Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

Minutes of the Public Meeting with Both of the Governing Bodies of the City of Roundup and Musselshell County. Sheriff Lesnik with the Musselshell County Sheriff’s Office Also Participated.

Held on May 9, 2022 AT 6:00PM.

at the Musselshell County Commons/Senior Center.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jones. Clerk/Treasurer Lanter conducted roll call with council members Long, Liggett, Vivirito, Carlson, McCleary, Toombs, and Fisher present. Also present were, Commissioners Goffena, Turley, Pancratz, Attorney Brooks, Assistant Clerk Mann and Deputy Clerk & Recorder Hagstrom. Absent was Erickson.

Agenda Approved.

Public Comment: No Public Comments.

Mayor Jones and Commissioner Goffena took turns reading the requested edits to each clause in the current draft in the Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement Services.

Section 1) PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT:

a. Capitalize state on the third line.

Mayor Jones- Everyone good with the amendment?

All agree, Yea.

b. All agree, Yea.

c. All agree, Yea.

d. All agree, Yea.

Section 2) EFFECT OF AGREEMENT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS: All agree, Yea.

Section 3) DURATION OF AGREEMENT:

Change three years to two in first, second, and third line, also, second paragraph in section 3. Change June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2024 in second line. Change third fiscal year to two fiscal year on fourth line. All agree, Sheriff Lesnik wants to table until rest of agreement is done and entertain a termination process

Section 4) EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS: All agree, Yea.

Section 5) COMPENSATION:

Lesnik - Very simple, cost is going up. I provided a spreadsheet of other cities and they pay more; we have to have an increase annually. Pay more or receive less services. Vivirito - County numbers of people going up. Shortfall is in County budget. We pay County and City taxes. Goffena - We are hoping not to Mill, but if we have to, we will. Liggett - I will reserve my comment for now. Long - Would like a shorter term, and to re-negotiate more often. McCleary - No comment at this time. Toombs - I’m not against the Sheriff’s office, the city is strapped. To pay the Sheriff more money, one of four things will happen, 1) Close the pool 2) close the Golf Course, 3) Lay someone off, 4) Support County wide mill levy. Mill levees have not gone up, they have gone down. Fisher - I’m stuck in the middle; I use to be in the Sheriff’s position. It’s been a struggle to take care of both the city and county. We can’t keep going the way we are. Would like to commit to some sort of percentage but have no idea where the money would come from, would have to close something. Goffena - County is in same situation. We have the COVID money. New budget should be interesting. What about city mills? Mayor Jones - We cannot mill for law enforcement. Pancratz - We need to come up with an agreement that the city can live with. Turley - I agree with what Bob just said, subject to CI121 passing. Lesnik - There is not an empty house left in town, population increased. There is more people to serve in town. We have had the same budget for 8 years, Liggett - There are good points on both sides. Cost is going up, revenue isn’t. Let’s revisit every two years, we need to pay our fair share. Let’s first see what happens with CI121. Mayor Jones - Is worried about CI121 freezing property taxes, unknown variable, it happened in the 80’s. Long - Makes more sense to visit more often. Carlson - Calls from city, are they State law or City Ordinance enforced? Lesnik - Most are State Law. McCleary - I agree with Dave and Dolly. Lesnik - I see no headway, intent was to move forward. Mayor Jones - I’m not comfortable kicking the can. We need some incentive from the city. We can’t do without Law enforcement.

Mayor Jones - Intent to increase:

Vivirito - Compromise every 3 yrs., kick in 2% increase.

Liggett - 2yrs with a 2% increase and re-negotiate. Help sponsor a mill is a high priority.

Long - Not hung up on compensation, increase it and reduce duration to 2 yrs.

Carlson - Agree

McCleary - 2%, 2 yrs.

Toombs - Not a problem with 2%, but I want to know where the fine money for the city is going. I think it’s supposed to come back to the city. It’s $35,000.00 to $50,000.00 a year, we can use that to increase sheriff’s office budget.

Pancratz - We don’t know where that money goes.

Turley - We will have to check into it, it’s not going into the general fund but can go into my kick back fund.

Attorney Brooks - Statue says it goes into the general fund.

Fisher - I’m good with 2% with court fine money to be determined.

Consensus: 2 years, 2% increase contingent on CI121.

Section 6) MONTHLY AND QUARTLERLY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

a. All agree after agreeing the city will receive written monthly activity report for both City and County. Yea.

b.

All agree, Yea.

c.

All agree, Yea.

Section 7) DISPOSITION OF ACQUIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT PROPERTY: All Agree, Yea.

Section 8) ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF AGREEMENT: All agree, Yea.

Section 9) PROPERTY FORFEITURES: All agree, Yea.

Section 10) INDEMNIFATION: All agree, Yea.

Section 11) CONSTRUCTION: All agree, Yea.

Section 12) AMENDMENTS: All agree, Yea.

Section 13) SEVERABILITY: Change Contractor to County and add MCSO. All agree, Yea

Section 14) AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE: All agree, Yea.

Pancratz would like a section 15 - Termination process - Transition time/plan; 120 - day grace time. 1 year to terminate. Sheriff Lesnik said he could never see that happen, but would like it included.

Long - Reasons and causes for termination? Attorney Brooks will come up with something and add for review.

Commissioners said they would help with up - keep of pool. Mayor Jones will send a copy to the County of the budget for pool.

Public Comment: Bonadee Hagstrom - $100,000.00 out of an $800,000.00 budget is nothing for city to pay. The negativity is ridiculous. Lesnik - This is the first time there is no screaming when bringing a City Council and County Commissioners together. County wants to help the city.

Adjourned the meeting at 7:32 pm.