Oelkers Provides Information During Legislative Session

Roosevelt County Commissioner Gordon Oelkers was busy testifying on bills which could impact the area during committee hearings in Helena on Feb. 10-14.

“It’s good to go down and meet with our representatives,” Oelkers said.

He noted that he spent time discussing issues with Rep. Valerie Moore, R-Plentywood, Rep. Frank Smith, D-Poplar, and Sen. Gregg Hunter, R-Glasgow.

Oelkers testified regarding a bill that would require a 1 percent longevity pay increase to jailers throughout the state. Oelkers explains that Roosevelt County already pays that amount through its union contract.

“We wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to double up,” he said.

Oelkers also testified on a bill that county treasurers’ opposed. He said several amendments need to be made on that proposal.

On Friday, Feb. 14, Oelkers gave supportive testimony regarding bringing the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame back to Montana. Oelkers said he wasn’t involved in the initial recruitment in Wolf Point, but he feels it would be a positive addition for Wolf Point, Roosevelt County and the Fort Peck Reservation.

He is keeping his eye on two sales tax related bills.

LC 1051 regards a local option property tax relief act where countries would vote in a sales tax targeting items with the taxes collected to property tax relief.

House Bill 507 would be a statewide 4 percent sales tax for K-12 education.

“We need a new source of money so we are a three legged tax state,” Oelkers said. “But we need restrictions so the percent can not go up, and we need property tax relief that is not just a shift from one property class to another.”