Commissioners Ask Residents To Let County Repair Roads

Roosevelt County commissioners aim to keep the county’s roads in the best condition that they can be maintained. They urge area residents not to take matters into their own hands.

During last week’s commissioners’ meeting, Commissioner Robert Toavs reported that some farmers are making road repairs with their own back blades.

Toavs said the farmers are trying to help but, in reality, they are creating additional problems because the work done is making it more difficult for the county to maintain a crown on the roads.

“You’re dancing with the county’s liability,” Toavs said of the work done by some farmers. “It can cause major issues.”

Also during commissioners’ reports, commissioners Gordon Oelkers and Doug Marottek said they were told during the showing of Cape Air’s commemorative aircraft in Wolf Point that Cape Air is planning to bring eight new planes to Montana.

“That is exciting,” Oelkers said.

All eight planes should be in the state by next June.

Oelkers said the National Association of Counties is promoting a bill for counties to receive Payment In Lieu of Taxes funds when counties lose taxable funds because property becomes trust land.

Commissioners approved a resolution to issue tax deeds for two more properties, one in Poplar and the other in Wolf Point. The property in Wolf Point in located at 229 Fairweather St. Wolf Point Mayor Chris Dschaak has said that the city is willing to clean up the house. The idea is part of a memorandum of understanding with the county. Dschaak is hoping the county helps clean up two other residences in the community.

If the properties aren’t sold, the county can then enter into the MOU. The tax deed sale is scheduled for later in September.