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Granite County commissioners oppose bill allowing petition-driven road districts to bypass county approval
Summary
Granite County commissioners voted to formally oppose House Bill 369 and to have a county representative testify against it, citing concerns that the measure would allow small groups to form road improvement districts that reduce county control and divert county road funds.
Commissioners in Granite County voted to oppose House Bill 369 and directed a county representative to testify against the measure at the legislature.
Commissioner Blaine said, "I think it's horrible bill," and argued that HB 369 would let petitioners bypass county authority and could force counties to shift road maintenance money and staff resources to new districts. Commissioners discussed the bill's provisions, including language that would let organizers form a road improvement district on roads "previously maintained by the county and owned by an entity other than the county," and a section that would require county commissioners to reduce property tax levies for road maintenance by the dollar amount assessed by any such district.
The county's treasurer and other officials warned commissioners the measure could remove negotiating leverage with federal land managers and the Forest Service and might force counties to reassign maintenance funds or reduce service elsewhere. Commissioner Blaine said the bill would "take out your bargaining, your negotiating power with the Forest Service," and other commissioners agreed it could shift costs and create administrative burdens for sparsely resourced rural counties.
Commissioners discussed options for opposing the bill, including sending a county representative to testify in Helena. A motion was made and adopted to oppose HB 369 and to have a county representative present testimony to the House Local Government Committee. Commissioners noted that MACO (the Montana Association of Counties) was also opposing the bill and that at least one other county commissioner planned to testify the same day.
Ending
County officials asked residents who are interested in testifying to register with the legislative committee in advance; the board noted the committee accepts in-person or Zoom testimony with a sign-up requirement for remote witnesses. No formal tally of individual commissioner votes was recorded in the minutes beyond a voice vote in favor of the motion.
