Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cascade County environmental health staff shortage, new septic appeals law and raw-milk complaints complicate permitting
Summary
Environmental health staff reported a resignation that will cut septic permitting capacity, described a recent legislative change that creates an appeals process for septic permits, and said the department is tracking sales of raw milk and will follow up with the state Department of Livestock or county attorney if needed.
Rhonda, who presented the environmental health report to the Board of Health on May 7, said the department is handling a heavier workload in permitting and inspections and will be short-staffed after a sanitariansresignation.
Rhonda said permitting has slowed because of recent legislative changes that require additional nondegradation water testing and because many new properties are in difficult locations; she said, "We have about 36% of our routine inspections done up to date. That's 254 inspections so far this year." She told the board that a sanitarian, Colton, has given notice and his last day will be May 16, reducing the staff able to perform septic work.
Appeals process for septic permits: Rhonda said new legislation signed by the governor now requires an appeals process for septic permits; she said she is scheduling a meeting with the county attorney's office to discuss how that appeals process will work locally and to get legal guidance.
Raw milk complaints and enforcement: Rhonda said the department is tracking complaints about unattended raw milk sales from small, unmanned refrigerators where customers leave payment in a coffee can. She said face-to-face sales are allowed under the Montana Local Food Choice Act but that the current sales model may not meet the law's requirement for an "informed end consumer" and that the county has reached out to the Montana Department of Livestock for guidance. Rhonda said, if the Department of Livestock does not pursue enforcement, she will consult the county attorney's office about local options.
Other items: the department is preparing for the fair and reported it had completed 20 plan reviews and 254 inspections year to date; Rhonda said a contract for an HS GovTech migration has cleared legal review and is slated to appear on the county commission work session agenda. She also said the board will later consider language to grant certain authority to an environmental health technician; that item was tabled until the next meeting for further review.
Ending: Rhonda said she would post the open sanitarian position as soon as possible and work with the county attorney's office on the septic appeals process; the board will revisit technician authority at the next meeting.
