Granite County commissioners approve routine contracts, hear concerns about roads, rental-house water

The Granite County Board of Commissioners opened the July 14 meeting, approved prior minutes and moved through correspondence before taking several formal actions on contracts and grants. Commissioners approved a pre-buy propane contract, a bid to expand evidence storage in the sheriff’s facility, and accepted a victim-witness advocate grant that funds a 0.75 FTE through June 30, 2028.

Public commenters pressed the board on road safety and school-bus stop signage. Resident Frank Prince urged more warning signs on Airport Road where traffic speed has increased: “Maybe a few more of those signs up somewhere else also,” he said during public comment. Commissioners directed staff to investigate and, where necessary, contact the Montana Department of Transportation.

The meeting included a lengthy discussion of a county rental house whose water tests recommended ongoing arsenic monitoring. Commissioners noted the house’s recent income and expenses and discussed low-cost filtration options and a possible rent increase to cover repairs. One commissioner summarized the fiscal picture: revenue of $36,244 and expenditures $36,250 for the 2019–07/2026 period, indicating the property is not currently self‑sustaining.

Action items took place throughout the meeting. The board instructed staff to follow up with DEQ and county code staff on a suspected encroachment and unpermitted construction near Boulder Creek Road, and approved an easement allowing a Phillipsburg resident to run a buried service line across county right-of-way to connect to town water. The meeting adjourned after votes on those items and a Secure Rural Schools allocations decision.