Special Meeting for Interviews and Public Comments on County Commissioner Candidates on Tuesday, October 24

Special Meeting for Interviews and Public Comments on County Commissioner Candidates on Tuesday, October 24

Commissioners seem certain to select Bryan Wells to fillCounty Commission vacancy on October 26

Park County Commissioner Bill Berg resigned in September for health reasons.  The two remaining County Commissioners, Clint Tinsley and Mike Story, will appoint someone to complete the remainder of Berg’s term, which ends on December 31, 2024.The process to fill the vacancy announced by the County has four steps.First, applications were accepted until Friday October 13.Second, there was be a public hearing on Tuesday October 17 at which Commissioners Tinsley and Story would choose finalists from among the applicants to proceed to the interview stage.Third, the finalists will be interviewed by a panel of County staff members on Tuesday October 24, using a common set of questions.  Public comment would be taken after the interviews.Fourth, on Thursday October 26, the County Commissioners will make their decision.As of the Friday October 13 deadline, thirteen persons applied to fill the vacancy: M. Jackson Kahle, Livingston; Kevin Funk, Pine Creek; Dan Skattum, Livingston; Bryan Wells, Pray; Kent Hanawalt, McLeod; Dean Williamson, Livingston; Luke Jergenson, Pine Creek; Sabina Strauss, Gardiner; Dan Babcox Sr., Livingston; Rachael Jones, Livingston; and Monica Lynn Tietz, Cooke City.At their special meeting on Tuesday October 17, County Commissioners Story and Tinsley (right) moved and seconded a motion to appoint Bryan Wells without any interviews and or public comment.Comments by the public challenged how and why the County Commissioners were making their decision without any interviews or comments from the public.County counsel reminded the Commissioners that the public notice for the meeting described it as a public hearing and decision on the selection of finalists to proceed to the interview stage.The Commissioners selected five finalists to be interviewed on October 24: Dan Babcox Sr, Luke Jergenson, Rachel Jones, Monica Tietz, and Bryan Wells.Based on their motion to appoint him, it seems very likely Commissioners Story and Tinsley will appoint Bryan Wells on October 26.What you can do:Regardless of which finalist is selected, you can attend the October 24 candidate’s forum and express your opinions about the need for the County Commission to plan for and manage growth and development in Park County and that you would like the new Commissioner to join his or her colleagues in moving forward on implementing and updating the Growth Policy.

Special County Commission Meeting

Tuesday October 24, 2023

10:00 AM Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall 46 View Vista Drive Livingston, MT 59047

The public may participate by calling in at:1-571-748-4021, ID 3047645#, PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONE UNLESS SPEAKING, DIAL*6 to UNMUTEYou can also participate online at, https://meeting.gomeet.com/parkcountycommission

AGENDA

OPENING OF MEETINGROLL CALL PUBLICCOMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDAACTION ITEMS: District 2 Vacancy Candidate ForumSuggested Action: No decisions will be made today.PUBLIC COMMENTCOMMISSIONER COMMENTSADJOURN