Granite County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Granite County meetings set stage for budget votes, ballot issue, and courthouse security upgrades

Granite County officials packed the last two weeks with agenda items covering county and library budgets, a November ballot issue on local government review, propane contracts, jail equipment, and courthouse security. All recent meetings listed below were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published, so no outcomes or vote tallies are available. Readers should treat the items as scheduled for discussion or action, not as final decisions.

County Commissioners — July 21

The Granite County Commissioners posted an agenda covering several operational matters: a pre-buy propane contract with Energy Partners for the Solid Waste and Road Departments, a proposal for new evidence lockers at the Granite County Jail Building, an easement to the Town of Philipsburg for a water service line, and Federal Forest Reserve / Secure Rural Schools' funding allocations for FY 2026-2027. The board was also scheduled to review ballot language for the 2026 General Election regarding a Local Government Review Study Commission's final report. Minutes are not yet published.

County Commissioners — July 28

A second commissioners session was set to begin with public comment and approval of past minutes. Major items on the agenda included a decision on the final Philipsburg Area Interjurisdictional Library District Budget for 2026-2027, a work session on the Granite County budget for FY 2026-2027 with preliminary decisions, and a first reading of Resolution 2026-8 calling for a ballot issue election based on the Local Government Review Study Commission final report. Other scheduled discussions covered road and bridge reports, public safety signs, solid waste issues including a customer incident at the courthouse, Georgetown Lake dam outflow, two encroachment permits, and an update on fire restrictions in Granite County. Minutes are not yet published.

Philipsburg Community Library Board of Trustees — July 21

The Library Board agenda listed approval of the 2026–27 library budget, adoption of meeting minutes, and review of policy documents being moved to a shared Google Drive. Members were also scheduled to discuss a memorandum of understanding for an AED, a new tenant for Office C (all offices currently rented), a $25,000 mortgage payment request using 2025 fundraising funds, and a $5,920.50 amendment to the Friends agreement. Minutes are not yet published.

MT Opioid Abatement Region 4 Board — July 22

An agenda posted under this body listed items matching the Library Board agenda: approval of the 2026-27 budget, an MOU for an AED, a new tenant in Office C, a request for a $25,000 payment on the mortgage using 2025 fundraising monies, and an amendment to the Friends agreement for a final mortgage payment of $5,920.50. The summary also referenced a request for assistance with a Rotary concert setup. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **County Commissioners — August 4, 2026:** Second reading and adoption of Resolution 2026-8 calling for a ballot issue election for the November 3, 2026 General Election. Also on the agenda: an MOU between Gallatin County and Granite County for juvenile services, Area V Contract Modifications for SFY 2027, an encroachment permit application for a driveway at the Rock Creek Subdivision, and panic buttons and a camera system for the Granite County Courthouse Building.

Because minutes from the July meetings have not been published, this roundup reports only what was on each agenda. Final outcomes, vote tallies, and dollar figures approved will be confirmed once the official minutes are available.

County commissioners set to decide library budget, ballot issue, and fire restrictions July 28

Granite County residents have a consequential week ahead, with commissioners scheduled July 28 to vote on the final Philipsburg Area Interjurisdictional Library District budget for 2026-2027, hold a work session on the county's FY2026-2027 budget, and take a first reading of a resolution that would place a Local Government Review Study Commission recommendation on the November ballot.

None of the county's recent meetings have published minutes yet, so what was actually decided at those sessions remains unconfirmed. All items below reflect what was posted on agendas.

County Commissioners

The commissioners met July 14 and July 21. The July 14 agenda included a legislative update on proposed Montana Code amendments (including changes to MCA 45-8-209), a Flint Creek Dam Comprehensive Assessment workshop update with HDR, an encroachment permit for a new approach along Boulder Creek Road, a Philipsburg Cemetery District No. 1 account balance and operational update, and implementation of a new electronic timesheet system with the Clerk and Recorder's Office.

The July 21 agenda included ballot language for the 2026 General Election regarding the Local Government Review Study Commission's final report, an Energy Partners pre-buy propane contract for the Solid Waste and Road Departments, a proposal for new evidence lockers at the Granite County Jail Building, an easement to the Town of Philipsburg for a water service line, and Federal Forest Reserve / Secure Rural Schools funding allocations for FY 2026-2027.

Airport Board

The Granite County Airport Board met July 15. The agenda called for discussion and a recommendation on the airfield budget for the county commissioners, an update on the current airfield power supply from NW Energy, follow-up on hangar lease rates, and an update on Drummond Airfield and Riddick Field, including the future of runway lights and beacon. The board also planned to review a June 23 County Commissioners meeting regarding airfield future plans.

