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Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Howell returns to work as county elections seek stability
May 16—When school trustee elections for Libby and Troy were held last week, Lincoln County Election Administrator Melanie Howell was back running the show. Howell returned to the job May 1 after she was put on administrative leave March 31. At the time, county Clerk and Recorder Corinna Brown didn't say why Howell was put on leave, but said her office would be managing the elections with help from election office assistant Sierra Gustin. Howell spoke to The Western News on Election Night, Tuesday, May 6, about the situation and her return to the job she was hired to do in May 2023. "I'm happy for the voters and for the support I received," Howell said. "It's been really hard not knowing what would happen, but now it's time to move forward and do the best we can. A lot of people stepped up to make sure this election was held." Howell also provided a report at the county commissioners meeting Wednesday. "Corrina (Brown) blessed us with a good handoff from the work she and her staff had done prior to the election," Howell told the commissioners. "We had 246 ballots that were undeliverable, many to seasonal addresses, and we had 55 ballots from Libby and 27 from Troy that were postmarked too late, but we can't control that." Howell believes her return to her job has a lot to do with a measure introduced by Montana House of Representatives member Tom Millett, R-Marion. Millett represents District 2, which includes sections of Lincoln and Flathead Counties. House Bill 293, introduced Jan. 22, sought to have a election administrator report directly to the governing body of the county, specifically the county commissioners, as opposed to reporting to the clerk and recorder. "I'm glad that HB 293 was overwhelmingly passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor because it clarified the law (MCA 13-1-301) thereby allowing the Commissioners to make a well informed decision as to the best path forward for the administration of Lincoln County elections," Millett said in a statement to The Western News. According to Montana Code Annotated 13-1-301, in part, the county clerk and recorder of each county is the election administrator unless the governing body of the county designates another official or appoints an election administrator. In addition, the election administrator is responsible for the administration of all procedures relating to registration of electors and conduct of elections, shall keep all county records relating to elector registration and elections, and is the primary point of contact for the county with respect to the statewide voter registration list and implementation of other provisions of applicable federal law governing elections. District 1 Commissioner Brent Teske is pleased something was worked out. "I'm happy to have a less-conflicted resolution," Teske said. "We didn't find out about HB 293 until Senator Cuffe told us. Howell said reporting to the commissioners and making decisions together will be better. "The rotation is set so that I'll report to Brent (Teske) first, then Jim Hammons and finally, Noel Duram," Howell said. "My hope is for each of them to understand elections better and when they make a decision about a question I have, I'll have to stick to it." Howell's assistant, Sierra Gustin, will work full-time in the election department when they are preparing to hold an election. But during slower times, she'll work in the Clerk and Recorder's Office, which is dealing with not having enough help to perform its usual tasks. Millett's bill saw little opposition in the House and Senate and was signed May 1 by Gov. Greg Gianforte. All parties are hopeful the recent resolution will bring stability to a department that has seen more than its fair share of trouble since 2020. Howell was hired to run the county's elections in May 2023 following the resignation of Paula Buff. Buff, former Clerk and Recorder Robin Benson and another election office employee resigned in March 2023 following heightened tension between them and former County Commissioner Josh Letcher. Letcher alleged Buff falsified election documents at a March 1, 2023 meeting, though Benson said she had no idea of what documents Letcher was referring to and was not provided a copy of any specific documents. Buff later sued the county, alleging she was constructively discharged. "Constructive discharge" means the voluntary termination of employment by an employee because of a situation created by an act or omission of the employer which an objective, reasonable person would find so intolerable that voluntary termination is the only reasonable alternative. Buff also alleged acts and omissions by the county were "malicious." Buff's case is set for a jury trial in December. Brown was appointed to take over the Clerk and Recorder job in March 2023 and won election to the position in 2024. While they seem ready to move forward, Brown and Howell have butted heads previously. In July 2024, Howell sought a split from the Clerk and Recorder's Office. She cited various reasons at a July 10, 2024, commission meeting, including election security and to avoid confusion for voters. Howell is the fourth person to hold the election administrator title since 2020. Buff was on the job from 2021 to 2023. Before her, Chris Nelson served from August 2020 to November 2020. He resigned following the general election that year. Nelson replaced longtime election administrator Leigh Riggleman, who resigned in 2020 while the commissioners were indecisive over holding an all mail-in election, meant to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, or a traditional poll election.