January 30, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Commissioner Pancratz. Commissioner Goffena and Commissioner Turley were present.
Norman Trent and Samantha Nicks were also present.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Goffena made the motion to approve the agenda for the day. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Turley made the motion to approve January 23, 2026 minutes as written. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Norma Trent joined the meeting.
Smantha Nicks joined the meeting.
All Commissioner attended a Musselshell County Senior Services (MCSS) meeting January 28, 2026 to go over the budget.
Commissioner Turley visited with Amber Martinsen with Catalyst for Change regarding applications for the Community health Worker (CHW) position.
Commissioner Turley Refuse meeting on January 27, 2026.
Commissioner Goffena attended a Zoom meeting with The Montana Opioid Application Trust Board (MOAT)on Tuesday January 27, 2026 but there was no quorum.
All Commissioners had a Wier Building developer meeting on Wednesday January 28, 2026 and met with Theresa Doumit.
Commissioner Goffena and Commissioner Turley attended a Tree Workshop put on by MSU Extension on Wednesday January 28, 2026
Public Comment:
Samantha Nicks met with the Commissioners regarding a disturbing visit to the Refuse that resulted in the Police being called. The matter is being investigated by an outside source.
End of Public Comment.
Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign the Relief Letter to the DNRC for the Musselshell County, Melstone Water and Wastewater System Improvements-Request for Relief from ARPA Grant Agreement Requirements. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Turley made the motion to sign Reimbursement Request Number 1 for the Melstone Water and Wastewater Improvements. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried
Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign the Grant Agreement Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division for $20, 530.00 submitted by KLJ Engineering. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Turley made the motion to sign the Letter of Support for the MGIA Grant Application- Musselshell County E-911 GIS Modernization & Addressing Project. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign Resolution 2026-8 for Several Budget Amendments. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Gordon Kessler met with the Commissioners to go over different Employee Medical Insurance. They will meet again on February 20, 2026.
County Accounting Specialist (CAS) Marchall has been working with GreatWest on the Melstone Water Project.
County Agent Cooley gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. The Tree Workshop went well, and they will probably do it yearly. They are working with the Fair Board on articles and policies and rental rates.
There was a meeting in Judge Larsen’s Courtroom regarding a $2,500.00 Court Security Matching Grant for Courthouse Security Improvements. Judge Larsen, Secretary Tabith Worley, Clerk of Court Halverson, Clerk Brainard, DES Director Russell, Sheriff Lesnik, Under Sheriff Bednar, Jeremy House, County Attorney Todd-Rogers, Norma Trent and all Commissioners were present. Security issues and areas for safety improvement were discussed and identified. The State Judicial Safety Committee must approve our plan to move forward. DES Director Russell made the motion to nominate Judge Larsen as the Chairman of the Committee. Several members seconded the motion. Clerk of Court Halverson nominated Clerk Tabitha Worley as Secretary of the Committee. Several members seconded the motion. Motions carried. DES Coordinator Russell made the motion to adjourn. Under Sheriff Bednar seconded the motion. Motion carried.
DES Director Russell submitted a written report of the duties last week to the Commissioners. For the week of January 23, 2026: There were, 31 office visits, 26 phone calls, 3 burn permits issued or renewed, 5 addressing activities, 4 calls for service = Bear Road, 87 South-wildland fire, 16 Grassland Way structure fire and investigation, 7 meetings= Commissioners, Culvert Project RFI, Cub Scout(grant sponsor), Planning/DES, GIS Grant coordination, BLM COORDINATION-Discussion of acquisition of a $138,000 engine and equipment package at no cost to the County, BLM Fire mitigation to clear County rights-of-way.
County Attorney Todd-Rogers met with the Commissioners to let them know she will be purchasing a new program for her office called Guardify and a new web cam.
Connor Shaw and Christopher Hayden with Southwestern Montana Insurance Center, LLC met with the Commissioners to discuss employee medical coverage. After getting information from the County they will get us a quote.
Public Comment:
In error, the public comment below was not recorded for the YouTube Channel.
Montey Sealy visited with the Commissioners to ask how the Middle Musselshell Water District plans to get water to the Musselshell Airport. (Water connection to the airport will not be covered by the grant the District received because it is not a residence.) The airport will receive the water through the main line from Golf Course. Mr. Sealey told the Commissioners that Melstone should have their water by the end of March 2026.
Jim Vivorito EMS for Musselshell County, met with the Commissioners regarding Resolution 2026-7 up for public notice on the agenda this week and next week. To him as a person and as a paramedic the resolution does not follow the culture of EMS. To care for those in need.
End of public comment.
There being no further business Commissioner Goffena made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.