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County approves $264,218.84 in claims, adopts fee and posting resolutions; CFO posting prompts audit request
Summary
The commission authorized payment of $264,218.84 in claims including a sizable firehall ventilation project, adopted resolutions setting vacant-structure fees and building permit fees for 2026, and heard a commissioner request for a limited forensic audit after a CFO job posting appeared on the county website.
Anaconda Deer Lodge County commissioners authorized payment of claims totaling $264,218.84 at their Jan. 6 meeting and approved three resolutions affecting fees and public notices.
The motion to authorize payment of claims numbered 148732 through 148810 carried 5-0. Chair Mike Beausoleil and CEO Bill Everett summarized three large claims that together accounted for $117,800 of the batch: a Fire Department ventilation system claimed at $59,975; Metcalf Center mill work for $34,000; and Search and Rescue equipment at $23,918. Everett added that electrical work through Peterson Electric of roughly $18,000 was expected, bringing the firehall ventilation project cost closer to $80,000. "I went down there last week and it's pretty nice," Everett said of the new ventilation work.
The commission adopted Resolution No. 26-01, which sets registration and inspection fees for Ordinance No. 256 (vacant registry and vacant structure registration), and Resolution No. 26-02, which adopts the 2026 building permit fee schedule. Commissioner Paul Smith noted that the county had cut building permit fees about seven years ago and that the county continues to operate with low fees. Both resolutions passed 5-0.
Commissioners also adopted Resolution No. 26-03 establishing official locations for posting public notices. Resident Janice Hagen-Delaney requested the Metcalf Center be added as a posting location to better reach elderly residents; the matter was noted but the resolution passed 5-0.
Under miscellaneous business, Commissioner Ed Beaudette reported a Chief Financial Officer job posting that appeared on the county website and said earlier postings had been described as mistakes. Given the long tenure of the outgoing CFO, Beaudette said he again requests a limited forensic audit of the county's books so the incoming finance officer would inherit a clearly reviewed set of records. No motion or vote on an audit occurred at the meeting.
Other approved operational items included a contract for a Glover Cabin condition assessment and authorization to advertise for bids on the Georgetown Lake Road asphalt overlay project.
