Park County

August Park County Newsletter

Welcome to the Park County Commissioners' monthly newsletter.  Use this newsletter to stay up to date on important updates, upcoming events, and the latest developments from your local government.

This newsletter is released on the first Friday of each month.  If you are viewing this newsletter on the Park County website and wish to receive it directly to your email in the future, please click here to subscribe.  To view this newsletter as a PDF, click here.  A printed copy of the County Newsletter is available at the City-County Complex at 414 E. Callender St. in Livingston.

Park County Budget Update

Park County Commissioners recessed the July 25th Public Hearing for the FY25 Preliminary Budget. The hearing will be continued on Friday, August 23rd at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioner Chambers.

The FY25 Preliminary Budget may be accessed on the Park County homepage, www.parkcounty.org, or may be viewed here.

The Montana Department of Revenue ("DOR") provides 2024 Certified Taxable Valuation information to the counties on August 1st, or within a few days. The taxable values are used to set levies across all entities in Park County.  Information regarding taxable values and levies may be found in the May Park County Newsletter. The County will provide consolidated levies from across the county to the DOR by September 9th. Entities such as fire agencies and schools provide information to the Finance Department. The Treasurer and DOR work together to update the levies for the year.

Final Budget Public Hearing

Park County Commissioners will meet on Thursday, September 5th, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commission Chambers in the City/County Complex at 414 E. Callender Street for the purpose of adopting Park County’s final budget and fixing the tax levies for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. The final budget will be adjusted from the preliminary budget. Starting August 28th, the budget is open to inspection by any person and is available for public review during regular business hours in the Park County Accounting Office. Any taxpayer or resident may appear at the hearing in person or virtually and be heard for or against on any part of the final budget. Written comments on the final budget may be submitted either in person or by mail to the Park County Commissioners, 414 East Callender Street, Livingston, MT 59047, until September 5, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.

For More Information

- To view Certified Taxable Values for 2024 (once available), visit the Montana Department of Revenue page: https://svc.mt.gov/dor/property

- For questions, please call Erica Strickland, Finance Director, at 406-222-4135.

Wildfire and Emergency Preparedness for the Home

By Fire Chief Dann Babcox

Park County Rural Fire District #1

When considering the safety and protection of yourself and your homes, these are some pointers and recommendations for the current fire season or for any emergency. 

  1. Have a generator big enough to power your well and have an electrician wire in a port near your breaker panel for easy swap from the power grid to the generator.  Consult with an electrician about the proper size generator for the well pump and for the amount of electricity you need for your home.
  2. Have a sprinkler kit for use around your buildings to turn on if a fire breaks out anywhere near your home. Turn them on immediately when you know of a fire that could get to your property.
  3. Have a go bag with your important documents, prescriptions, and must have items ready during the fire season.
  4. Have an escape plan and a meeting place predetermined so that family members can meet if unable to communicate via phone.
  5. Clear all vegetation and combustible materials from around the buildings you do not want to start on fire.
  6. Know and understand the difference between fireproof and fire resistant.  Know the limits of the fire-resistant materials you are using.  When it comes to construction, very few things are fireproof.
  7. Know your surroundings and mark your escape route.  When a fire is happening, the smoke will disorient your position, and family members may not be able to find the way when vision has been reduced.
  8. Have a plan for your animals and act sooner rather than later.  If it's going to take time, then make sure your giving yourself plenty of time to do whatever is needed for the protection of your animals.
  9. Practice, practice, practice!!!!  Especially if you have children, imagine scenarios that could happen, not just fire, that will require an emergency exit or action on your part and share it all with your family or occupants of your property. Give everyone a job to do and go over it until it becomes second nature.  Do not practice until you get it right, PRACTICE UNTIL YOU CANNOT GET IT WRONG.
  10. Make the required arrangements for disabled or infirmed family members.  When possible, have a written list of medications or medical needs in case you get separated from them.
  11. Evacuations are not a joke. Do it for the good of your family.  If you are advised to leave then leave, turn on your sprinklers before and go to the meeting place you and your family have chosen.
  12. A charged cell phone is not an emergency plan, it is a small tool to use within your plan. 

How do I... view my property tax bill?

“How do I…?” is a recurring feature of the newsletter that provides readers with information on navigating local government.

To view your property tax bill online:

  • Visit https://itax.tylertech.com/ParkMT/ or click on "2023 Tax Bill" on the Park County homepage www.parkcounty.org
  • Only one criterion is required to search (e.g. Property Tax ID, Owner Name, Property Address, or Geo Code).
  • For owner name searches, it is important to search LastName FirstName. For example, Jones Steve.
  • On the results page, you can view your tax bill, geo code, property tax ID, and a tax breakdown. 

