Vol. 32 No. 11 NOVEMBER 2003

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE

CARLA SMITH RETIRES

GRANT WINNERS

ACLU LAWSUIT

P I L T FUNDING

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

ART KLEINJAN HONORED

NATIONAL MEDICAL STOCKPILE

COUNTY NEWS

JANITORIAL ERGONOMICS

MACo BOARD MEETINGS

NACO REPORTS

LAND USE PLANNING

NOVEMBER WORKSHOPS

November 10 Miles City; Town & Country Club; 9:30 am

November 12 Lewistown; Yogo Inn--Sapphire A Room; 9:30 am

November 14 Missoula, Holiday Inn Parkside--Ballroom C; 9:30 am

The training sessions are designed to include county planning staffs, county planning boards and any employees who work with land development. The training session is offered to JPIA member counties at no charge. Non-member counties are invited to attend, with a $100 per person fee. Lunch will be provided at each location to allow informal discussion among the participants.

There will be a general presentation about the law which governs land use decisions in Montana: MCA Title 76, Chapters 1 through 3 (with the exception of Chapter 2, Part 3, which addresses municipal zoning).

The materials and presentation will emphasize the subdivision review process, zoning requirements, Senate Bill 326 and its effect on growth policies and the law incorporating growth policies.

Two other areas of the law which will be reviewed are: (1) the Public Participation Act and the Open Meeting Act, after House Bill 94; and (2) an explanation of the history of and present status of the Building Construction Standards law.

Finally, there will be a discussion of court decisions made over the years as well as a discussion of the claims made in litigation.

Attendees are encouraged to contact Myra Shults at (406) 549-7224 prior to the training, if a county has a particular issue for discussion. This is an opportunity to bring questions and copies of county subdivision regulations or growth policies for discussion. Discussing actual situations which are important to the participants, in a round table setting, will provide a break from an all-day lecture.

Even if there are only a few development pressures now in any one county, come to the workshop. When that first subdivision comes in, this workshop will establish a strong frame of reference.

In addition, the County Attorney Association will help organize a session for county attorneys and/or attorneys interested in land use, to be held early next year.

CARLA SMITH RETIRES FROM MACo

Carla Smith, MACo Financial Officer, will retire from MACo at the end of December. Her last day in the MACo office will be December 12.

Carla came to MACo in June 1994, after she retired as Vice President of the Administration and Finance Department of the State Compensation Insurance Fund.

Carla and her husband, Rick, are planning to move from Helena to Great Falls to be near their daughter and family.

MACo Executive Director Gordon Morris wrote:

“On behalf of myself and the entire MACo staff, I extend my thanks and appreciation to Carla for her service to MACo and counties all across the State. Carla has made a significant contribution to MACo in so many ways. She deserves a big thank you from all of us.

She has asked for “no fanfare” in her farewell and we will honor this request.

We will miss her as she moves to a new place in her life plan. Sincere wishes go to her and her husband, Rick, as they relocate.

Best wishes to Carla!”

Note: Interviews for Carla’s replacement were conducted October 24--29.

WE GIVE THANKS

For county officials and employees

For our family and friends

For the State of Montana

HAPPY

THANKSGIVING!

RURAL COUNTIES MATTER

NACo is compiling information on why rural America matters and needs help with examples. Specifically, NACo is collecting county profiles from rural county members on why each county is unique and brings value to all America. For example, does your county have a national park or provide special tourism? Does your county lead the nation in production of a item or crop? Does your county have an unusual hub?

In addition please add why you think rural America matters and why policymakers and the press should pay heed to the challenges in rural counties. It is NACo’s hope that by telling the stories of rural America, greater focus will be put on the challenges, successes and potential of rural counties.

Please submit your county profile (300 words maximum) to NACo Associate Legislative Director Joe Dunn by email to jdunn@naco.org; by fax 202-942-4281 or mail to NACo’s offices at 440 First Street NW, Washington DC 20001

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for public facilities were awarded to Butte-Silver Bow, Cascade, Dawson and Pondera Counties.

