Roosevelt County Provides Letter To Support Train Extension

Roosevelt County Commissioners approved sending a letter of support for an Amtrak extension near Malta during their meeting on Tuesday, April 11.

The proposal aims to create double railroad tracks for a 15-mile span in order to improve service for Amtrak. The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is teaming up with Amtrak to apply for funding through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Federal State Partnership program.

The project is anticipated to benefit both freight and passenger trains. The grant request is for $10 million.

Commissioner Gary Macdonald made the motion to approve the letter of support. The motion was seconded by commissioner Robert Toavs and was approved unanimously.

Commissioners officially approved the redistricting maps for the new commissioner districts. The changes were needed because District I, which commissioner Gordon Oelkers represents, had 400 more people than the other two districts.

Clayton Vine, Roosevelt County GIS administrator, conducted detailed work to come up with the proposal.

With the change, the population changes to 3,791 for District 1, 3,420 for District 2 and 3,583 for District 3. The difference follows the state’s requirement to be within 10 percent of each district.

Commissioners voted to suspend the fee for the Justice of the Peace and City Judge clerical staff for the City of Wolf Point until a new employee is hired.

Robbie Dent-Savelkoul was appointed as trustee for the Hospital Tax District 17, 64 and 65.

Commissioners approved the hiring of Katie Macdonald at the Roosevelt County Health Department.

Pay raises were approved for Erika Boxer for dispatch, Ty Smith for the treasurer’s office, Travis Redekopp for the detention center and Clarice Challstrom for aging services.

During public comment, resident Bill Juve thanked Disaster and Emergency Services for providing sand bags and sand in case of flooding.