Broadwater County Commission approves plats, family transfer and claims; declares snowplow surplus and tables sale to Townsend

The Broadwater County Commission handled several formal actions March 5, voting to approve two land‑use filings, approve a family transfer exemption, declare surplus property and approve multiple claim batches. Below is a summary of each formal action taken at the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Declaration of surplus property: The commission adopted a resolution declaring a 1985 GMC top‑kick snowplow owned by Broadwater County to be surplus property. The resolution cites "Montana code annotated 7‑8‑22‑11" in the staff reading and describes the truck as a 1985 GMC with approximately 39,000 miles. Public Works Director TJ Gravely told commissioners the truck is "vintage" and that the county had purchased two other plows from Lewis and Clark County better suited for frame mounting on gravel roads. The motion to declare the truck surplus passed by voice vote.

- Resolution of intent for sale to the City of Townsend: Commissioners considered a separate resolution expressing intent to sell county personal property (the snowplow) to the City of Townsend. Gravely reported the Townsend City Council tabled its decision at its meeting and asked the county to hold action on the sale. The commission moved to table the county's resolution of intent to sell; the motion to table passed by voice vote.

- Amended Lot 44, Wheatland Meadows — final plat approval: Community Development Director Nicole Brown presented staff findings and conditions of approval for an amended Lot 44 (Wheatland Meadows) final plat (Section 9, Township 2 North, Range 1 East). Brown said the plat included required 20‑foot utility easements, documentation of paid taxes and a platting certificate showing the owner of record. After staff presentation the commission voted to approve final plat approval; the motion passed by voice vote.

- Mostad family transfer exemption: The commission approved a family transfer exemption request for a property owned by Joshua Mostad. Brown's staff report summarized the parcel location (Mostad Drive, Section 5, Township 6 North, Range 2 East), explained sanitation and DEQ review requirements when parcels drop below 20 acres and described required access and easement adjustments. The applicant's representative, Deneen Mostad, and owner Scott Mostad spoke in support. The commission voted to approve the family transfer exemption; the motion passed by voice vote. Brown noted the deadline for commission action is March 19, 2025, and that DEQ approval will be required for sanitation exemptions because both resulting parcels will be under 20 acres.

- Weaver boundary relocation exemption: The commission approved a boundary relocation exemption requested by Jacob Weaver to place an existing cemetery lot and a church on the same parcel. Brown's report explained both parcels are under existing county review and that the action would not create additional home sites; environmental health had addressed sanitation questions regarding an outhouse on site. The commission voted to approve the boundary relocation exemption by voice vote.

- Claims approved: The commission approved multiple claims batches during the meeting. Each batch was moved and seconded at the meeting and approved by voice vote. The amounts announced on the record were $14,134.76; $22,540.75; $13,466.62; $72,535.98; and $38,253.56. Commissioners voted to approve each batch in turn.

What the actions mean

The surplus declaration clears the 1985 GMC snowplow for sale or disposal under county procedures; the sale itself will not proceed until the county and the City of Townsend complete any separate actions. The land‑use approvals finalize the county's review of the Wheatland Meadows amended plat, the Mostad family transfer exemption and the Weaver boundary relocation, subject to usual recordation and any DEQ or DNRC requirements cited in staff reports.

No roll‑call tallies were recorded in the minutes; actions were taken by voice vote and announced as "motion passes" on the record. Commissioners and staff said they would provide signed paper copies of plats and follow up with required administrative steps for recording and any required external approvals.

Speakers and presenters

Speakers on items in this roundup included Public Works Director TJ Gravely; Community Development Director Nicole Brown; property owners Scott and Deneen Mostad; landowner Jacob Weaver; and Deputy County Attorney Caitlin Minor who advised on legal questions.

Additional procedural notes

- Brown told the commission she would leave final plat paperwork in commissioners' offices for signature following the Wheatland Meadows approval. - For the Mostad transfer, Brown stated that the submission will require DEQ approval for sanitation exemptions because resulting parcels will be less than 20 acres.

The commission adjourned after completing claims and routine business.