Butte-Silver Bow will replace sidewalks and fire hydrants in a 3-block area and install new sewer and water hook-ups for eleven new homes. ($268,000)

Cascade County will install sewer lines, water mains / meters and connect all households in a rural water district to the Great Falls City system. ($500,000)

Pondera County will expand the nursing home’s Special Care Unit for Alzheimer and long-term care patients. ($302,000)

Dawson County will construct a new Senior Citizens facility. ($500,000)

For the next public facilities grants, projects which are applying for both TSEP and CDBG will be reviewed concurrently. The next Public Facilities Grant applications will be due May 28, 2004.

COUNTIES DISMISSED IN

PUBLIC DEFENDER LAWSUIT

Commissioners for Flathead, Glacier, Lake, Ravalli, and Teton Counties, as well as Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive, had been named as defendants in an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawsuit, claiming that the counties had failed to provide the public defender programs with necessary administrative and financial resources.

At the time the suit was filed, Teton and Glacier Counties relied upon the Ninth Judicial District Court Judge to appoint counsel on a case-by-case basis. The other counties were under year-long flat-fee contracts with individual attorneys located in or near the county seats. One year later, the state assumed all financial responsibility to provide indigent defense.

Butte Silver Bow, Flathead, Lake and Ravalli Counties did not renew their contracts and had no more supervisory or administrative authority over any district court judge assigning indigent defense. Teton and Glacier Counties continued to be served by the District Court Judge.

As a result, on October 3, the plaintiffs filed a dismissal of the claims they had against these counties. The counties agreed to provide the plaintiffs with district court data for three years (FY 2001—FY 2003) including fiscal and budgetary documentation.

NOTE: The State of Montana and Missoula County are still named as defendants in the suit.

WATER GRANT TO PARK COUNTY

Park County was recently awarded a DNRC grant to collect and evaluate surface and ground water data to develop a water resources protection and management plan for northern Park County. The availability and quality of water in northern Park County are under increasing pressures from rapid subdivision developments. In addition, coalbed methane (CBM) development is being considered. Officials have limited information on the aquifers in the region or their interaction with surface water. The number of wells completed in northern Park County between 1990 and 2000 increased by 50--70%. Much of the new development is occurring in rural areas, which puts a strain on wells for potable water and for septic drains for sanitary disposal.
“These funds will be used specifically to identify and evaluate groundwater and surface water systems in the areas of rapid subdivision development, collect groundwater and surface water information in areas of potential coalbed methane development and develop a water resource protection and management plan for northern Park County,” explained Deeda Richard, DNRC Renewable Resource Grant Coordinator.

The deadline for 2004 applications is May 15. For further information about these grants, contact Deeda RIchard at 406-444-6783 or drichard@state.mt.us .

CURRENT P I L T FUNDING

COMPARED TO FULL FUNDING POTENTIAL

COUNTY		2003		FULL
ANAC-DEER LODGE		$ 261,459		$ 388,231
BEAVERHEAD		513,222		1,111,443
BIG HORN		55,158		81,902
BLAINE		356,195		627,574
BROADWATER		373,475		554,558
BUTTE-SILVER BOW		289,047		429,194
CARBON		613,244		1,121,679
CARTER		110,473		250,137
CASCADE		271,612		403,305
CHOUTEAU		205,380		304,960
CUSTER		445,354		661,939
DANIELS		267		397
DAWSON		86,319		128,172
FALLON		109,765		167,894
FERGUS		637,201		946,894
FLATHEAD		658,999		1,094,835
GALLATIN		904,550		1,343,129
GARFIELD		111,887		231,563
GLACIER		542,789		805,965
GOLDEN VALLEY		40,070		59,499
GRANITE		127,993		268,851
HILL		64,506		95,783
JEFFERSON		547,266		988,329
JUDITH BASIN		168,792		396,354
LAKE		154,525		229,448
LEWIS & CLARK		1,251,357		1,421,728
LIBERTY		45,169		67,069
LINCOLN		317,881		472,008
MADISON	$ 487,840		$ 1,079,134
McCONE	163,478		359,871
MEAGHER	111,745		290,363
MINERAL	116,858		232,125
MISSOULA	628,542		933,296
MUSSELSHELL	99,470		149,996
PARK	792,382		1,431,136
PETROLEUM	45,482		90,461
PHILLIPS	261,231		679,055
PONDERA	134,477		199,680
POWDER RIVER	141,855		327,892
POWELL	340,988		861,080
PRAIRIE	82,275		201,313
RAVALLI	1,371,653		1,432,835
RICHLAND	70,679		104,948
ROOSEVELT	5,528		8,208
ROSEBUD	433,077		643,058
SANDERS	166,332		246,980
SHERIDAN	2,412		3,581
STILLWATER	247,114		366,930
SWEET GRASS	306,812		576,332
TETON	356,992		530,083
TOOLE	61,066		90,674
TREASURE	979		1,454
VALLEY	524,356		1,136,833
WHEATLAND	82,134		121,958
WIBAUX	35,481		52,684
YELLOWSTONE	103,419		153,897

