Broadwater County commission approves sheriff mill levy ballot, updates subdivision fees and other measures

The Broadwater County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 5 approved a slate of resolutions and routine claims, voted to put a sheriff mill-levy question on the May 6 ballot and approved updates to subdivision review fees, while leaving a proposed purchase of two snowplow trucks for later consideration.

The most consequential actions were two related measures supporting the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office: the commission adopted a resolution allocating 34.4% of the county's floating property-tax mills to the sheriff's office for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, and approved a separate resolution authorizing a ballot question asking voters to authorize up to 39.93 mills for law enforcement, detention and dispatch services. Sheriff Nick Rausser said the ballot question would be placed on the May 6, 2025 mail ballot and that the proposed rate equals the amount approved by voters in 2020; Rausser said he intends to mill 20% less next year while retaining the authority to increase up to the approved maximum if needed.

Why it matters: The ballot authorization, if approved by voters, would create a permanent public-safety mill levy; Rausser said a permanent levy helps with recruiting and retaining staff and planning for patrol and detention services. The resolution includes sample tax impacts: an additional $53.91 per year on a $100,000 home, $161.72 on a $300,000 home and $323.43 on a $600,000 home, and directs the election administrator to follow MCA notice requirements.

The commission also approved these items: adoption of revised Broadwater County Subdivision Review Fees (with edits discussed in public meetings); appointment of attorneys from the Montana Department of Justice's Prosecution Services Bureau as special deputy county attorneys at no hourly cost to assist prosecuting two felony cases (State v. Krumenacker and State v. Larson); approval of the Broadwater County Board of Health bylaws with a clarified meeting schedule and administrative assistant duties; and approval of an appeal by property owners to reverse an earlier denial and permit a boundary relocation in the Springville area (the Heinemann boundary-relocation appeal).

Other business: The commission approved an airport hangar lease for McDonald Adventures LLC (Adam McDonald) for a 20-year term; accepted revised minutes for Jan. 15 and Jan. 29; and approved three sets of claims totaling $62,126.54 ($28,994.69; $11,130.34; $22,001.51). The board also adopted a resolution opposing proposed legislation that would limit or prohibit the Montana Association of Counties from advocating on behalf of its members, a measure county officials and the county attorney said would be costly and impair local governments' ability to coordinate representation in Helena.

On the purchase of two used snowplow trucks from Lewis and Clark County for $25,000 each, Public Works Director TJ Gravely described the trucks as a reasonable fit for county roads and mail/bus routes and said Lewis and Clark's board was proceeding through its surplus-public-comment process; commissioners asked that the item remain on the Feb. 19 agenda for possible action after Lewis and Clark completes its public-comment period. Gravely said his shop plans to offer the county's existing 1985 TopKick to the City of Townsend if the purchase proceeds; commissioners indicated they were comfortable using PILT funds for up to $25,000 of the purchase price, with the remainder from the road budget.

The meeting included several questions and clarifications from commissioners and staff about procedural details: deputy county attorney Caitlin Minor reviewed changes to form language in an airport lease; community development director Nicole Brown explained that the revised subdivision fee schedule is project-dependent and that many fees are applied "if applicable" depending on the proposed work; and county attorney Kevin Bratcher explained that outside prosecutors volunteered assistance for serious child-sex-assault cases, with trial-related costs (witness fees, transcripts, jury expenses) to be paid by the county.

Votes at a glance

- Airport hangar lease (McDonald Adventures LLC) ' Motion to approve 20-year hangar lease: APPROVED (voice vote). - Broadwater County Board of Health bylaws (edits to meeting time and administrative assistant language) ' APPROVED (voice vote). - Resolution: allocation of 34.4% of county floating mills to Broadwater County Sheriff's Office for FY26-FY30 ' APPROVED (voice vote). - Resolution: Broadwater County Sheriff mill-levy ballot (authorize up to 39.93 mills; mail ballot May 6, 2025) ' APPROVED (voice vote). - Resolution: appointment of special deputy county attorneys (assist prosecution of State v. Krumenacker and State v. Larson) ' APPROVED (voice vote). - Resolution: update Broadwater County subdivision review fee schedule (2025 amended schedule; edits noted) ' APPROVED (with edits; voice vote). - Heinemann boundary-relocation appeal (request to reverse Dec. 11 denial) ' APPROVED (commission vote). - Resolution: oppose legislation limiting or prohibiting Montana Association of Counties lobbying on behalf of its members ' APPROVED (voice vote). - Minutes (Jan. 15 and Jan. 29, 2025) ' APPROVED. - Claims (three sets: $28,994.69; $11,130.34; $22,001.51) ' APPROVED.

What commissioners said: Commissioners and staff emphasized the need for transparent public information about the sheriff levy (Sheriff Rausser said he plans public meetings, Facebook live sessions and a fact sheet), and several speakers urged that the county continue careful review of boundary relocations and family-transfer exemptions amid changing state law and subdivision patterns. Deputy County Attorney Caitlin Minor and County Attorney Kevin Bratcher urged precise written findings when the commission denies or conditions land-use applications so the record supports any future appeals.

Looking ahead: The Feb. 19 commission meeting was set as the likely next opportunity to consider the Lewis and Clark surplus-truck transfer; the sheriff plans additional public meetings and information to accompany the May ballot mailing. Commissioners said they will supply cleaned, signed copies of adopted resolutions and directed staff to post updates on the county website.

Ending: The meeting adjourned after routine claims and minutes were approved.