Commissioners adopt Lincoln County DUI Task Force plan and $17,220 budget

Lincoln County commissioners voted to accept the annual plan and $17,220 budget for the county DUI Task Force.

Cindy Filler, the DUI Task Force coordinator, presented the plan and supporting data compiled through 2023. She told commissioners that Montana Highway Patrol data showed 2,366 citations in 2023 related to DUI and that submitted blood samples had an average alcohol level of 0.182; she noted the highest reported sample was 0.565. "That is actually 2.275 times the limit," she said referring to the 0.182 average compared with the legal limit.

Filler explained that task-force funding comes from reinstatement fees tied to DUI license suspensions; Lincoln County has accumulated $29,778.28 in task-force funds and historically receives between $7,000 and $10,000 annually. The proposed 2026 task-force budget of $17,220 was presented; unused amounts roll back into the accumulated balance.

Commissioners asked questions about lab testing panels, district-court data gaps and how aggravated DUIs are processed and transferred to district court. The board moved, seconded and approved the plan and budget by voice vote. Filler asked for signatures so the plan can be submitted to the state.

Next steps: County will sign the plan and submit it to the state for approval; the task force will continue to request district-court data to improve future reporting.