Pondera County names outside prosecutors for 2025–26 term

The Pondera County Board of Commissioners adopted a series of resolutions on May 7 appointing outside county attorneys to serve as special deputy Pondera County Attorneys through May 1, 2026.

As recorded in the minutes, Cut Bank City Attorney Whitney Bugni was appointed under Resolution No. 19 after a motion by Commissioner Zane Drishinski and a second by Commissioner Thomas Kuka; the board adopted the resolution 3–0. The terms specify no fee will be charged for attorney time, but mileage will be reimbursed at $0.70 per mile and usual prosecution-related costs (witness fees, jury costs) remain the county’s responsibility.

The board then adopted Resolution No. 20 to appoint Toole County Attorney Merle Raph as a special deputy for the same period and financial terms; that resolution also passed on a 3–0 vote. Under Resolution No. 21, the board appointed Teton County Attorney Joe Coble and Deputy Teton County Attorney Jennifer Stutz as special deputies, again with mileage reimbursement and no fee for attorney time; that resolution passed 3–0.

The minutes state these appointments were made at the request of the Pondera County Attorney, citing the need for assistance during absences, training, or conflicts of interest and referencing Montana statutory authority for employing special counsel. The appointments give the county the option of outside prosecutorial resources for matters pending in the Ninth Judicial District Court and the Pondera County Justice Court.

No hourly fee was specified for attorney time in any of the resolutions; the county will pay travel mileage and standard prosecution expenses. The minutes do not record discussion of alternatives, objections, or a projected workload for the special deputies. The resolutions took effect on adoption.

The board adjourned other business after the appointments and continued with routine agenda items later in May.