County Commissioners Finalize, Approve Year’s Budget

The Roosevelt County Commissioners finalized and approved their budget during their weekly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

The budget increased by 2.4 percent compared to last year. The increase is determined based on a percentage of the rate of inflation during the three previous years.

Tax valuation for Roosevelt County is $31,998,000, which is just a slight increase during the last 10 years. The tax valuation was $31,746,013 in 2022.

“Oil money has helped us,” Commissioner Gordon Oelkers said.

He added that the county tries to keep the budget pretty tight but also provide a little bit of a surplus.

Also during the meeting, commissioners approved task orders for Road 1011 between Culbertson and Bainville and Road 1071 near Columbia Grain in Wolf Point.

Work on Road 1011 will include improving drainage and conducting a study regarding future improvements. This summer, commissioners agreed to look at options for the road after receiving concerns from residents. Commissioners explained there has been an increase in oil traffic on the road. During peak traffic time, about 20 trucks an hour use the road. There are at least 100 trucks on the road per day.

The work on Road 1071 will feature having a contractor apply a dust suppression product. If the product is successful, the county might have it added to other county roads.

Commissioners approved $27,020.77 for new DES radios for the sheriff’s office. America Rescue Plan funds will be utilized for the costs.

The county will use CARES act funds to purchase a new vehicle for the sheriff’s office. Cost is $51,255 for the 2024 vehicle from Fox Ford.

Commissioners approved to have two hydrants replaced in Brockton.

Hired were Amy Heller for the Froid Library and Penni Benkler as clerk for the justice of the peace office in Culbertson.