Commissioners Meeting 8/19/2026
Author: Rachael Brug, Staff Reporter
Article Published: 08/28/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 08Commissioners Meeting
Rachael Brug
Staff Reporter
8/19/2026
School Budget Approved; Water Law Changes Shape Subdivision Review Process.
Commissioners OK Townsend K12 FY27 budget, interlocal detention agreement; Western Montana Estates subdivision approved amid ongoing water and public engagement discussions
The Broadwater County Commission approved the Townsend K12 School District's fiscal year 2027 budget and a routine interlocal agreement for adult detention services during its August 19th meeting, while navigating continuing discussions about water rights, communication, and appropriate county oversight of development projects.
Commission Chair Debi Randolph presided over the meeting, attended by Commissioners Jesse Swenson and Lindsey Richtmeyer.
Highway 287 Safety Takes Center Stage in Public Comment
Rob Eskridge opened the meeting by acknowledging the commissioners' work on safety issues while expressing frustration about the lack of visible progress on Highway 287 speed and safety concerns. Eskridge noted conversations with Montana Department of Transportation traffic engineers who are already pushing back on speed limit changes.
Calling for a decision on whether the county should serve as the lead agency for addressing short-term safety issues, Eskridge recommended that commissioners establish a working session bringing together representatives from the governor's office, the state transportation commission, both law enforcement agencies, MDT traffic safety engineers, and community representatives.
"There are 15 families that have lost somebody, our neighbors," Eskridge said, referencing deaths on the corridor. He emphasized that the upcoming MDT open house—scheduled for August 20th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.—is not sufficient, as the associated construction project remains in the design phase and lacks dedicated funding.
**MDT Response:** Commission liaison staff clarified that the county has already undertaken to be the lead agency for a speed study, which requires a formal commission request. Staff noted that the BUILD grant for the Winston-Northwest project was denied, but other projects in the corridor have nothing to do with that federal grant. An MDT staff debrief on the grant process is scheduled for the coming weeks. Staff also corrected the death count, noting that MDT will provide accurate statistics at tomorrow's open house, and emphasized that while the process is long, the commission will work to initiate the speed study as soon as public feedback and MDT information are received following the open house.
US Antimony Mill Tour Provides Public Information:
Commissioners reported on a private tour of the US Antimony processing facility at Radersburg following the previous week's presentation by Aaron Tenesch, Vice President of the Antimony Division. The three commissioners, County Administrative Officer Bill Jarocki, and legal counsel toured the mill to gather information for constituent inquiries.
The facility currently operates one full-time shift with mostly local employees and processes ore from Thompson Falls. The commissioners noted that antimony is used in fire retardant compounds for plastics, as a clarifying agent in glass, as an alloying agent in batteries and solder, and in solar panels and textiles. The facility's taxable value won't be determined until next year's property assessments.
Public comment from Tim Ravendall thanked commissioners for providing context on the mill's role in the county. He noted that the facility—present since the early 1980s—has been retooled, with discussions underway about potential expansion on different property. Commission Chair Randolph emphasized that the county's outreach was driven by an obligation to be informed about potential business developments affecting the county, even when commissioners aren't water or mining experts.
Townsend School District Budget Approved
Superintendent Brad Racht presented the Townsend K12 Schools FY27 budget, requesting commission approval as part of the statutory process. The general fund totals $6,655,399, funded through state appropriations, local property taxes, and federal grants. The district's overall budget for FY27 is $9.124 million.
Key points from Racht's presentation included:
**Revenue Sources:** Approximately 26% of the general fund comes from local property taxes, 59% from state funding, and the remainder from federal sources. The district did not pursue a mill levy increase, choosing instead to manage within existing revenue formulas.
**Enrollment Trends:** Townsend elementary enrollment is growing, reflecting young families moving to Broadwater County. High school enrollment had declined over recent decades but is now showing recovery. Racht noted that open enrollment laws and geographic location—with county growth concentrated at the north and south ends—create challenges as families closer to other districts opt to send students elsewhere.
**Budget Challenges:** The district faces pressure from deferred maintenance, weather-related damage, and declining Title I federal funding. Racht emphasized that schools must balance educational quality with taxpayer sensitivity. He also noted that having more diverse taxpayers and businesses in the county would help school funding, as Broadwater County relies heavily on residential property tax revenue.
**Staffing Cuts:** The district made difficult staffing reductions while maintaining educational quality. Racht highlighted the importance of understanding restrictive state funding formulas that earmark money for specific purposes, such as bus purchases—funds that cannot be redirected to other pressing needs.
Commission discussion touched on the importance of enrollment in school funding, with A and B funding formulas providing approximately $6,600 per K-6 student and $8,567 per high school student on a sliding scale.
The commission unanimously approved the budget.
Detention Services Agreement Approved:
Sheriff Mark Wood presented a short interlocal agreement with Lewis and Clark County for housing inmates. The arrangement has been in place for years but lacked formal documentation; this agreement formalizes the existing practice. Wood noted that Broadwater County currently houses one Lewis and Clark County inmate, while the arrangement allows the counties to house each other's inmates as needed during staffing or capacity issues.
