Fallon County Commission approves resolutions, signs off on claims and hears updates on roads, SMART, public health and county services

Fallon County commissioners approved several routine and policy measures and heard department updates at their public meeting. Actions included adopting a cattle-guard policy resolution, a resolution supporting Mako, approving a carpet-tile quote for justice court offices and signing off on end-of-month claims and payroll vouchers. Commissioners also received detailed reports on road maintenance and equipment needs, SMART (community development) activities, public-health grant opportunities, Council on Aging transportation options, EMS operations and museum and fairground programming.

The commission unanimously approved a county cattle-guard policy intended to standardize when guards will be installed on county roads; the motion carried with one commissioner absent. A separate resolution expressing county support for Mako also passed. Commissioners approved a $7,039 carpet-tile installation for the justice court after staff described the tileoptionas easier to maintain and repair than rolled carpet. The board approved January end-of-month claims of $331,327.36 and payroll vouchers totaling $681,144.25; both motions passed with commissioners voting aye and one commissioner absent.

Why it matters: The votes lock in short-term budget and facilities decisions (carpeting, payment of claims) and set a formal standard for county road infrastructure (cattle guards) that will affect future work orders and roadside maintenance. The staff updates that followed the votes provide context about how county operations and county-funded nonprofits plan to use limited funds and staff time.

Roads and fleet: County road staff reported winter storm response and localized snow and "pillow drift" conditions that have delayed graveling. Crews plan to assess Sunset Trail at a residentrequest to determine whether graveling is needed. Staff discussed the countyfleettire situation: multiple rigs and ambulances require tires, and the shop is testing larger tire machines to avoid time-consuming manual mounting. Staff also reviewed several county vehicles that are no longer used; commissioners discussed selling older vans and a suburban via online auction (Facebook) and keeping a spare tire where needed.

SMART and community development: Von Zhenka of SMART presented an annual impact summary and said SMARThas canceled an MOU with AMITA and replaced it with a fee-for-service schedule. SMART reported positive budget results and highlighted several projects: launching a preliminary architecture review (PAR) for a proposed movie-theater/community performance space; preparing should a third round of state tourism pilot funding become available; pursuing a T-Mobile community grant to support a virtual-reality dinosaur exhibit; and expanding low-cost marketing services for local businesses.

Public health and grants: County public-health staff reported influenza activity and said scholarships are available for an April conference in Helena. Staff described a forthcoming behavioral-health pilot grant from DPHHS (approximately $250,000 over two years) and requested commissioner approval to apply if released; commissioners instructed staff to bring the application to the work session or agenda when the solicitation opens. Public health is also pursuing a "sun bus" dermatology clinic visit (cost-sharing with tobacco funds) and said federal COVID-related funds have been extended through June 2027.

Council on Aging and transit: Council on Aging staff sought to transfer a 2010 Dodge used for transportation into their fleet and said the state will accept a VIN and paperwork to add a vehicle to the program. Staff said they do not intend to apply this year for a replacement bus because the county share (about $17,000) would need to be budgeted; they will consider the purchase in the next fiscal year.

EMS and billing: EMS reported a busy January and new radio batteries and chargers for ambulances. EMS staff said new billing services (Solstone, Missoula) have improved claims processing and collections; the vendor takes an 8% fee and handles documentation and denials. Staff also noted vehicle and equipment issues and training plans for dispatch and first responders.

Museum, fairgrounds and extension: Museum staff reported inventory work (840 donors logged) and outreach with schools. Fairgrounds staff are selling event tickets and preparing events and sign quotes. The county extension and 4-H office reported a busy season of youth programming, shooting sports, recruitment and a countywide programming calendar; extension staff also discussed water-sampling and nitrate testing for producers.

Shooting range and facilities: Range managers sought funding to replace indoor range media; they also identified maintenance needs for berms, gate key fobs and electrical protection for target power boxes. Hospital facilities reported building- and mechanical-system maintenance work including a planned evaluation and replacement of an aging glycol pump and continued follow-up on a planned elevator and door upgrades for the clinic building; commissioners discussed staging those projects against available one-time county funds.

Ending note: Commissioners directed staff to return follow-up materials (updated maps for a golf-course irrigation pre-application, final DEQ plans, and the Council on Aging grant paperwork when it opens). The board recessed and scheduled additional work-session review as needed.

Votes at a glance - Resolution adopting Fallon County Cattle Guard Policy (Res. 11-45): approved (motion carried; ayes recorded; one commissioner absent). Provenance: transcript 01:34:14s=9014.784e=9041.385. - Resolution to support Mako (commission resolution): approved (motion carried; ayes recorded; one commissioner absent). Provenance: transcript s=9063.04 e=9090.445. - Justice court carpet-tile quote, $7,039: approved (motion carried; ayes recorded; one commissioner absent). Provenance: transcript s=9150.045 e=9176.475. - End-of-month claims (January), $331,327.36: approved. Provenance: transcript s=9302.75 e=9324.756. - Payroll vouchers (combined): $681,144.25: approved. Provenance: transcript s=9369.574 e=9378.694.