Daniels County swears in new commissioner and adopts elected-official pay resolution

The Daniels County Board of Commissioners on July 15 administered the oath of office to Michael Scanlan and then approved a compensation resolution for elected officials. Scanlan stood before the board and affirmed the oath to "support, protect and defend" the constitutions of the United States and Montana, as the board welcomed him to the bench.

After a brief review of the salary committee's recommendation, the board voted to adopt Resolution 2024-13. Christy, a county staff member who presented the paperwork, said the resolution reflects the committee's recommended daily rate and the mechanics for calculating meeting pay and out-of-town travel reimbursement. "The salary Compensation Board recommended the $125," she said while walking through the line items that produce per-diem and meeting pay figures. Commissioners moved, seconded and recorded an affirmative voice vote; the chairman signed the resolution.

The action formalizes the county's approach to elected-official compensation for the coming year, including the county's existing health-insurance arrangements and the per-meeting payment calculation used when commissioners attend multiple meetings. The board did not change the core health‑insurance plan at the session; staff noted prescription out-of-pocket costs have risen and that elected officials receive single-coverage insurance under the current plan.

The board recessed for scheduled items following the votes and continued into afternoon business, including construction and budget discussions. The resolution and the oath were recorded in the meeting minutes and will be placed in the county's resolution book.