February 6, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Commissioner Pancratz. Commissioner Goffena and Commissioner Turley were present.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Turley made the motion to approve the agenda for the day. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Goffena made the motion to approve January 30, 2026, minutes as written. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Norma Trent joined the meeting.
Public Comment on Establishing a Flat Fee on Non- Emergency and Non- Transport Transfers Service by the Ambulance Service.
Commissioner Turley motioned to table, after attending the Hospital Board meeting. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried
Public comment:
Norman Trent told the Commissioners that the Musselshell County Council on Aging received $1700.00 for the Musselshell Unity Drive.
End of public comment.
Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign the 2026 – 2027 PCT RENEWAL SCHEDULED PROPERTY FORM Submitted by MACo. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Turley made the motion to table signing Certificate of Survey 2026-2= T-8-N, R- 26-E, Sec 18, Tract 1 & 2 submitted by WWC for Musselshell until the spoke to Jeremy Fadness from WWC this afternoon. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried. (after speaking with WWC the Commissioners signed the Certificate)
County Attorney Todd-Rogers joined the meeting.
The Commissioners signed a letter to the Musselshell County Council on Aging.
The Commissioners signed an HR letter.
Commissioner Pancratz discussed his phone call with Southwestern Montana Insurance Center LLC regarding medical insurance for County employees. They will talk to us more in-depth next renewal season.
Commissioner Pancratz also spoke with Jamie Larsen with Seitz insurance regarding Workers Compensation. They need to reestablish the Safety Program for the County. They need to have a “point person” for structure and reporting.
Commissioner Turley attended a Hospital Board meeting on Thursday February 5, 2026.
Commissioner Goffena and Commissioner Turley attended an Economic Seminar Tuesday February 3, 2026, in Billings where they discussed taxation with the University of Montana. The Department of Revenue, several County Commissioners and elected officials of the State were also present.
Wednesday February 4, 2026, all Commissioners attended the Weir Building development and funding. Then they met with the update from Theresa Doumitt.
Commissioner Pancratz went to the Middle Musselshell County Water District meeting on Thursday February 5, 2026. Stahly is almost done with the engineering, and they hope to have water to the residents in the district by December 2027.
CAS Marshall gave her weekly report to the Commissioners. She has been working with Melstone regarding their ARPA project tracking. There is a fraud survey that needs to be done for the auditor.
County Agent Cooley gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. There were 93 consultations in the Extension Office in the month of January. He is working on 4H taxes, genetic literature, The 4H Council is looking at not having project books for participants, but they will still have to have a record book. They are still looking for more educational opportunities for 4H.
Sheriff Lesnik gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. Jeremy House and Under Sheriff Jason Bednar were present. Under Sheriff Bednar was present to ask about the old courtesy car from the airport that isn’t working that is at Elite Towing? The Commissioner advised him to contact Kelly Gebhardt. Sheriff Lesnik reported an accident on Goulding Creek Road where the pavement ends and suggested contacting Montana Department of Transportation. They have received 2 new vehicles for the department. The white Dodge will be available for County use.
DES Director Russell and Coordinator Rook gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. There were 33 office visits, 22 phone calls, 6 burn permits issued/renewed, 4 calls for service (fire follow up, Grassland Way investigation, burn permit violation on Dean Creek, Goulding Creek accident drone search, Golden Valley County Manhunt support) and 5 meeting were attended. Hopefully, the Busy Bee demo will begin next week.
Treasurer Hetrick gave the Commissioners the County Cash Reconciliation for January.
Ambulance Director Solberg gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. After reviewing the Ambulance policy, Mr. Solberg noted that Resolution 2026-7 that was noticed in the Roundup Record and Tribune for 2 weeks is not needed, because it is in the policy. The department has volunteered ambulance service to help the new hospital in Wheatland County (Vista Plains Healthcare) to transport patients. The new phones are in the programming stage. Commissioner Pancratz mentioned to Mr. Solberg they are working on updating the County Wide safety program.
Public comment:
Troy Evans was present. Mr. Evans asked about the “Old Business” Ice Cream Hill item. After explaining where the property was, the Commissioners told him it is in the process of being sold to an adjacent landowner. Mr. Evans asked about the Weir Building and Signal Peak. The Commissioners updated him about going into Phase II of the Weir Building and about Signal Peak asking Musselshell County to give up the County’s mineral rights. (For more information regarding both the Wier Building and the Commissioners stance on the Crow Revenue Act with Signal Peak, go to the County’s new website musselshellcounty.gov and the link to our YouTube channel)
End of public comment.
There being no further business Commissioner Turley made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Fairground Coordinator Tatman met with the Commissioners with her report. The FFA kids made locks for the hydrants at the fairgrounds, and she had a sample to show the Commissioners. The Fair Board approved the updated by-laws, policy manual and voting procedure. A list of the upcoming events at the fairgrounds was given to the Commissioners.
Monday February 9, 2026 Road Department meeting.
All Commissioners, Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert and Secretary Randell were present. They pulled 2 miles of Majerus Road, North Gage is good and with the moisture they are going to have to wait for a little bit before blading more roads. The new trailers are nice. The loader is back and they should have the new grader by the end of the month. They are looking at purchasing a 2003 crusher that only has 5000 hours on it. MACRS is the last week in March if anyone is going. Commissioner Goffena would like to go.
There was a further meeting with Gary Eliasson regarding his gravel pit and the crusher. The County will still be purchasing the gravel from Mr. Eliassons pit after crushing. The Commissioners, Road and Bridge supervisor Stockert and Mr. Eliasson will be going out to look at expanding the County’s gravel area. End of meeting.