Local Government Review Study Commission

The Study Commission met July 15 to review its adopted final report and discuss whether to issue a minority report. The agenda was procedural — no rezonings, contracts, or fee changes were listed. Members planned to set a date to appear before the County Commission.

Philipsburg Community Library Board

The Library Board met July 21 and again July 22. Both agendas listed approval of the 2026-27 library budget, a memorandum of understanding for an AED acquisition, a new tenant for Office C (with all offices currently rented), a request for a $25,000 mortgage payment using 2025 fundraising funds, and an amendment to the Friends agreement for a final payment of $5,920.50.

Coming up

County Commissioners — July 28, 2026. The agenda includes a decision on the proposed final Philipsburg Area Interjurisdictional Library District Budget for 2026-2027, a work session on the Granite County FY2026-2027 budgets with preliminary decisions, a first reading of Resolution 2026-8 calling for a ballot issue election based on the Local Government Review Study Commission final report, an encroachment permit application for a well site and new approach/building along Boulder Creek Road, and an update and decision on fire restrictions in Granite County. Other listed items cover road and bridge reports, public safety signs, solid waste issues including a customer incident at the courthouse, Georgetown Lake dam outflow, and a second encroachment permit.

County commissioners renew Home Companion program, keep dam releases at 70 CFS

Granite County commissioners took their most significant votes of the past two weeks on July 7, unanimously renewing the Area V Home Companion Program agreement with Granite County Medical Center for FY 2026-2027 and voting to continue dam outflow at roughly 70 cubic feet per second. Both votes were unanimous.

County Commissioners — July 7

The board accepted the June 30, 2026 minutes unanimously, then voted unanimously on two substantive items: the Home Companion Program renewal and the continued dam-outflow operation at approximately 70 CFS.

Commissioners directed staff to request proof of insurance and a traffic-control plan from the Granite Road haul-truck operator. Staff were also tasked with obtaining options and costs for a new courthouse panic-button system and security cameras.

The board tabled a proposal to donate unused county computers, pending information on data-wiping costs. Commissioner Kulaski was assigned to coordinate with residents on placement of two solar-powered speed signs on Georgetown Lake Road. Staff were directed to continue documenting road-crew activities electronically or on hard copy.

County Commissioners — July 14 (agenda only)

Minutes have not yet been published for the July 14 session. The agenda listed a legislative update on proposed Montana Code amendments, including changes to MCA 45-8-209, and a workshop update on the Flint Creek Dam Comprehensive Assessment with HDR. Also on the agenda: an encroachment permit for a new approach along Boulder Creek Road, a Philipsburg Cemetery District No. 1 account balance and operational update, and implementation of a new electronic timesheet system with the Clerk and Recorder's Office.

Airport Board — July 15 (agenda only)

The Granite County Airport Board agenda included discussion and a recommendation on the airfield budget for county commissioners, an update on the current airfield power supply from NW Energy, follow-up on hangar lease rates, and an update on Drummond Airfield and Riddick Field, including the future of runway lights and the beacon. The board also planned to review the June 23 county commissioners meeting on airfield future plans. No minutes are available yet.

Study Commission — July 15 (agenda only)

The Local Government Review Study Commission was scheduled to review its adopted final report and decide whether to issue a minority report. The agenda described the meeting as procedural, with no rezonings, contracts, or fee changes. Members also planned to set a date to appear on the County Commission agenda.

Library Board — July 6 (agenda only)

The Philipsburg Community Library Board of Trustees agenda listed a review of the 2026-2027 budget with no action scheduled, plus discussion of an encroachment recommendation to present to county commissioners on July 28, 2026.

Coming up

• **July 21 — County Commissioners:** Review of 2026 General Election ballot language regarding the Local Government Review Study Commission's final report; Energy Partners Pre-Buy Propane Contract for Solid Waste and Road Departments; proposal for new evidence lockers at the Granite County Jail Building; easement to the Town of Philipsburg for a water service line; and Federal Forest Reserve / Secure Rural Schools funding allocations for FY 2026-2027.
• **July 21 — Philipsburg Community Library Board:** Consideration of the 2026-27 budget, an MOU for AED acquisition, a new tenant for Office C, a $25,000 mortgage payment request using 2025 fundraising funds, and a $5,920.50 amendment to the Friends agreement.
• **July 22 — MT Opioid Abatement Region 4 Board:** Agenda lists the same library budget and AED items, plus a request for assistance with a Rotary concert setup.