MACo ASSOCIATE MEMBERS--ELECTED OFFICIALS

ASSESSORS

President Cele Pohle, Powell County

ATTORNEYS

President Brad Light, Cascade County
MACo Board of Directors--Leo Gallagher, Lewis and Clark County

CLERKS AND RECORDERS

President Paulette DeHart (MACo Board), Lewis & Clark County

CLERKS OF DISTRICT COURTS

President Cheryle L. Demmon, Mineral County

MACo Board of Directors--Marilyn Hollister, Rosebud County

CORONERS

President Bill Jones, Yellowstone County

MACo Board of Directors--Joseph Christiaens, Pondera County

MAGISTRATES

President John Seiffert, Carbon County

MACo Board of Directors--Gary Olsen, Broadwater County

SHERIFF AND PEACE OFFICERS

President Greg Hintz, Missoula County

MACo Board of Directors--John Strandell, Cascade County

SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS

President Dottie Donovan, Beaverhead County

MACo Board of Directors--Karla Christensen, Garfield County

TREASURERS

President Carol Bean (MACo Board), Custer County

ART KLEINJAN HONORED

Art Kleinjan, Blaine County Commissioner, received the Montana Council of Community Mental Health Centers Award at the Regional Council of Behavioral Healthcare Centers Conference in Breckenridge, Colorado. This award recognizes the contributions he has made on the Board of Golden Triangle Community Mental Health Center, as well as his advocacy for mental health consumers and services statewide.

He served on the Board for 20 years and has been the chair for over 15 years. He worked with three different Executive Directors. He helped start the local advisory board – the only one in the region that has run continuously.

Art is a strong advocate and an effective spokesman for people who suffer from mental illness. He consistently drives 460 miles round trip to Helena to attend meetings or to testify. He supported the successful effort to pass Montana’s mental health insurance parity law.

Although this award is for his accomplishments in support of mental health, it is only a small part of Art’s community involvement.

Art serves on the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home Board, chairs the Bear Paw Economic Development Board and chairs the Montana Association of Oil, Gas and Coal Counties. He was appointed by US Secretary of Interior to the BLM Resource Advisory Council and chaired the Governor’s Task Force to resolve issues related to the Missouri River Breaks National Monument.

Art also has been a 4H leader for 30 years and was inducted into the Montana 4H Foundation Hall of Fame in 2001. He is a volunteer fireman, has twice chaired the Eagles Lodge and is active in his church’s parish board.

His style is open and direct. You know where you stand with him and he will always listen to other points of view. A Navy veteran, he has been a rancher for most of his life. He and his wife, Alice, have 5 children, 19 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE

The purpose of the Strategic National Stockpile is to augment state and local medical supplies in response to terrorism, natural disasters or industrial accidents. The Stockpile has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to get 50 tons (a 747 wide-body jet) of antibiotics and medical supplies anywhere in the country within 12 hours.

Congress created the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in 1999. It is owned by the Department of Homeland Security and it is managed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to responding to disasters, the SNS can also provide training, guidance, evaluation and planning assistance to state and local governments.

The complexities of planning and implementation for a disaster, which might require the services of SNA, are frequently underestimated, according to Richard Nolan. He spoke recently at the Carbon County Health Board meeting. “The critical actions in any response are the efforts of the state and local authorities to move the supplies we deliver to those who need them. Those efforts involve receiving, storing, staging, distributing and dispensing the supplies.”

The Montana contact and coordinator for SNS is Art Bicsak in the MT Department of Public Health and Human Services.

IN MEMORIAM

Former Richland County Commissioner Eugene Iversen passed away in October. Iversen served on the Richland County Commission from 1984-1990.

