County Water District of the Billings Heights

I was appointed by the Yellowstone County Commissioners to serve on the Billings Heights Water District and attended my first monthly meeting in September 2020. Members of the public have a right to participate too.  The basis for access to public participation in Montana is the Montana Constitution Article II, Section 8 Right to Participate. State Law MCA 7-13.22.32 which states that the purpose of this board is to oversee the management of the County Water District of Billings Heights. As required by the MT constitution, statutes and case law, the Heights Water Board is required to follow MT Open Meeting law. 

Open Meeting law establishes that agendas and supporting material on which the board may make a decision be available to the public 48 hours in advance of the meeting. A single page of the 12 page agenda is available on the website.

MCA 2-3-203. States “All meetings of public or governmental bodies, boards, bureaus, commissions, agencies of the state, … supported in whole or in part by public funds or expending public funds, … must be open to the public”.  On Wednesday, December 9th, Wynn Pippin who is President of the County Water Board sent an email stating …” we state on our web page that due to the pandemic unless it is for business a person cannot be at the meeting.”  The explanation provided verbally at the meeting was that the public could provide comments in writing that would be read and included with the minutes.  The absurdity of making public comments about items when there is no information defies credulity.  Three members of the water district came to observe the meeting; Duke Nieskens, the director, locked the front door and refused them entrance.

In the November meeting, staff were given Christmas bonuses of $100 each and health insurance rates were confirmed.  At the December meeting, staff were given the refund from the Worker’s Compensation fund to share.  The assistant director passed out 2 pages of salary information, the Board President made a motion to increase salaries for all staff 2.5% which was not seconded.  Roger Ostermiller made a motion to give all staff a 4% raise which was seconded and approved by 5 of the 7 board members.  The salaries for staff were made without consideration for the total increases given for health insurance, bonuses and increase, without preparing an annual budget and explaining to the governing body the impact.  The board had no information at the meeting about cost of living, what the salaries would be for each staff member with the increase, what the total impact would be for the budget.  The comment made was, “our staff are not union” and it does not matter how our increases compare to other employees in Yellowstone County because we have a lean work force.   For reference, social security recipients will see an increase of 1.3% in 2021. 

The Heights Water Board of Billings Heights meets on the second Wednesday of each month, 1540 Popelka Dr, Billings, MT 59105,6:00 pm at their office.  With the exception of myself, no board or staff member wears a mask; the board sits shoulder to shoulder at a table. 

The board is elected by state law.   Three positions are open February 1, 2021. Filing opened up for three seats on December 10th and closes on February 8th. If more than 3 people file, an election will be held on May 4th. Board members are paid $150 per meeting if they attend; $100 if they do not attend.  These are the rules:https:// sosmt.gov/… /2021- Special- Purpose- District… You may download a Declaration for Nomination and Oath of Candidacy here: https://www.co.yellowstone.mt.gov/elections/information/DeclarationForNomination.pdf

If you have questions, you may want to email the Board of Directors CWDBHBoard@ gmail.com or myself pamellis50  @gmail.com   I would be happy to speak with you.

Pam Ellis

2000 Outlook Drive

Billings, MT

By Roger Koopman

The answer to politics is not more politics.  It’s not making eloquent excuses for comprising fundamental principles.  Freedom is what it is.  It doesn’t change, it doesn’t mutate, and it doesn’t hybridize with tyranny.  Breed one with the other, and the offspring is a two-headed carnivore with an insatiable appetite.  Feed it morsels of our liberties and it will only grow larger and demand more, until it’s swallowed up our Constitution for dinner.

In these times of pragmatic politics and pandering politicians, Republican lawmakers wear the moniker “conservative” like a cheap tin badge won at a carnival game. But they soon forget that freedom is not a game.  It is a fight to the finish. Because with so many of our elected officials, politics triumphs over claimed principles, and compromise triumphs over claimed courage, the fight for liberty is becoming a lost cause.

The gradual usurpations are no longer gradual, and we quickly blame the Democrats for that.  But we stand at the brink of tyranny not because Democrats act like Democrats, but because so many Republicans do also.  As candidates, they roar with the rhetoric of freedom, but cower like kittens when called upon to defend it. In Montana and nationally, Republicans have increasingly marched to the drum of pragmatism over principle.  They act as though freedom is a quaint relic, no longer worth fighting for.  They have lost their will and lost their way.

Republicans have also lost their memory.  To honor their oath of office, all lawmakers must serve with a memory.  A memory of the Constitution.  A memory of what America was, and was eternally meant to be.  Democrats’ memory extends as far as the last entitlement, and their vision no farther than the next one.  Their philosophy is a rejection of the very essence of historical America, an assault on the very things that make us distinct as a nation. The bricks and mortar of a free society.  The sweat and the spirit of a free people.

But Republicans have no excuse.  Our platforms and public pronouncements lay claim to the memory.  To the things of liberty.  Less government.  Lower taxes.  Free markets.   Personal sovereignty.  Individual responsibility.  Freedom of choice.  Government – at all levels – staying out of our pockets and out of our lives.  These are the words people want to hear, and the reasons they send Republicans to Helena and Washington.  Why then does government continue to grow when the Republicans are in charge?

