County Brief:

Last week during their weekly Discussion and Decision Meeting, the Valley County Commissioners had quite a few things on their agenda. The first item of the meeting concerned county employees purchasing tax liens. During the discussion, Commissioner Bruce Peterson expressed his concerns on the matter, stating that county employees would have inside knowledge and would have the edge on these properties with tax liens on them. The motion passed two to one, allowing county employees to purchase tax liens after they had been made available to the public for 30 days.

The commissioners also decided to allow Stevenson Design to begin plans and start advertising for contractors to bid for work to be done on the courthouse’s roof. Stevenson Design also did the roof on the Valley County Jail, and the motion was passed by unanimous decision.

Commissioners also voted in favor of a new phone and electric line to be ran into the fairgrounds. The line will run towards the back of the fairgrounds, underneath the road by the hog barn.

Anthony Hebert was also confirmed to a position on the St. Marie Rural Fire District Board of Trustees. Hebert ran unopposed for the seat and also serves on the St. Marie Rural Fire Department.

The commissioners also heard a proposition to acquire a building from McCone County. The building is located on Tower Hill, and the intention would be to use it for EMS. If the county wishes to take the structure, they would have to move it from its current location and clean up the cement footings and other remnants at the location. During the meeting, the commissioners did not make a firm decision on the matter, expressing concerns including the ability to move the structure from its location and the cost associated with it.

As of May 15, commissioners Bruce Peterson and Paul Tweeten stated that it looks unlikely that they will decide to accept the building. Tweeten explained that it is because of its location and the difficulty involved with getting the proper machinery needed to move it. Tweeten also expressed the county already has a building similar that is currently unused.