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Broadwater County approves swap of two small Toston parcels with resident
Summary
Broadwater County commissioners approved a resolution authorizing an exchange of two small parcels in Toston between the county and resident Aaron Christiansen after a public hearing; appraisals showed equal value and a survey and legal work remain before the exchange is finalized.
Broadwater County commissioners on July 30 approved a resolution authorizing an exchange of county-owned land in the townsite of Toston for a parcel owned by resident Aaron Christiansen.
County staff read the resolution into the record, citing Montana Code Annotated provisions that allow counties to exchange real property when it is in the public interest. The swap would trade the northerly 25-by-50-foot portion of Lot 13, Block 7, owned by Broadwater County, for the southerly 20-by-62.5-foot portion of Lot 12, Block 7, owned by Aaron Lee Christiansen. County staff said appraisals valued each parcel at $5,625.
The county’s staff explained the purpose of the exchange: to better accommodate a well in relation to existing sanitation and septic infrastructure. “The appraisal both came in at $5,625 worth of value for the two pieces of property,” a staff member said during the public hearing. Aaron Christiansen, who attended and spelled his name into the record, said, “I’m glad we were able to do this.”
Commissioners and staff noted that approval of the resolution does not complete the exchange. The county must still obtain surveys, complete a formal boundary location process, and record necessary legal instruments. “If this is approved today, this does not complete the exchange,” county staff said; the survey and final legal steps will follow.
A motion to approve the resolution was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners stated that Mr. Christiansen will cover the survey cost. “This is not costing the county anything. Aaron will have to pay for the survey,” one commissioner said.
Next steps include county-authorized appraisals and surveys, preparation and review of legal instruments by the county attorney, and the chair’s execution of documents on the county’s behalf.