In addition to his local government service, he and his wife, Louise, owned a school bus business and Gene’s Equipment. He was known as “Mean Gene” to many school bus riders. He retired to work part time at Sidney Red-E-Mix and for the Beet Growers Association.

He trained several horses for roping, racing and riding in annual wagon trains.

He is survived by his wife, four children and their families.

IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS FOR 9-1-1

The Public Safety Foundation of America (PSFA) distributes funds to assist public safety communication agencies. The final round of grants will be in December.

The application process involves a pre-application questionnaire to verify that the applicant’s project is within PSFA funding priorities. The Pre-application Questionnaire and the grant guidelines are available online at www.PSFA.US

If the pre-application is accepted, the agency is assigned a grant number and a full month will be allowed to complete the application.

PSFA is encouraging electronic submissions of grant pre-applications. In addition, the pre-application can be requested by email (PSFA@APCO911.org) or by phone 386-322-2500 or by FAX 386-944-2730.

Round Four: Pre-application due Dec. 5 and Application due Jan. 2

COUNTY NEWS

NEW OFFICIALS

BEAVERHEAD COUNTY Attorney is Marvin McCann, who was appointed to replace Michael Riley.

ANACONDA-DEER LODGE appointed Janice Thomas as the new Treasurer. She replaces Patty Donahue, who passed away in July.

GALLATIN COUNTY developed a new County Administrative Officer position and hired Randy Kuyath for the work.

LAND USE / DEVELOPMENT

PARK COUNTY gave preliminary approval for a 931-acre subdivision with 38 residential lots ranging from 6 to 30 acres in a gated community.

LEWIS and CLARK, MADISON, PARK AND RAVALLI COUNTIES were selected to participate in the 2003 Western Community Stewardship Forum. The three-day training session focused on land-use management and techniques to tackle growth issues. The Forum is a joint effort of NACo and the Sonoran Institute. Previous Montana county participants have included CARBON, GALLATIN, and JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

FLATHEAD COUNTY is re-hearing all zoning changes handled since October 2001. Commissioners hold two or three public hearings per day on the 42 zoning changes and text amendments they already approved once.

MISSOULA and YELLOWSTONE COUNTIES are concerned with the lack of city building code inspections in the former donut areas around the cities. A 2003 law ordered cities to turn over building code inspections to state inspectors. Counties may need to establish a process for inspections.

BEAVERHEAD COUNTY housing project drew protest when area landlords expressed frustration over an apartment proposal because the new complex would be tax-exempt.

BUTTE-SILVER BOW granted $1 Million and a 10-year tax break to the company that plans to reopen a copper and molybdenum mine. The mine would reopen this fall and provide about 350 jobs.

RICHLAND COUNTY oil drilling has increased every year. So far this year 175 permits have been issued; there were 224 in 2002; 166 in 2001; 112 in 2000; and 96 in 1999.

Horizontal drilling has gained interest with 162 permits, compared to 20 in 1999.

BUILDINGS and GROUNDS

RAVALLI COUNTY must submit its purchase of the former Marcus Daly Hospital to the voters. The County moved into the building in April 2002 after vast remodeling.

BIG HORN COUNTY executed a buy-sell agreement for the purchase of a gas station across from the courthouse for $55,000.

GALLATIN COUNTY reversed a plan to sell ten acres to the Fair because of environmental clean-up costs. In addition extensive fairgrounds renovations are needed. The Fair Board is considering a ballot measure for funding.

SHERIDAN COUNTY has been asked to assume ownership of an unlicensed mausoleum.

FERGUS COUNTY Fair Board would like to become an independent entity to manage the county fair. At issue are the budget and employee compensation.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

BIG HORN COUNTY’S five-year pact to provide law enforcement for the City of Hardin ended. They are in process of considering a city police department, after nearly 25 years of county services for the city.

BUTTE-SILVER BOW added a $10 surcharge for each traffic violation to help finance two additional traffic enforcement officers.

YELLOWSTONE COUNTY has been asked to forgive a $37,000 bill to the City of Billings for housing misdemeanor offenders of city ordinances.

GALLATIN COUNTY has been offered the technology to allow emergency dispatch operators to locate a wireless caller using 9-1-1. It will allow them to trace the caller’s location to the nearest cell tower.

MEDICAL FACILITIES and NURSING HOMES

PRAIRIE COUNTY closed Prairie Manor, its home for the elderly, after 30 years of operation. The Manor Board hopes to seek grants for remodeling and then re-open.

