Commission approves construction bid, contracts, HR changes and multiple plats; several administrative items passed by voice vote

The Flathead County Board of Commissioners approved a series of administrative and land-use actions by voice vote at its regular meeting on Jan. 8, 2025, including a construction contract award, a design agreement for a new justice center, a CIP amendment, HR staffing changes in the sheriff’s detention unit, two final plats, a zone change and approval of a preliminary subdivision.

The most immediate approvals were the award of the Blankenship Erosion Control Project to Olympus Technical Services of Helena for $529,345.70 and the county’s signature of an Elevatus Architectural agreement for programming and conceptual design of a new justice center and adult detention center for $128,000. Commissioners approved a CIP amendment to buy a heavy-duty toolbox for the Weed and Parks mechanical shop for $11,000.

The board also approved HR transmittals to convert five part-time detention officer positions to full-time positions and to add a detention sergeant (support services) job description; commissioners were told the change reflects hours already being worked by the existing officers and that DOC contract revenue has helped offset the cost. The board adopted Resolution No. 2628 to increase membership of the Tax Appeal Board from three to five members to reduce quorum risks.

On land-use matters commissioners granted final plat approval for Rufus Meadows & Oppenland and Mountain View Meadows, approved a final resolution to rezone two parcels (Egbert and Griffith) in the Evergreen Zoning District from R-2 (one-family limited residential) to B-2/EEO (general business with Evergreen Enterprise Overlay), and approved a preliminary plat for All View subdivision (five residential lots on North Summers Road).

All votes were recorded as voice votes with commissioners saying “Aye,” and minutes show motions carried; no roll-call tallies with named votes were recorded in the transcript. The board recessed several times during the meeting for brief breaks and monthly department presentations.

Votes at a glance

- Blankenship Erosion Control Project — motion to award contract to Olympus Technical Services (Helena) for $529,345.70; outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion moved and seconded; motion carries.

- Elevatus Architectural agreement — document for signature to provide programming and conceptual design for new justice center/adult detention center; contract value $128,000; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- CIP amendment: heavy-duty toolbox for Weed & Parks mechanical shop — $11,000 from existing Weed CIP cash balance; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- HR transmittal: convert five part-time detention officers to full time — commissioners approved the new full-time positions; outcome: approved (voice vote). County staff said the change formalizes hours already being worked and estimated an annualized cost of about $217,000 to reflect full staffing.

- HR transmittal: new detention sergeant (support services) job description — outcome: approved (voice vote). The board was told the cost was included in the overall change for the five positions.

- Resolution No. 2628: Tax Appeal Board membership increase from 3 to 5 — outcome: approved (voice vote). County legal review reported complete.

- Final plat: Rufus Meadows & Oppenland (three residential lots near Martin City) — outcome: approved (voice vote). Preliminary approval had been granted April 25, 2024, subject to conditions.

- Final plat: Mountain View Meadows (four residential lots near Kalispell) — outcome: approved (voice vote). Preliminary approval had been granted Feb. 6, 2024, subject to conditions.

- Final resolution No. 797IV: Egbert & Griffith zone change (Evergreen Zoning District) — change from R-2 to B-2/EEO for properties at 8 and 12 W. Cottonwood Drive near Kalispell; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Preliminary plat: All View subdivision (five-lot residential subdivision at 486 & 494 North Summers Road) — outcome: approved (voice vote). County staff read 18 findings of fact and conditions during the hearing.

How the board voted: For most items the transcript records motions, a second and a voice vote of “Aye”; no roll-call vote tallies or individual yes/no votes were read into the record in the transcript.

Background and context

County staff said bids for the Blankenship project were evaluated by KLJ and recommended Olympus as the low, responsive bidder. The Elevatus agreement was presented as the initial conceptual phase; fees paid under the contract will be credited to later project contracts. The detention staffing changes were described by sheriff’s office staff as a formalization of hours already being worked and intended to reduce overtime and improve shift stability.

Land-use items were presented by Flathead County Planning and Zoning staff with legal descriptions and references to required conditions (drainage, weed control, health-department review, approach permits and pedestrian easement requirements).

Procedural notes

All formal motions listed above were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote during the meeting. When commissioners asked for further discussion, staff and other presenters answered questions on budget sources, engineering review or next steps for final plat recordings. Commissioners recessed several times during the agenda for department reports and a short break.

Ending

Minutes and finalized contracts will be returned to county files; staff indicated some items will require follow-up with state agencies (for example, DEQ/health department review for new subdivisions and DNRC/SRF closeout on ARPA-funded projects discussed later in the meeting).