2a49565ee02f25586b27aec42722d1ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1776021413&Signature=YkCRIxawtFMX86OCYHZHpSK4z0qxLtACUQ-L4cM3PtmLncCgwS2gwCBTNcxUas6ZiGvXyEAZ8DHaSCiMIFICu~j4Wjj1TWRc1lvJPRVYcZl4YPKH1LOxvZw3R9jXN8tqs4hO3AscSWsqBznyoNTFuv9kES7p~k~2HsKBRUsx8DbDEkWXQwmfPO8M9NvTIC9Lvjpp3CNIaN5yMSY35~yNDBUv94kWTQ7Vw6qgz1MfSX~y0IvOOYEC54D1tCcBb2A5QadxIF~xEehO2wMKwVCKBPALfrn9sLC3EuGVHSoGM7bLywTfMZ-bg1WEfIYmb~cH~be1uvMTvneFD1L48du5qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Broadwater County Commission voted unanimously to send collection letters as part of an effort to recover about $103,000 in outstanding solid-waste assessments for the 2022–23 fiscal period.

Public Works Director TJ Gravely told commissioners the solid waste enterprise fund has a shortfall and staff drafted a letter asking property owners who received access to county solid-waste services but did not pay corresponding assessments to settle past amounts. “With us being an enterprise fund, every dollar counts,” Gravely said.

Gravely and commissioners said recent enforcement and outreach captured roughly $82,000 that had not been previously collected. The remaining unpaid amounts are concentrated among property owners with multiple assessments, including some owners whose primary residence assessments were paid but rental or other assessed properties remained unpaid. Gravely and other commissioners said the county typically works with residents on payment plans when needed; county staff reported payment plans have been honored by those who enrolled.

Commissioners discussed changing a deadline in the draft letter to Dec. 31 and agreed to the later date. Commissioners said the letter will be signed by the commission to emphasize partnership with the Solid Waste Department and will be mailed as soon as feasible.

A motion to approve the collection-letter mailing was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; commissioners recorded the motion as passed.","The Broadwater County Commission approved a letter, to be signed by commissioners, asking property owners to pay outstanding solid-waste assessments that leave an estimated $103,000 shortfall for the 2022–23 period.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6498434,"Commissioner reports Big Sky passenger-rail work; emphasizes federal funding and station uncertainty",458,58000,516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785718-fc225c5c94e92eb42d0714122e5c9a4d&start=58&end=516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785718-fc225c5c94e92eb42d0714122e5c9a4d/thumbnail_58000.jpg","/articles/6498434/Broadwater-County/Montana/Commissioner-reports-Big-Sky-passenger-rail-work-emphasizes-federal-funding-and-station-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6498434-6d6ed63eed541849b0c4b6a52fdf67a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776021414&Signature=UjAq2HCJBTfaBBKZ4P2vkPHbyz~T5u-74cf1dKmr6yW54VZduQfbr6KqZuLqelmiwY~t2vpgsse7d35BrAqbg1w8geOIn09Okl2nMWcXotCiKNY~-Wsy4kmz4SZaMS0G96QToJLCHu0QzPoof-SdLS9DqL7KAUKxa2ug63w6BTWQnHJP2KcZ9LkBOKpLNJZOTi2gIhg6d3aw3xUYpuYfuI5aJc6CADlVArscshAjFBdPKelDNu8E7Gh9er453HZSJjN~GpczzZ1wP3HncWb4GL915pC4SBHCQrObaDXIIasAzUxWYtQbeN52~pHQGowDBkUxjdqh8PFcKMETpOBtrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Ronda updated the Broadwater County Commission on a recent Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority conference that examined potential passenger-rail service and station opportunities for towns including Townsend.

The commissioner said route decisions remain unresolved and that federal funding and participation by Amtrak will shape whether trains stop in Townsend. “You need to get the train first,” Commissioner Ronda said, quoting presenters who urged prioritizing service before spending on stations.

The update summarized presentations from manufacturing representatives and speakers from other states who have developed passenger service. Ronda said the authority heard that passenger service can bring economic benefits and that federal grant programs are an important source of capital; she cited an example that “Malta, Montana received a $15,000,000 grant to improve the Empire Builder up north.”

Ronda said some questions for the authority include whether a route would run through Helena and Townsend or bypass Townsend via Butte, and how freight and passenger operators could coordinate. She also said a decision on federal reauthorization is anticipated around May 2026 and that a number of funding and implementation details remain unresolved.

The commissioner said local workgroups and the authority will continue studying routing and station options and that potential benefits — including tourism and supporting local businesses — were cited by presenters from other regions. She said partnering localities would need to plan last-mile connections (for example, shuttle service) if a station were sited near Townsend.

The report was informational; commissioners did not take formal action on the item.","Commissioner Ronda updated the Broadwater County Commission on recent Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority meetings, saying routes and station locations are undecided and that federal funding and Amtrak participation will be decisive.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners, staff refine ADU fact sheet and application; no formal adoption — item set for October

Commissioners approve Fairview Minor Subdivision final plat after staff verification of conditions

Commissioners declare transfer-station excavator surplus and direct auction

Commissioners approve mailing to recover $103,000 shortfall for 2022–23 solid-waste assessments

Commissioner reports Big Sky passenger-rail work; emphasizes federal funding and station uncertainty