Park County Commissioners

Photo description: Commissioner Story, Commissioner Wells, and Executive Assistant Carly Ahern (filling in for Commissioner Tinsley) participated as judges in the Pie Tasting Contest on Friday, July 26, 2024 at the Fairgrounds Exhibit Building during the Park County Ag Fair (Right photo). Three pies were submitted (Left photo): Blueberry Rhubarb (First place), Dutch Apple (Third place), and Lemon Chiffon (Second place).

UPCOMING MEETINGS

PARK COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS are held every Tuesday at 9:00am and typically take place at the City-County Building, 414 E. Callender St., Livingston, MT, in the Commissioner Chambers unless otherwise indicated. 

  • The Commissioners will have a Workshop on Solid Waste with some of the Board members Wednesday, August 7th at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioner Chambers.

  • The July 25th Public Hearing on the FY25 Preliminary Budget was recessed and will continue Friday, August 23rd at 9:00 a.m. in the Chambers.

Click here to view meetings online

Click here for agendas, video, and meeting minutes

MEET WITH YOUR COMMISSIONERS

Visit with Commissioner Clint Tinsley and Commissioner Wells:

1st Friday of the Month at 9:00am

Two Doors Down Coffee Bakery in Clyde Park

Visit with Commissioner Bryan Wells at the following locations:

2nd Friday of Month at 9:00am

Riverside Hardware *upstairs conference room

107 S Main St, Livingston, MT 59047

4th Wednesday of Month at 9:00am

St. John’s Episcopal Church

8 Story Rd, Emigrant, MT 59027

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

DISTRICT 1- MIKE STORY

Term: 2023-2026

Phone: 406-223-1548

DISTRICT 2- BRYAN WELLS

Term: 2023-2024

Phone: 406-223-9162

DISTRICT 3- CLINT TINSLEY

Term: 2021-2024

Phone: 406-224-3376

County Boards

When county residents serve on county boards and commissions, they volunteer their service for the betterment of local communities and Park County.  Citizens are encouraged to attend board and commission meetings, which are always open to the public.

Board and Commission meeting agendas are posted in the City/County Complex 48 business hours in advance.

Click here to view board meeting agendas and archives

Open Board Seats

Th Solid Waste Board has one open board position for a three-year term, and is accepting applications

The Planning Board has one open board position to fill a vacancy and is accepting applications.

To apply:

  • Complete the Park County Board Application form. Download the form here.
  • Please return applications to Carly Ahern in the County Commissioners office via email at cahern@parkcounty.org or mail to:

Commissioners

414 E. Callender St

Livingston, MT 59047

Work with Us

Join us and experience the job satisfaction that comes with knowing your work directly contributes to the betterment of Park County and its residents.

Click here to view current job opportunities

Spotlight Career Opportunity

Join the Windrider Transit Team!

Park County is seeking a dedicated and friendly Transit Relief Bus Driver to join our Windrider Transit team. This part-time position (10-15 hours per week) is perfect for someone who loves interacting with community members and serving the public. Responsibilities include safely operating buses, providing excellent customer service to passengers, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Candidates must have a valid Montana Driver’s license.

This role offers a rewarding opportunity to engage with diverse community members while delivering reliable and friendly transportation services. Apply online or visit us in person at the Park County Human Resources Office at 414 E Callender St in Livingston to pick up an application. Come join us and make a positive impact in your community!

Note: This is a safety-sensitive position and is subject to drug testing, including pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug tests. Our drug testing policy, aligned with federal regulations, includes marijuana, regardless of its legal status at the state level.

https://jobs.parkcounty.org/jobs/138/Windrider-Transit-Relief-Bus-Driver#job_138

Upcoming Events

2024 Park County Communication Survey Presentation

Tuesday, August 6th during the regularly scheduled Commission meeting at 9:00 a.m.

To view the full report with data, findings, and recommendations, click here.

Workshop on Solid Waste

Wednesday, August 7th at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioner Chambers

Park County Motor Vehicle Department Closed

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Public Hearing on FY25 Preliminary Budget 

Friday, August 23rd at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioner Chambers

Final Budget Public Hearing

Thursday, September 5th at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioner Chambers

Engage with Us

City/County Complex

414 E. Callender St.

Livingston, MT 59047

(406) 222-4100

Click here to submit an inquiry

LET'S CONNECT!

We want to tell you about what we are doing. Your Park County staff is working hard to meet the needs of our community.  Visit our new communications page to sign up for newsletters, email updates, social media, and emergency alerts.  We welcome you to join us in our meetings, engage in the public process, and let us know how we are doing.  

PArk County



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