Andersson Named GM for Water District; Board Fires Benefits Vendor
The Heights County Water District Board (CWDB) has offered the position of General Manager to Allan “Bo” Andersson of Cambridge, New York. At their regular monthly meeting last Wednesday, the board voted unanimously to offer Andersson a contract. CWDB President Doug Kary said that Andersson received the highest score in the board’s interviews and evaluations […]
County Responds to City’s Offer On Temporary Holding Facility
In advancing the agreement between the city and the county in the building of a short-term holding facility (STHF), the County Commissioners responded this week to the Billings City Council’s offer in February to contribute a total of $2 million to the cost. The temporary holding facility will be built to hold inmates for only […]
Signal Peak Closure Would Mean Loss of 260 Jobs
Signal Peak Coal Mine near Roundup is “in jeopardy”, President and CEO of Signal Peak, Parker Phipps, told Yellowstone County Commissioners last week. And, if it is in jeopardy, so are the jobs of its 260 workers – two thirds of which live in Yellowstone County. And, so are the approximately $211 million in taxes […]
Governor Extends Deadline for Property Tax Relief Programs
Montana property taxpayers have been granted an extension, to June 1, in the deadline to apply for two property tax relief programs. Governor Greg Gianforte said he is extending the deadline to give Montanans with a substantial hardship time to apply for relief. The extension applies to the Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) and the Montana Disabled Veterans […]
Ellis to Remain on County Water District Board Following Court Decision that Board Lacked Authority to Remove Her
Following a closed session of the County Water District board, last Wednesday, Board President Doug Kary announced that the board had unanimously agreed to accept a settlement offer from Pam Ellis and Yellowstone County. The County Water District accepted the defendants’ offer that the district pay for $9500 of the defendants’ legal costs and to […]
Despite Opposition, Commissioners Approve Laurel Growth Policy
On Tuesday, Yellowstone County Commissioners gave their stamp of approval to the Growth Policy developed by the City of Laurel. The public hearing drew comments from a number of citizens opposed to its adoption, believing that it advances the construction of the natural gas power generator being built near the CHS Refinery. Kurt Markegard, Laurel […]
UPDATE: Heights Water Board Rejects All Applications to Replace Drager on Board
A quorum of the Heights County Water District Board held a special meeting on Tuesday, March 26, with the intent of interviewing candidates who had applied to fill the position of Laura Drager, who resigned, on March 20, in order to apply for the position of General Manager. At the Tuesday meeting the board cancelled […]
State Proposes Adding 3 Judges to 13th District Court
The Montana Judicial System and Yellowstone County officials are organizing an effort to ask the next Montana State Legislature to fund three additional District Court Judges for Yellowstone County. Yellowstone County’s 13th Judicial District Court has the highest case load in the state by a wide margin, according to a recent survey, which concluded that […]
Engineers Discuss Issues with County Water District
Three representatives from Interstate Engineering were guests at the Heights County Water Board work session, last Wednesday morning. In an over view of what the engineering company does for the water district a wide range of subjects were discussed, including the extent pipes must be replaced, progress of the two PERS (Preliminary Engineering Reports), status […]
Two Candidates Recommended for Lockwood Superintendent Position
The names of four applicants for the position of Superintendent at Lockwood School will be moved forward to the Board of Trustees at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 12. The applicants are among nine applications that the District received in their quest to find a new Superintendent. Serving as Lockwood’s Interim Superintendent, Assistant […]