POWDER RIVER COUNTY will ask voters to approve a special levy to keep Powder River Manor open for its 28 residents. The Manor needs 36 residents to break even financially.

SWEET GRASS COUNTY voters passed a mail ballot to fund deficits faced by the Pioneer Medical Center. 62% of registered voters participated.

FALLON COUNTY received a list of eight major repairs needed for the Fallon Medical Center. The top priority for the hospital is repair and upgrading the boiler system.

JANITORIAL ERGONOMIC RISKS

By

Emelia McEwen, MACo Assistant Risk Manager

Janitorial staffs are the people behind the scenes who make our schools, offices and healthcare facilities clean and safe. Good ergonomic practices can make the difference between a healthy working staff and one that is sidelined with injuries.

Risk factors such as heavy repetitive lifting, prolonged grasping, working in confined spaces, working with toxic chemicals and working in awkward postures can all be present during typical janitorial tasks.

Lifting trash receptacles, hauling and emptying trash and relining the cans are tasks where injuries frequently occur. Cans may be too large and deep, creating awkward, extra-heavy lifts. Limiting the size and weight of trash bags can reduce these hazards. “Framed” receptacles can allow side access for easy trash removal and wheeled collection can make transporting garbage easier.

For handling items such as laundry, spring-loaded platforms can help assist in lifting items from deep bins.

Janitorial crews usually carry their supplies with them. Rolling carts for transporting cleaning supplies and rolling mop buckets should have large, low resistance wheels to enable travel on mixed floorings, door sills and elevator gaps. All wheeled items should be well-maintained to ease transport and to minimize force needed. Handles should be at waist height and heavy items should be pushed, rather than pulled along, to use larger muscle groups.

When mopping, frequently changing movement styles while working (pushing, pulling and moving the mop with the entire body) helps to prevent muscle fatigue.

Housekeeping tasks often involve working with deep sinks. Bending over the sink and handling items can place strain on the back. Placing an overturned dishpan in the bottom of the sink can bring items within an easier reach. Using a small pan at waist height for washing and using the deeper sink for the rinse may be an option, too.

Scrubbing and other deep cleaning tasks are generally the most hand intensive, and cleaning out bathtubs is especially taxing to the upper body. Knee pads for protection is advised. Alternating hands and varying tasks can help to give the small muscles of the hands and forearms a break. Padded non-slip handles are useful for scrub brushes and other cleaning tools. When sweeping, debris should be pushed rather than pulled, and the common pile can later be vacuumed rather than picked up. Chemical cleaners can be used to loosen tough dirt for easier scrubbing as long as ventilation is adequate.

Choosing lightweight vacuum cleaners and those with adjustable height handles will help to minimize shoulder stress and ensure that the equipment fits more than one worker. Proper equipment maintenance can help to reduce the force needed for operation.

Eliminating clutter and quickly cleaning up spills can prevent accidents. Safe chemical and equipment storage and easy access to them can also reduce or prevent accidents.

Good janitorial ergonomics requires an efficient “material flow” plan to help minimize repetitive movements and injuries. Planning an efficient program may take some time, but it can pay off in decreased work-related injuries. Often the staff has the best ideas for efficient work flow, so include all staff in planning the program. Establishing a structured program makes all workers aware of and responsible for their own safety concerns.

Recent Canadian OSHA studies focused on cleaning nursing home properties They included making beds, cleaning bathrooms and tubs, dusting and vacuuming. Cleaning bathtubs and making beds are the most physically awkward and demanding tasks on the upper body. Vacuum cleaners and supply carts are the largest and heaviest pieces of equipment. The study recommended lighter-model vacuums with adjustable height handles, self-propelling motors, and low-noise emissions. The study also identified employee education on correct and safe lifting techniques as a most important injury prevention measure.

MACo BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SYNOPSIS OF MINUTES—SEPTEMBER MEETINGS

MACo FY03 Audit: Tom Swindle, TOS & Associates, presented the MACo FY 2002-03 Audit. He noted that the revenue generated by the GIS project skewed the financials for the year. Expenditures would have exceeded revenues by approximately $40,000. Also, the SWIM Grant would be less than anticipated in the coming year.

