County Offers Support Letter For Irrigation Project
Pumping Plants Upgrade
The Roosevelt County Commissioners agreed to provide the Fort Peck Tribes with a letter of support for the Fort Peck Irrigation Project’s pumping plants upgrade proposal.
The tribes are requesting $3,200 in Congressional Directed Spending for the federal government’s 2026 fiscal year funding cycle. The money will be spent to upgrade the Wiota pumping plant and Frazer pumping plant with improved operational efficiency including variable frequency drives and flow meters. These upgrades will allow for increased pump efficiency, resulting in significant energy savings, water savings and reduced operational spills. The propose project will install new 2300V variable frequency drives on each pump motor, enabling operations to adjust the flow output of each pump.
“The project aims to enhance water conservation, reduce energy consumption, improve irrigation water management and minimize spills to the Missouri River,” commissioners wrote. After U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy will make recommendations from the requests received, the federal appropriations committee determines final selections on which projects get included in legislation.
During commissioners’ reports, Commissioner Gordon Oelkers said he met with fire chiefs and that the new electronic burn ban service will soon be available. Residents who wish to obtain a burning permit, will be able to do the entire process online. There will be a link on the county’s website for the service.
“Roosevelt County is really fortunate,” Oelkers said. “We have a good chief in each community.”
Commissioners approved a resolution to cancel personal property taxes delinquent for five years or more for a trailer house and a resolution to cancel real property taxes delinquent for five year or more for other properties. Commissioners explained that the property owners still own for five years. The action is to prepare for a tax deed sale if the locations aren’t cleaned up.
Julie Bach was reappointed to the health board.
Hired were Mary Drake for the Culbertson library and Jarrett Smidt as a deputy for the county’s sheriff’s office.
