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Council tables floodplain survey approval after landowner threatens legal action, asks county to weigh in
Summary
Council deferred approval of an $18,400 survey/compaction verification for two lots with uncertified fill, citing past county handling of floodplain permits and a property owner’s threat of litigation; council asked staff to consult county commissioners before proceeding.
The Choteau City Council on Aug. 20 voted to table approval of a third‑party engineering contract to perform compaction testing and elevation verification on two lots where uncertified fill had been placed.
Staff explained the lots were signed off when Teton County administered floodplain permitting for the city, but the required FEMA notifications or documentation were not completed, leaving possible permit shortfalls. One landowner has threatened legal action over the issue.
The council discussed whether the county or the city should bear responsibility for the paperwork or potential legal exposure. Staff and council members recommended starting with a civil discussion with county officials rather than immediate legal escalation. The council’s motion to table the item passed by voice vote; the chair and staff will contact county commissioners to request the issue be placed on the county commission agenda and will coordinate the next steps.
Council members identified the two properties by their parcel descriptions as the Ewing lot in Baker Subdivision and a lot off 7th (identified in the packet as Dylan Isaacson’s property) and asked staff to begin informal outreach to county officials before authorizing the engineering work.
