 County Budget Must Tiptoe Around Inflation Elephant
Last week in talking about the budget County Director of Finance Kevan Bryan spent significant time talking about “an 800-pound gorilla that we can do little to control” – inflation.
County Elected Officials Receive 4% Increase in Pay
The Base Salary for elected officials in Yellowstone County will be increased four percent, following the approval of County Commissioners on Tuesday at the recommendation made by the Yellowstone County Compensation Board. Base salary for county elected officials in FY 2022-23 will be $78,084.76.
Fire Restrictions Go into Effect on July 1
Yellowstone County will adopt fire restrictions that will go into effect on July 1, even though the county has received seven inches of rain since the beginning of May and the countryside has never looked so green. But all that green is the rapid growth of a lot of vegetation, which once it starts drying […]
Heights Water District Soap Opera Continues; Pam Ellis Voted off Board, County Attorney Calls Vote Illegal
Three members of the Heights County Water District Board unanimously voted Board Member Pam Ellis off the board with a vote of no-confidence, last Wednesday. Whether they have the authority to do so is a point of contention. Ellis was appointed to the board by Yellowstone County Commissioners and the County does not agree the […]
 500-Year Flood Rages along Yellowstone
The Yellowstone River drainage is experiencing a 500-year flood event. “We have never seen anything like this before,” said a Carbon County official. Notices flew out across Yellowstone County, late Tuesday, that the Yellowstone River was expected to crest at Billings at 15.1 feet by 7 pm. With local folks watching the water come at […]
Two Water Board Members Resign
Two members of the Heights County Water District Board have submitted resignations. Jeff Engel, the City of Billings’ appointed representative to the board, submitted his resignation to the City, according to City of Billings Administrator Chris Kukulski.
State Law Requires Changes in Authority over County Health Actions
Changes are necessary to the collaborative agreement that is the structural foundation of RiverStone Health, which is also the City County Health Department.
Lockwood Irrigation District Gets Grant while Construction Causes Flooding Worry
Lockwood Irrigation has been informed that they are being awarded a $35,000 ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) grant, according to Carl Peters, Irrigation District Manager. The grant falls short of the $400,000 requested, said Peters, which means that the district may not be able to go forward with their project. The District is also dealing […]
Re-vote on Marijuana Sales In County, a Real Head-scratcher
Popping up all across the county are campaign signs urging voters to vote, for or to vote against, overturning Yellowstone County’s law which legalizes the recreational sale of marijuana throughout the county.
New Lockwood Clinic Opens
A committee of the Lockwood School Board recommended increasing Superintendent Tobin Novasio’s salary 6 percent for the 2022-23 school year, which was unanimously approved by the board.