Shelly Burke

This Housing Action Plan addresses the significant affordable housing challenges in Madison County, Montana, driven by population growth and escalating housing costs. The plan outlines a comprehensive strategy centered on nine key action items: extending the Housing Coordinator contract, formalizing partnerships with housing agencies, maintaining an inventory of land suitable for affordable housing development, securing grant and loan funding, creating a county housing fund, initiating pilot projects in incorporated communities, preserving existing manufactured homes, sharing housing information, and advocating for regulatory amendments. The overarching goal is to increase the supply of affordable housing, support the local workforce, and ensure long-term affordability for residents within the county.

The meeting included discussions on Madison County Courthouse Rehabilitation and Addition, Sheridan SID, MVM van bid opening, and sensitive lands mapping RFP bid opening.

The meeting included discussions on the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget and mill levy requirements. There were apologies for claims of underollections, which turned out to be overolctions. The budget is expected to see significant reductions in taxable revenue for the fire district. A public comment was made about the difficulty in comparing the total expenditure number for the budget to last year. The board also approved special district worksheet budget forms for various districts including cemetery funds, fire districts, soil funds, and others.

The meeting included discussions and decisions on various topics. The commissioners considered a letter of support for the Twin Bridges affordable housing project and discussed the Madison County Courthouse Rehabilitation and Addition. Updates were provided on the MSU Extension annual contract, Ennis Rodeo Grounds Fence, and the Senior Meal Program expansion to Alder. Additionally, there were discussions regarding street repairs in Sheridan, a board application for the Mental Health Local Advisory Board, and a letter of support for Action Inc. The board also addressed the Senior Bus Garage location, job description and wage approval for budget analysts, budget amendments for the Sheriff Bank account and ARPA, a resolution for the Riverside Park LWCF Grant Application, and the purchase of a Sanitarian iPad.

The meeting included discussions on various topics such as a request to increase the district's annual road maintenance assessment, drone liability insurance, and an RFP bid request for a loader. The board also discussed and approved a contract for the SMA Twin Bridges Fairground pavilion project and the use of Stripe as a credit card processor for the fairgrounds. Additionally, there was a public hearing and first reading of an ordinance adopting the Madison County Land Resources and Use fee schedule, as well as discussions on an exempt amended plat and a material change determination for Moonlight Basin West One condo lot one plat amendment.