MACo Dues Proposal: Dan Watson, Fiscal Officer, outlined the reasons for the dues recommendation. Over the years a concerted effort has been made to maximize revenue sources and keep dues as low as possible. However, this effort has reached its limit. An analysis of the reserves and the decrease in anticipated revenues makes this request necessary.

Board member Mark Rehbein asked what level of reserves was needed. Dan responded that 25% of the expenditure total would be adequate.

1^st Vice President Bill Kennedy suggested restructuring (staffing changes, eliminating a district meeting series, etc.) as a means to reduce expenditures.

Board member Elaine Mann noted that without the increase in dues we might lose more than we would gain in terms of legislation both at the state the federal levels.

Board member Joan Stahl recommended a combination of reductions and an increase. She supports the NACo “Adopt a County” Proposal.

Board member Art Kleinjan appreciated MACo publications but suggested eliminating the multiple copies going to counties.

Fiscal Officer Watson closed by noting that, while there was a one-time increase in dues in 1996, dues have not been adjusted since 1983.

Budget Amendments: Dan Watson, Fiscal Officer, presented the Board with three proposed amendments to the MACo adopted budget for FY 04:

1. NACo Full Membership was adopted without objection.

2. Local Government Center Certification Proposal would develop a 40-hour training agenda for County Commissioners over a 2-year period. MACo would contract with MSU Local Government Center to develop the training materials. The motion passed with Board member Mark Rehbein in opposition.

3. PILT / WIR Assessment—Board member Mark Rehbein stated that he felt the assessment should fund all costs associated with the PILT effort, WIR and Public Lands. With no further discussion the budget amendment was adopted

NACo Public Lands Committee-Beaverhead County Commissioner Donna Sevalstad, Coalition of Forest Counties Chair, suggested adding members from MACo. Many states have multiple representatives and, hence, more votes on important public land issues. The Coalition intends to continue to fund one position and they would like MACo to fund an additional member at approximately $5,000. 1^st Vice President Bill Kennedy suggested eliminating staff participation in WIR and/or Public Land Committee travel as an offset. The Board postponed any action on the request until the Forest Coalition makes a final recommendation

E-government RFP: Executive Director Gordon Morris distributed a proposed RFP for e-government services for counties. Based on Conference discussion and IT Committee review, a meeting with the representatives from both the Clerk and Recorders Association and the Treasurers Association will be set to review and discuss it.

Board Retreat: Executive Director Gordon Morris distributed a draft agenda for the December Board leadership retreat in Butte. A Board meeting with the Tax and Finance Committee to discuss the MACo budget and dues proposal was scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, at 1:00 pm before the Retreat. Board member Tom Hatch intends to canvas his district commissioners on this subject and recommended others do likewise.

Rural-Urban Issue: Executive Director Morris distributed a “Food For Thought” report from the Rural-Urban Study Group. Board member Allan Underdal commented that MACo represents one unit as a whole and counties are all equal.

NACo INFORMATION

HEALTH COMMITTEE

Bill Kennedy, Yellowstone Co.

US Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson acknowledged that counties do need to be included during the Medicare reimbursement debate in Congress. He stated, “Over the last year counties spoke loud and clear and opposed our last recommendations. I will work hard to have the counties at the table.” A subcommittee has been set up by President Karen Miller to meet with Secretary Thompson. I will represent Montana and rural counties at the meeting later this year.

The major issues for our Congressional agenda include:

a) Medicare Reimbursement

b) Pharmacy Plan (National Drug Program)

c) Children’s Health Insurance

d) Rural Hospital Funding

e) Behavioral Health

The Health Steering Committee is looking for input on rural health care. Please forward to me your problems in providing healthcare, hospital and nursing home coverage in your communities. Rural ambulance service is a hot issue and I ask for your assistance on information.

President Karen Miller appointed me as Vice Chair of the Health Steering Committee and Rural Action Caucus for year 2004. I am honored to serve as your representative.

Please give me your feedback at bkennedy@co.yellowstone.mt.us or Fax (406) 256-2777 or call (406) 256-2701.

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Carol Brooker, Sanders County

1. The committee reviewed House and Senate efforts with respect to Workforce Investment Act reauthorization, noting that the House bill reflected some substantial changes in favor of local governance. This was achieved through a consortium of organizations working with the bill’s principle author, Rep. Buck McKeon.