Health department reports shelter strain, permitting workload and a new certified reviewer

Kathy, speaking for the Lincoln County Health Department, gave a multi-topic update on department activity and staffing.

She introduced new environmental-health staff Morgan Castillia, noting Castillia is in her third week and “replaced Dustin Web doing food and air quality primarily.” On animal services the department currently has 13 dogs and 17 cats in the shelter; Kathy said 13 of the 17 cats are kittens and the office is working with the Humane Society in Kalispell for spay/neuter and transfers. On permitting, the health department reported 165 septic permit applications so far in 2025 with 146 permits issued (136 new systems, 23 replacements, six affidavits/declarations). Kathy said 80 of the applications were in Eureka, 53 in Libby and 32 in Troy and that staff have entered roughly 20% of the county’s ~10,000 permits into the online system.

Kathy also told the board that county staff member Robin Blumberg “has passed his certified reviewer exam at the state” and that the county is negotiating a contract with DEQ to perform reviews locally, a change officials said will generate revenue and speed service. The department described a new process for litter and community-decay violations (17 properties currently with violations, five with compliance plans due Aug. 31, two in court, two referred to the sheriff’s office, and several owners located via probate). Board members asked about the department’s 30/60-day compliance timeline; Kathy said first notices allow 30 days, with a possible 30-day extension if substantial progress is shown.