REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Tuesday March 10, 2026

 

            PRESENT:  Commissioner Morse, Chair; Commissioner Waters and White; Board Clerk Teri Reitz; Clerk and Recorder Jeff Martin.

            PLEDGE:  MOMENT OF SILENCE, Held.

            MINUTES – March 3, 2026.  Commissioner Waters made a MOTION to approve the Minutes, Commissioner White seconded.  Passed Unanimous.

            PUBLIC COMMENTS ON REGULAR, CONSENT AND FILED AGENDA ITEMS – Four people spoke in favor of the Resolution of Intent to Issue Bonds for Yellowstone County Detention Facility and the Resolution of Intent to Approve a Safety Mill Levy.  Hearing no other comments Commissioner Morse continued the Board Meeting.

            METRAPARK – Box Office Update.  Mr. Stoney Field, General Manager stated that Metra is in the middle of basketball tournament season.  Mr. David Roth, Box Office Manager stated that the new security manager is working on ingress and egress around MetraPark.  The VIP parking booth has been delivered and is slightly bigger than the old one.  We are still working on going out for bid for the merchandise build out in the Stillwater Room.  This would make a permanent merchandise room so there won’t be booths across the entire arena.  Fair booths are being replaced in front of the Expo Center. 

            COUNTY ATTORNEY – A.)  Resolution 26-20 of Intent to Issue Bonds for Yellowstone County Detention Facility and Setting the Public Hearing for Tuesday March 31, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 309.  Ms. Melissa Williams, Chief Deputy County Attorney stated that lots of comments have been received regarding the expansion of the Detention Facility.  You were originally looking at from our national team from A & E Justice Planners HDR the preferred option of $226,000,000.  We’ve studied that option extensively.  You have received some guarantees from DOC about some space that they are building.  And we also created a ton of court efficiencies with the arraignment court the dedicated probation and parole court and the revamp of CJCC and the addition of 2 additional judges.  And because of those changes, we feel that you can now scale back that request to the public to $178,000,000 to the next option down which will add 320 beds to the facility and will also shell space and provide support services for up to 1552 beds.  So, it is planning for the future with the addition of the beds, the shelter space and the addition of services.  You have both resolutions setting the public hearings because all 3 of you have expressed great interest in hearing from the public on this issue.  The public hearings will be held March 31, 2026.  Commissioner Waters made a MOTION to approve Resolution 26-20, Commissioner White seconded.  Passed Unanimous.  B.)  Resolution 26-21 of Intent to Approve a Public Safety Mill Levy and Setting the Public Hearing for Tuesday March 31, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Room 309.  Commissioner Waters made a MOTION to approve Resolution 26-21, Commissioner White seconded.  Passed Unanimous.  C.)  Resolution 26-17 of Intent to Grant Tax Abatement to CHS on Class Eight Property and Setting the Public Hearing for Tuesday March 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 309.  Mr. Steve Williams, Chief In-House Counsel stated that are 3 separate resolutions of intent on the agenda for tax abatement of Class Eight Property and these resolutions will set the public hearings.  At the public hearing you are required to grant the abatement the only decision you make is the amount of the abatement, which could be 80%, 90% or 100%.   Commissioner Waters made a MOTION to approve Resolution 26-17, Commissioner White seconded.  Passed Unanimous.  D.)  Resolution 26-18 of Intent to Grant Tax Abatement to Phillips 66 on Class Eight Property and Setting the Public Hearing for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 309.  Commissioner Waters made a MOTION to approve Resolution 26-18, Commissioner White seconded.  Passed Unanimous.  E.)  Resolution 26-19 of intent to Grant Tax Abatement to Par Montana, LLC on Class Eight Property and Setting the Public Hearing for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 309.  Commissioner Waters made a MOTION to approve Resolution 26-19, Commissioner White seconded.  Passed Unanimous.   

            CLAIMS – Batches 26-118, 26-119 and 26-120.  Commissioner White made a MOTION to approve the Claims, Commissioner Waters seconded.  Passed Unanimous.   

            CONSENT AGENDA – 1.  COMMISSIONERS – A.)  Board Appointment – Tyler Elkin to Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.  B.)  Board Openings – Updated List.  C.)  Letter of Support – Lockwood TEDD Community Project Funding Application.  2.  FINANCE – A.)  Notice of Award & Contract – Metra PA System – Impact Fire Services LLC.  B.)  Change Order #2 – Yellowstone Basin Construction – Cedar Hall Renovation.  C.)  Notice of Award – Insurance Agent/Brokerage Services RFQ.  D.)  Opioid Settlement Combined Participation Letter for the Six Remnant Defendants; (1) Associated Pharmacies, Inc. (and American Associated Pharmacies), (2) J M Smith Corporation.  (3) Morris and Dickson Co., LLC, (4) Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc. (5) North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc. and (6) United Natural Foods, Inc. (and SuperValu).  E.)  Change Order #4 – Contract Design – Ostlund Building Furniture.  3.  METRAPARK – A.)  Bond for Lost Warrant.  B.)  MetraPark Trust Check Log Feb 2026.  4.  PUBLIC WORKS – A.)  Notice of Award and Contract for Central Avenue & 48th Street West Intersection Improvements.  B.)  Contract with Sanbell – Field Analysis and Intersection Improvement Study.  C.)  Sanbell Task Order 14, Amendment 2, Professional Services Agreement.  D.)  Duck Creek Bridge Change Order 1.  5.  TREASURER – Updated Sundown Security Agreement.  6.  HUMAN RESOURCES – PERSONNEL ACTION REPORTS – Motor Vehicle – 1 Appointment; IT – 1 Appointment; Weed Department – 1 Appointment; Detention Facility – 1 Appointment, 1 Termination; Sheriff’s Office – 2 Terminations.

            FILE ITEMS – 1.  CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT – Checks and Disbursements for February 2026.  2.  COMMISSIONERS – A.)  Board Minutes – DUI Task Force February 2026.  B.)  Board Minutes – Tax Appeal Board 3/5/26.  3.  FINANCE – A.)  Final LATFC Annual Report and Federal Financial Report SF-425.  B.)  HGFA Contract – Extension Building Construction Admin.  Commissioner Waters made a MOTION to approve the Consent Agenda and place the File Items to file, Commissioner White seconded.  Passed Unanimous. 

            PUBLIC COMMENTS ON COUNTY BUSINESS – One citizen spoke about Western Sugar supposedly contaminating the Yellowstone River.  Hearing no other comments Commissioner Morse adjourned the meeting at 9:28 a.m.

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