Ravalli County commissioners apply for $1 million Ricketts Road grant, approve 30‑year range lease and set up account to pay Right to Farm and Ranch secretary;

RAVALLI COUNTY, Mont. — The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners on April 17 moved to apply for a $1,000,000 Community Project Funding grant for improvements on Ricketts Road, approved a multi‑decade lease for the county’s gun range near Whitaker, and asked county finance staff to create an account to pay the Right to Farm and Ranch board’s secretary. The board also continued award decisions on a weed‑control bid to April 22 at 11 a.m.

The board voted to approve the grant application identified in the meeting as Community Project Funding grant agreement number B-24-CP-MT-1306 for work on Ricketts Road. A commissioner moved that the application be approved and executed by the road and bridge supervisor, John Horat. Two participants identified in the record as Greg and Jeff voiced “aye,” and the presiding member said “I vote aye”; the chair declared the motion carried.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding and lease from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks covering an approximately 4.99‑acre parcel used for the county’s rifle/gun range near Whitaker. The lease was described in the meeting as a 30‑year agreement that began last August; the board moved, seconded and the motion carried after “aye” votes were recorded. Commissioners asked that an original be recorded and exchanged among staff before leaving the dais.

On county finance matters, the board considered a request from the Right to Farm and Ranch board to pay its secretary through a county fund in lieu of mileage payments. The staff calculation presented to the board showed payment of $79.80 for five members’ monthly meetings (rounded to $80 if the board meets once a month). Commissioners moved and seconded to approve execution of the financial adjustments to create the new account and to coordinate with the finance office. The meeting transcript does not record a roll‑call vote for that motion.

The board also handled a procedural item for the weed control department. Staff reported that one bid had been inadvertently missed during bid compilation for the “Bear Salmon Prospect Elkhorn Rushelton” (transcript spelling) weed‑control project; the board voted to continue discussion and any possible award to Tuesday, April 22 at 11 a.m., and to include a scheduled bid opening at that time. The motion to continue was moved, seconded and carried.

No ordinances or county code changes were presented for final adoption at the meeting. After the items above the board adjourned.