March 23, 2023 Water
District Meeting
Commissioner Turley, Commissioner Pancratz, Commissioner Goffena and County Attorney Larsen were present as were: Minutes were amended by Commissioner Turley.
Wendy Shreeve, Warren Hanson, David W. Shreeve, Karen Randolph-King, Dylan Randolph, Daniel Main, Sherri Fanscha, Ken Naylor, Mark Snyder, Tom Work, Charles R Gettelman, John A. Adams, Judy Sutherland, Janice Beck, Keith Regli, Mike Pratt, Edward L. Grime, Cheryl Goffena, Radean Naylor, Kathy Hollenback and Dave Ponte were present.
Commissioner Turley gave the introductions and said the everyone would have a three-minute public comment period on if they would like to have a Water District or if they are opposed to having a Water District.
Dave Ponte, Kathy Hollenback, Lot 64. Mr. Ponte said they are for having the Water District and had a question for County Attorney Larsen regarding the easement issue. County Attorney Larsen said the Board of the Home Owners Association has contained legal counsel and he really does not have an opinion on the easements because it doesn’t have anything to do with the County. Mr. Ponte asked the question if someone chooses to not be in the district, will they have any cost? Commissioner Pancratz said no. Mr. Ponte said they shouldn’t keep people from getting water. The more people that are in the less it will cost.
Dave and Wendy Shreeve, Lot 69, gave a letter of support that can be viewed by request at the Clerk & Recorders Office. Mr. Shreeve said the County committed a lot of money for the PER to move forward and they are trying to help.
Mike Pratt, Lots 27, 28, 29. There was a protest of the petition turned in because it did not follow Montana Codes, e.g.: non-entity, name is not legitimate, names on petition don’t qualify and they don’t meet the 10% of qualified electors of the district required. A copy of the protest of petition can be received by request at the Clerk & Recorders office. Mr. Pratt wanted the water but didn’t like the voting system.
Ken Naylor, Raedean Naylor, Lots 42 & 45. The petition was brought in to the Commissioners on June 15 and July 1 and put in to the paper on July 14. Why would you try to sabotage what the people that want water are trying to do? This may end up straight in Federal Court.
Raedean Naylor said they want water and Ken Naylor wanted to help out and started the petition. They hope the Association isn’t fighting people to have water. They need to have faith in the PER. There are grants to help with the burden. This is a one-time payment or they can replace their current water system every few years for $5,000.00.
John Adams, Lot 58. People moved here knowing what the water was. We don’t know the price of getting the water is? There is a lot of power for people to run a district that have never done it before. They need to know what they are getting into.
Charles Gettelman, Lot 10. Mr. Gettelman is going to do more fact finding but with what he has researched already it looks like just the trenching to the house would be $6,600.00. He is opting out because he can’t afford it.
Sherri Flanscha, Lot 15. Ms. Flanscha is opting in and will do whatever it takes for water for their property. If the others don’t want in, don’t.
Judy Sutherland, Lot 8. She is opting out. The Board hopes you all agree we, as the HOA are in charge. They think about everyone. They think the land owners need paid for the easements. Everyone is responsible for road maintenance. They would have to raise HOA dues. They want everyone to be informed.
Ed Grime, Lots 59 & 60.Mr. Grime wants to know under what authority and MCA are they able to have a district? County Attorney Larsen 7-13-22-06. The Board shall hear the petition and protests. Mr. Grime is out because he doesn’t trust what is happening and the voting isn’t fair. (People started shouting and Commissioner Turley asked Mr. Grime to sit down)
Dan Main, Lot 20. What is the process if the Commissioner approve the petition. Commissioner Pancratz said that after the hearing the Commissioner are required to reset the boundaries of who will benefit and who wont and then an election.
Mark Snyder, Lot 68. There is so much anger. Opting out. Mr. Snyder has no faith in boards or any Government entity.
Commissioner Turley said these are all valid concerns. The Commissioners need to do more research to get questions answered.
County Attorney Larsen said anyone can opt in later if the water district exists. Once the boundaries are set, then an election with mail out ballots. We still need to research what the qualifications are for voting.
Commissioner Pancratz said they can have another meeting if needed.
Commissioner Goffena said he is a simple man and this shouldn’t be this hard. Individuals can’t get grants. Districts get grants.
Meeting adjourned at 6:20 P.M
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