County commission looks at online budget displays

In their weekly business meeting Thursday, the Hill County Commissioners discussed the potential merits of implementing the ClearGov budget program, and passed a resolution to allow for the application for a planning grant for improvements to the Box Elder Water and Sewer System.

The commissioners said the resolution, which passed unanimously, would allow them to devote $60,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds as the match for this grant from the Montana Coal Endowment Program.

After passing that resolution the commission discussed the possibility of implementing the ClearGov budget program, which would create a website that pulls data from the county’s accounting system, allowing members of the public to look at and navigate data on how the county spends money more easily.

Hill County Treasurer Sandy Brown and Hill County Clerk and Recorder Sue Armstrong both touted the program’s ability to increase accessibility to this data and increase transparency, but Hill County Commissioner Diane McLean said she wanted more information.

“I don’t feel like I have a lot of information on how this is going to benefit our county to the tune of $11,000,” McLean said.

She said she’s not against the idea, but wants to know more about the program to determine whether it’s worth the money the county would spend.

Armstrong said Brown had discussed the matter with the commission in detail before and that they left the commission a pamphlet with a lot of the information they’re looking for.

“We get pamphlets all the time,” McLean said.

Brown said the program will make it easier for the public to access information that is already public record through a program already used by many counties including ones with less robust accounting systems.

McLean said one thing that would help show it is worth the money was if it could be shown that the program would facilitate how the county does its job.

The matter was tabled after discussion.

The commissioners also tabled a resolution to dissolve the Meadowlark County Water and Sewer District, because its become clear since putting it on the agenda, Hill County Commissioner Mark Peterson said, that there are more necessary steps to do so than anticipated.

He said in an interview earlier in the week that years ago Meadowlark Estates had planned to put in a water and sewer system and applied to become a district, but later decided against creating said system, making the district inactive.

He said because the district was inactive it was not reporting anything to the state and has since racked up some penalties and the commission found that the easiest way to negate those penalties was to dissolve the district.

The commission originally thought it would be a simple process and that they’d be able to dissolve it with a resolution Thursday, Peterson said, but it’s since become clear that it is a more-involved process.

During the meeting the commissioners also voted unanimously to participate in a new cyber security training from the Montana Association of Counties, which McLean said recently got grant money that it’s using to offer counties digital security assessments, and training for all employees.

The commission also announced the resignation of County Deputy Clerk and Recorder of Elections Kimberly Bolta, as well as the official departure of Hill County Building Manager Daryl Anez.

Peterson said the commission is also looking into a temporary replacement for Hill County Attorney Karen Alley, who announced her resignation, while they search for a more permanent replacement.

McLean said they’re also still looking for applicants for the five positions open on the Great Northern Fair Board.