The agreement was unanimously approved.
Special Prosecutor Resolution Adopted:
County Attorney Kevin Bratcher presented a resolution authorizing the Attorney General's Prosecution Services Bureau to handle two specific cases. Bratcher explained that this arrangement involves no additional county expense—the AG's office attorneys donate their time, and the county's expenditures are limited to what would normally be spent on prosecution. The commission has used this arrangement several times in the past for certain types of cases.
The resolution was unanimously approved.
Treasurer Advances Alternative Payment Program:
County Treasurer Melissa Franks presented the monthly financial report and introduced a new alternative tax payment plan for primary residences. The program allows eligible property owners to make seven equal payments from November through May, with no penalty or interest assessed on missed intermediate payments if the final May payment is made on time.
**Eligibility Requirements:** Primary residence; owner-occupied; owner present seven months of year; not delinquent when signing up; real property only (manufactured homes on foundations qualify).
**Purpose:** The program helps taxpayers with fixed incomes budget property taxes monthly rather than facing a large lump-sum payment. It also reduces delinquent tax collection issues for the county.
Franks noted that any taxpayer with questions can call her office or email. Commission Chair Randolph suggested copies be placed at the treasurer's window to increase public awareness. The application deadline is September 30th.
County Administrative Officer Bill Jarocki added important context: the state legislature addresses property tax issues every two years, and counties should track usage statistics and taxpayer satisfaction with such programs to provide data for legislative improvements.
Clarification on Fund Balance Reconciliation:
Following social media discussion regarding the county's fund balance reconciliation, Jarocki provided a clear explanation of the issue that arose during the previous audit. Auditors found that the treasurer's records showed more money than the bank's records did—not because money was missing, but because accounting errors had accumulated over time, making it appear the county had more available funds than actually existed. After extensive work with local government services and county staff, errors were corrected and the fund balance adjusted accordingly.
"No money was missing. In fact, the problem was the opposite," Jarocki said, noting that the county now submits monthly reconciliation reports to local government services and the monthly reports will continue to be posted online.
Western Montana Estates Subdivision Approved
The commission approved preliminary plat approval for the Western Montana Estates minor subdivision, a five-lot residential development off Highway 287. Community Development and Planning Director Nichole Brown presented the application, which cleared planning board review and incorporated all commission-requested conditions.
Key conditions include: a preliminary engineering report for Buffalo Jump Trail, the existing subdivision road serving the property; the developer's responsibility for their proportionate share of road improvements under county subdivision standards; and compliance with new state requirements for notice of intent to appropriate water from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).
Brown noted that this was Broadwater County's first subdivision to complete the NOI process since new state law took effect January 1, 2026. Developer Jane Cazier, who owns the property, expressed appreciation for the approval while noting the cost ($400 per lot) and restrictive water-use limits (10 acre feet for five residential units) will limit future development on the property. Cazier explained she retained road access rights when she previously sold the property to Park Trail Ranch Estates, anticipating future development to sell her residence.
**Water Law Context:** The NOI requirement came from the 2025 legislative session following a landmark judicial ruling (McMahon decision in the Horse Hills Hills case). The change shifts responsibility for water analysis away from county commissioners—who lack water expertise—to DNRC, a state water expert agency.
Subdivision Exemption Application Approved:
The commission approved a revised subdivision exemption application form after months of development incorporating legal, staff, and public feedback. Community Development Director Nichole Brown had color-coded commissioners' requested edits for transparency.
Key discussion points included moving references to minor grantees from the family transfer section to general acknowledgements, and considering whether birth, adoption, and marriage documentation should be required to verify family relationships claimed on exemption applications.
Public commenter Chuck Hahn argued that documentation of relationships should be required, noting that other counties have done so without issues. County Attorney Kevin Bratcher explained the liability concerns: if the county required and stored vital records like birth certificates, adoption papers, or marriage certificates, the county would incur ongoing confidentiality and security obligations. Bratcher noted that applicants sign the exemption affidavit under penalty of perjury, which provides legal recourse if information is falsified.
County Clerk and Recorder Angie Bratcher, represented by Bratcher at the meeting, expressed concerns about the county's liability in storing sensitive vital records, particularly given variable requirements across different document types (some marked confidential, some not).
After discussion, commissioners indicated they were comfortable with the affidavit process without requiring additional documentation.
Public Engagement and Communication Concerns:
Additional public comment from Chuck Hahn and Tim Ravendall raised ongoing concerns about public awareness of and participation in planning processes. Ravendall noted that growth-related water concerns require better notification to neighbors and the public about subdivision applications before decisions are made. He also questioned how planning board agendas are communicated and highlighted difficulty finding subdivision information online.
Commissioners acknowledged challenges with public communication and noted several initiatives under consideration, including a potential county app (in discussion phase) similar to school apps, which would allow residents to access information and forms more easily. Commissioners acknowledged staff limitations, noting that social media monitoring and posting require significant time and that a dedicated communications or grant-writing position doesn't currently exist in the budget.
The commission will not hold a meeting the following week due to Chair Randolph's attendance at a Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority conference in Helena.
