: April Park County Newsletter

Park County Newsletter for April 2024

Welcome to Park County’s monthly newsletter. We hope this newsletter will help you stay up to date on important updates, upcoming events, and the latest developments from your local government.

This newsletter will be released on the first Friday of each month. If you are viewing this newsletter on the Park County website and wish to receive it directly to your email in the future, please click here to subscribe. A physical copy of the County Newsletter is available at the City-County Complex at 414 E. Callender St. in Livingston.

The Park County Budget Part 1: The Process

Each month the Park County Newsletter will cover an aspect of the Park County budget.

Planning for the next fiscal year is underway. Fiscal year 2025 (“FY 2025”) will run from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. This multi-month process, involving County Commissioners, Department Heads, and the public, will culminate in the fall with the adoption of the FY 2025 Final Budget.

Continue reading to learn about the budget calendar, how to get involved in the process, and where to find more information.

THE BUDGET CALENDAR

The Montana Code Annotated (MCA) stipulates that the County Commission shall adopt a resolution for the final budget with an effective date of July 1, even if the resolution is adopted after that date (7-6-4030). While the fiscal year begins July 1, the Department of Revenue does not send counties taxable values until August. Resolution 1399, adopting the FY 2024 Final Budget, was signed on September 7, 2023.

Up Next

County Commissioners will discuss the allocation of Payments in Lieu of Taxes (“PILT”). According to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s website, PILT funds are “Federal payments that help local governments offset losses in property taxes due to the existence of nontaxable Federal lands within their boundaries.” The payments are intended to help fund vital services such as public safety, public road and school construction , and search and rescue operations. In 2023, Park County had 956,904 acres of nontaxable Federal lands and received $1,800,272. More information about the history of PILT payments in Montana can be found on the Montana Association of Counties website here.

May-June-July

By June 1, Erica Strickland, the Park County Finance Director, will request estimated revenues and expenditures from Department Heads. After the estimates are received, the Finance Director will prepare a preliminary budget for submission to the Commission. The Commission will revise the budget and set levies for each fund having a levy.

August-September

In August, the Department of Revenue provides the total taxable value of property located within each jurisdiction of the County. The preliminary budget will be made available to the public and the Commission will notice and hold a public hearing(s). The Commission must conclude hearings and pass the resolution adopting the final budget within 30 days of the receipt of the certified taxable values (MCA 7-6-4036).

September-October

The Commission sets final levies as part of the final budget adoption process. The County uses the total taxable value to determine how many mills are levied to support the budget and reports this information to the Department of Revenue following MCA Code 15-10-420 for floating levies and implementing voted or permissive levies. Finally, a copy of the final budget and levies is sent to the Department of Administration by October 1 or within 60 days of receipt of certified taxable values (MCA 7-5-4003).

The Final Budget Document provides information about the County’s financial summary, sources of revenue, expenditures, special funds, transfer activities, levies, and taxable values. In addition to financial information, the document includes a breakdown of each department’s previous year’s activities and future goals.

GET INVOLVED

The County Commission has decision making authority regarding the County budget. Commission meetings are open to the public. Members of the public have the option to attend in-person, online, or by phone. During each meeting, there are opportunities for public comment. Upcoming meetings, agendas, and past meeting recordings are available at this link.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Click here to access meetings online and locate dial-in information.

Click here to view upcoming meetings, past meeting recordings, and agendas.

RESOURCES

Click here to view the FY 2024 Final Budget Document.

Click here to visit the Department of the Interior’s webpage on PILT.

Click here to visit the Accounting Department page.

Click here to view the Park County Property Tax Presentation

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Election Judge Training

The Park County Elections Office is gearing up for the 2024 Federal election year and needs your help! Election Judges play a fundamental role in our democratic process by assisting voters in casting their ballots.

Requirements

Judges must be 18 years of age and a registered voter in Park County, MT. Per Montana Code Annotated 13-4-104 and 13-4-203(5) all eligible electors serving as Election Judges must have a current certificate of completion of training. A certificate of completion is current if the certificate is obtained before the primary election in an even-numbered year.

Training Dates

Monday April 29, 2024 from 9 am to 4 pm

Tuesday April 30, 2024 from 9 am to 4 pm

Both sessions will be held downstairs in the Community Room of the City County Complex located at 414 E Callender Street in Livingston. Lunch will be provided.

Election Dates

Federal Primary: June 4, 2024

Federal General: November 5, 2024

Hours of service are estimated to be from 6 am to 10 pm for both elections.

Compensation

Election Judges are compensated at the rate of $10.30 per hour served. Chief Election Judges are compensated at the rate of $10.80 per hour. Any Judge traveling over 5 miles one way to reach the polling place they are stationed at will be compensated at the rate of $0.67 per mile.

Please contact the Elections Office at 406-222-4110 or email Barb at bshesky@parkcounty.org to reserve your spot at the training.

Park County Commissioners

Photo: On Thursday March 21st, County Commissioners accompanied Public Works and Stahly Engineering to the Carbella Bridge site during construction on the abutments.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

PARK COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS are held every Tuesday at 9:00am and typically take place at the City-County Building, 414 E. Callender St., Livingston, MT, in the Commissioner Chambers unless otherwise indicated.

