County Commissioners Approve Bids For Gravel
The Roosevelt County Commissioners accepted two bids for gravel during their meeting held last week.
One bid was 40,000 tons at $3.25 per ton plus $1.15 landowner royalty stockpiled north of Poplar for a total of $96,800. The other bid accepted was from Bishop Inc. for 20,000 tons to be crushed and stockpiled at the Picard Pit with a mobilization fee of $15,000 for a total of $125,000.
The commissioners also approved the purchase of four vehicles for the sheriff’s office. The vehicles were all purchased locally. The vehicles included two 2025 Ford Explorer Police Interceptors for $48,500 each, one 2025 Ford F-150 Crew Cab STX for $50,250 and a 2025 Ram 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab 4X4 for $56,200.
Commissioners approved an addendum to the county’s policy for pay and benefits. The change reads, “If an employee retires, quits or is terminated, their final paycheck will be paid on the current payroll cycle.” Previously, a special payment was made.
During commissioners’ reports, Commissioner Gordon Oelkers said he attended the Montana Petroleum Association meeting held in Billings. He had the opportunity to hear from individuals involved in leasing.
“I think the oil industry in our area is getting stronger and stronger as we go,” Oelkers said.
Commissioners said a representative from U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy’s office stopped by for a visit. Topics included maintaining Amtrak service, the corner-crossing land issue, fentanyl trafficking on Amtrak and a proposed fertilizer plant near Culbertson.
Oelkers will attend the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority meeting in Billings. The group is urging the establishment of the North Coast Hiawatha route, which would include stops in Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Butte and Missoula.
Oelkers said 99 percent of the people there will be in favor of the service, while he will be the 1 percent against it because of concerns that it would lead to the possible elimination of existing services in Montana’s northern communities.
“They’re pushing for it, and I’m pushing against it,” he said.
He added that about 80 percent of the state’s population lives on the proposed new route, so he’s worried that those votes would sway legislators.