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Libby Public Schools seek mill levy for maintenance costs
Apr. 11—Rising maintenance and insurance costs have led Libby Public School to seek a mill levy in the upcoming May 6 school election. School Superintendent Ron Goodman said the levy would be permanent and generate $250,000 annually. The money would primarily be used for roof replacement or repairs as well as parking lot maintenance at the high school. "Roofing is one of our major facilities maintenance expenses," Goodman told The Western News during an interview Wednesday morning. "Libby Schools has nearly six acres of roofs. Replacing one pod at Libby Elementary will cost roughly $400,000. Before Covid the cost of a new roof was $200,000." The estimated annual costs of the levy are $15.83 each year for a house with a market value of $100,000. For a house valued at $300,000, the estimated increase would be $47.48 annually. For a house valued at $600,000, the annual increase would be $94.95. Goodman said he is sympathetic to what taxpayers are going through with rising property tax rates at the state level. "I get it, it's a hardship, but we're working to stay ahead of doing complete roof replacements and we're also working to get away from using diesel-powered boilers to heat the middle high school," he said. "This summer, we'll be doing a roof fix with a new layer on the Middle High School. We're also doing a roof refurbishment on the Brown Pod at the Elementary School." According to reporting in other media outlets, the Montana Legislature is considering ways to lower property taxes, but nothing is certain at this point. Another bill in the state House of Representatives seeks to help school districts with rising maintenance costs. According to reporting in the Montana Free Press ( House Bill 515 seeks a one-time transfer of $75 million from the General Fund surplus to a special school facilities trust in order to elevate annual interest earnings. The money earned for the facilities trust would create an annual payment for major maintenance needs, capped at $40,000. The bill received large support in the House last week and reached the Senate on April 5. It was referred to the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee on April 7. "HB 515 would be great if it passes and that would help," Goodman said. "But the mill levy would provide a longstanding solution." Goodman said roof repairs are highly preferred because of the cost savings. "If we get them fixed before they get too bad, the cost is about 45% less than replacing an entire roof," he said. The district is doing a roof project at the Middle High School this summer. A new layer of synthetic rubber roofing membrane is being added to the existing roof. The rubber roofing is preferred on low slope or flat roofs because of durability, weather resistance and lifespan. He also explained the school district's efforts to move away from diesel-powered heat systems. "We spend $800 per week to heat the gym because of the cost of diesel fuel," Goodman said. "It's why we went to heat pumps at the elementary school. That is saving us $20,000 per year in electricity costs." Goodman said the school has chip-sealed areas of the parking lot at the Middle High School to keep things going. "Parking lot maintenance would be done in phases due to the costs, but it's something that needs attention pretty quickly," Goodman said. Rising insurance costs have also negatively impacted the school district. Goodman said the district's insurance premiums increased by $106,000 from 2021 to 2025. Goodman said for those that have questions about the levy, they can call him at 293-8877.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Judge rules for developer, county in Chain of Lakes suit