Click here to view meetings online

Click here for agendas, video, and meeting minutes

Meet with Your Commissioners

Visit with Commissioner Clint Tinsley:

1st Friday of the Month at 9:00am

Two Doors Down Coffee Bakery in Clyde Park

Visit with Commissioner Bryan Wells at the following locations:

2^nd Friday of Month at 9:00am

Riverside Hardware *upstairs conference room

107 S Main St, Livingston, MT 59047

4^th Wednesday of Month at 9:00am

St. John’s Episcopal Church

8 Story Rd, Emigrant, MT 59027

CONTACT INFORMATION

DISTRICT 1- MIKE STORY

Term: 2023-2026

Phone: 406-223-1548

DISTRICT 2- BRYAN WELLS

Term: 2023-2024

Phone: 406-223-9162

DISTRICT 3- CLINT TINSLEY

Term: 2021-2024

Phone: 406-224-3376

County Board Meetings

When county residents serve on county boards and commissions, they volunteer their service for the betterment of local communities and Park County. Citizens are encouraged to attend board and commission meetings, which are always open to the public.

Board and Commission meeting agendas are posted in the City/County Complex 48 business hours in advance.

Click here to view board meeting agendas and archives.

Work with Us

Join us and experience the job satisfaction that comes with knowing your work directly contributes to the betterment of Park County and its residents.

Click here to view current job opportunities

Spotlight Career Opportunity

Are you a people person with a passion for community service? Join the Park County Sheriff's Office as a Detention Officer and embark on a fulfilling career in law enforcement. You’ll find that this role goes beyond mere oversight— it's also about promoting attentive and effective communication, which is essential for cultivating a climate of trust and understanding. This ultimately contributes to the safety and well-being of all individuals involved. As a Detention Officer, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring the welfare and safety of inmates while also maintaining accurate records and upholding rules and policies. This position offers a unique opportunity for those seeking a long-term future in law enforcement, providing valuable insights into the full life cycle of the justice system. Whether you're looking to start your journey in law enforcement or aiming to climb the ranks, this role serves as an excellent point of entry, offering hands-on experience and invaluable community interaction. Join us in making a difference in the lives of Park County residents and visitors alike. Wages start at $22.70/hour.

Visit our website at jobs.parkcounty.org for information on how to apply.

"Connect, Park County" Update

“You cast to where the fish are. How do you know where the fish are? You watch.”

Connect, Park County, a grant-funded initiative to assess loneliness and connection in Park County, is heeding this sentiment from the film, Mending the Line. And through surveys and interviews, we are also listening and learning.

The ebb and flow of a community, its people, and its relationships, means that self-reflection is essential for growth. The reflections shared with us by generous participants thus far tell us that we are lonely, but hopeful. Not as connected as we once might have been, but ready and willing to roll up our sleeves and help. But where? How? Our eyes don’t work as well at night as they once did. We don’t hear in crowded spaces and hearing aids are a darn pain in the rear to get used to. So now what? Like you, we want to belong to a community that is responsive, agile, compassionate, caring. It’s clear that we can do that - by creating it.

Our needs are many, but so are our talents, our greatest treasures.

We will collate the data, group like things with like things, and share the report and recommendations with the broader community.

Please, join us in this endeavor. Fill out the survey. Invite us to interview you. Volunteer. Make recommendations. We’re watching. We’re listening. We’re learning. And like you, we’re doing.

If you want to learn more about “Connect, Park County,” or would like a survey mailed to you, contact the Park County Health Department at 406-222-4145.

Upcoming Events

Pesticide Applicator Training Opportunities

Monday April 15, 2024 from 6 to 7 pm at the Livingston Elks Lodge.

Parasite management in grazing beef cattle with Dr. Don Bliss, MidAmerica Research.

This training opportunity is hosted by Spurline, Merck Animal Health, and MSU Extension-Park County and will provide 1 continuing education private applicator credit. RSVP to park@montana.edu or call 406- 222-4156.

Wednesday April 17, 2024 from 5 to 7 pm at the Shields Valley Senior Center in Wilsall.

Managing Woody Invasives with Mat Walter, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent in Lewis and Clark County.

Grasshopper biology, lifecycles, and species diversity and how that integrates into existing management tools and techniques with Hannah Lewis, Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist, US Department of Agriculture.

This training opportunity will provide 2 continuing education private applicator credits. Please RSVP to park@montana.edu or call 406-222-4156.

For more information, click here to view an informational flyer.

Election Judge Training

Monday April 29, 2024 from 9 am to 4 pm

Tuesday April 30, 2024 from 9 am to 4 pm

Both sessions will be held downstairs in the community room of the City County Complex located at 414 E Callender St in Livingston. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to the Elections Office at 406-222-4110 or email Barb at bshesky@parkcounty.org.

ServSafe 4 Hour Food Handler Certification Class

Monday, May 6, 2024 from 9 am to 1 pm at the MSU- Park County Extension Office located at 119 S 3rd St in Livingston.

Register now to get your staff food handler certified. Seating is limited. Please RSVP by May 1 to park@montana.edu or call 406-222-4156. For more information, click here to view the informational flyer.

Engage with Us

City/County Complex

414 E. Callender St.

Livingston, MT 59047

(406) 222-4100

Click here to submit an inquiry

Let's Connect!

We want to tell you about what we are doing. Your Park County staff is working hard to meet the needs of our community. Visit our new communications page to sign up for newsletters, email updates, social media, and emergency alerts. We welcome you to join us in our meetings, engage in the public process, and let us know how we are doing.