Mar. 14—It appears there is one less obstacle to a developer's plans to build a RV park at Happy's Inn following a recent court ruling in Lincoln County. District Judge Matt Cuffe ruled in favor March 4 of the county Board of Commissioners and Parks Family Real Estate. Parks Family Real Estate and Happy's RV Park wants to build a 21-acre park which would include 69 recreational vehicle sites and 20 tent sites. The park would be located just north of U.S. 2 across from Happy's Inn. The Board of Commissioners voted to approve a preliminary plat for the proposed RV park in September 2022. Kris Cole of Parks Family Real Estate said he was happy with the ruling and the support of the community. "We're still waiting on (Montana) DEQ and they (Thompson Chain of Lakes Stewardship Coalition) could appeal the judge's ruling, but we have no plans to change our plans for the park," Cole said in a Tuesday phone interview with The Western News. "We really appreciate the support we've received from the community." Cole said things are also looking good in terms of the degradation permit application that is needed for the installation of a septic system. "We don't have a time line for when work begins and ends, but we're five years into it and we're not giving up," Cole said. "It's a very stringent process to get approval and we'll look forward to that." The coalition was formed in the summer of 2022 partially in response to the proposed commercial development. Coalition Chair Karen Wickersham spoke to The Western News about Judge Cuffe's ruling. "We are disappointed by the verdict, yet we remain committed to the Thompson Chain of Lakes Neighborhood Plan, which we believe is relevant," Wickersham said. "The Neighborhood Plan was developed over a three-year collaborative process that engaged a broad range of participants, including property owners, businesses and various other stakeholder groups. "The plan establishes a shared community vision for the Thompson Chain of Lakes' future growth. It was approved by the county commissioners and incorporated into the Lincoln County Growth Policy in 2010. Our group stands by the plan and we are exploring our legal options," Wickersham said. Opponents of the RV park are primarily concerned about its proximity to several spring-fed waterways on the Thompson Chain of Lakes. The group said the RV park is allowed to use up to 207,000 gallons of water per month with subsequent wastewater output. The group says this quantity will put homeowner's wells and lake levels at risk. Cuffe heard arguments from attorneys representing both factions in December 2023. David K.W. Wilson, Jr. and Robert Farris-Olsen of the Helena firm Morrison, Sherwood, Wilson & Deola, argued for the Chain of Lakes Coalition. In the argument for the coalition, Wilson talked then about the county adopting the Thompson Chain of Lakes Neighborhood Plan in 2010 with a goal of maintaining the natural resource values of the area. "While the growth plan is not a regulatory document, the planners decided that RV parks shouldn't be located where it is proposed," Wilson said at the 2023 hearing. "We don't think Lincoln County gets off the hook because it didn't implement zoning in the area." Those responsible for the 2010 Neighborhood Plan said, "maintaining the water quality of lakes, streams and wetlands is important. Many of the lakes are recharged through groundwater flows and wetland. Most of the lake shorelines, other than Crystal, Lavon and Bootjack lakes and the upper lobe of Upper Thompson, have very little shoreline development. The natural shorelines and well-vegetated character of the area help maintain good water supply." At the December 2023 hearing, Alan F. McCormick of Missoula-based Garlington, Lohn and Robinson and Angela LeDuc of Kalispell-based Rocky Mountain Law Partners spoke for the county and the developer. "In terms of the septic permits, the commissioners may have given their approval, but DEQ (Montana Department of Environmental Quality) still has to issue or deny the permit," McCormick said. "The county is only obligated to take public comment and submit it to the DEQ." He also argued that local governments are prohibited from denying development based, "solely on non-compliance with a growth policy because zoning hasn't been implemented." Among others in his ruling, Cuffe cited the fact that no allegations were made that the proposed RV park does not comply with the design standards in the county's subdivision regulations. Cuffe also mentioned the county Planning Department's unanimous vote to recommend commissioners grant preliminary plat approval. He also wrote that the Neighborhood Plan, which began its formation in 2005 by the Chain of Lakes Homeowner's Association in partnership with Plum Creek Timber Co., Lincoln Co., Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Fisher River Valley Fire Rescue, states it is a "guide to use and development, as opposed to a regulatory document." Cuffe also determined that the Chain of Lakes Stewardship Coalition's right to be heard and participate was not violated. Many involved on either side of the matter cited concern for highway traffic speed in the area. The county sought a reduction from 70 miles per hour to 45 mph in the area from Crystal Lake Road to east of West Camp Road on U.S. 2. But a 2023 Montana Department of Transportation study determined a decrease was not necessary. DOT officials cited a review of crashes from 2012-2021 with 34, including 13 with injuries and no fatal crashes. The study also said the highway was operating at 4% capacity. MDT did suggest Happy's Inn should contact it and acquire permitting for temporary speed reductions during large events. Happy's Inn does utilize large signs during events to alert drivers.