What happens to these Republican office holders after they have raised their hands and sworn to uphold the Constitution?   Could the voters be sending off to fight for freedom, people who really don’t believe in the ideas that got them elected?  After serving two terms in the Montana House of Representatives and two terms on the Public Service Commission, I was no closer to answering that question than ever.  Democrats hold fast to their Old World philosophy.  They believe there is a government solution for everything, and they work daily to bring that about.  They are remarkably consistent, and rarely does a single Democrat break ranks with their party’s big government philosophy.  Voting records don’t lie. 

So why can Democrats stand firm on the things that people don’t want, while Republicans cannot stand firm on the things that people do want?  Is the GOP so lacking in the courage of their convictions, or are they simply lacking in conviction?  Certainly, the constant pressure to be a “team player”, bury your personal beliefs and to “go with the flow” leads many legislators to vote for all kinds of interventionist schemes they say they don’t believe in.  The “flow” is always toward more spending and bigger government because the Democrats – anchored in their ideology and reinforced by the special interests – set the agenda, even while in the numerical minority.  But it is also obvious that many Republicans running for office are only fashionably conservative. Their conservatism is at best a preference, not a conviction. Because they have done precious little reading on conservative ideas and free market economics, they are grounded in quicksand.  The media and the culture have shaped their thinking more than they realize.  Peel away the onion skin of party label, and their voting records quickly betray them.

Taxpayer Advisory Bulletin (TAB), compiled by Montana Conservatives for the 2007 through 2013 legislative sessions, using over 100 recorded votes, demonstrated that while Democrat legislators as a group, have an average conservative rating of under 10% (all fall in the “liberal” category), Republican legislators are spread across the entire spectrum, with an average conservative rating in the low 40s.  Approximately 25% of Republicans scoring firmly in the liberal Democrat camp.

This situation not only corrupts the two-party system (leaving voters in many districts with no real choice), but it guarantees that every session of the legislature will move Montana toward bigger and bigger government.  Indeed, this government growth has continued unabated for many decades, even with Republican governors and Republican legislatures.  The formula for our gradual destruction remains the same: all Democrats + moderate and liberal Republicans = the defeat of the conservative philosophy that most Montanans support.  Big Government rules the legislative process every session, and hundreds of government-expanding bills get passed – always with Republican support.  They could pass no other way.

The media then applauds the “bi-partisan spirit” of the legislature in wanting to “get things done.”   Never mind that what they are getting done is robbing our family incomes and burying our liberties in massive new government programs, bureaucracies and controls.  The media never seems to notice that the only “bi-partisanship” that occurs is when Republicans cross over to support liberal legislation.  There is no example of Democrats crossing the aisle to support conservative measures that would reduce the size and power of government.  All bi-partisanship is a one-way street.

So what is the solution, for those of us who still believe freedom is worth fighting for?  Answer:  stop hiring cowards and moral relativists to do a patriot’s job.   Stop electing skillful, smooth-talking politicians who, as C.S. Lewis once put it, are “men without chests.”  If we want to put true champions of freedom to work in our legislature and federal congress, then we must judge them not so much by the intellect, as by the heart.  What do we find there?  Do we find true courage, pure faith and virtue-born conviction?  Do we find rock-solid integrity and uncompromising moral character?  Do we find that same steely-eyed warrior spirit that existed at the founding of our nation?  If we settle for less, we get exactly what we deserve.  For too long, we have settled for less.

We need men whose hearts beat to the rhythm of liberty.  Men like these:

“God, give me men!  A time like these demands

Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;

Men whom the lust of office does not kill;

Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;

Men who possess opinions and a will;

Men who have honor; men who will not lie;

Men who can stand before a demagogue and damn

His treacherous flatteries without winking!

Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog

In public duty and in private thinking.”

—  Josiah Gilbert Holland

By Lowell Cooke, Broker Associate, Coldwell Banker The Brokers

WOW!  That is all I can say about the Billings area real estate market statistics provided by the Billings MLS (Multiple Listing Service). Stats are showing it is undoubtedly a “Sellers” market, right now.

The statistics cover the Billings and surrounding areas, including Roundup, Hardin, Red Lodge as far south as Belfry.  If you have not heard, there is a lack of inventory causing prices to go up and creating multiple and sometimes, frankly, insane offers over asking price.

Supply and Demand  (or Months’ Supply)

A little background, a real estate market is considered “in balance” when there is a 6-month supply of homes.  This means if there are 600 homes on the market and there were 100 sales during that month, there is a 6-month supply (600/100=6).

A “Buyers” market is characterized by the months supply exceeding 6 months and a “Sellers’ market where there is less than a 6-month supply.  For the last several years, our months supply has been in the 4-5-month range-very close to being in balance, or a stable market.

Covid 19 has made a dramatic difference in the “in balance” supply of homes.  While the market was trending towards a sellers’ market earlier this year, by June we saw our first month supply below 2 months and it has continued to drop.  The November supply of homes was 1.27 months.

#Closed Sales, #Listings Taken, Closed $Volume, Average Sales Price

There have been 6.2% fewer listings taken through November of this year compared to 2019 while the number of closed sales increased by 12.3%.  Fewer listings taken, with a record number of sales equals low inventory and increased prices. The closed $ volume has increased an incredible 21.5% with the YTD Average Sales Price increasing from $268,189 to $290,117 for $21,928 or an 8.1% increase.  This compares to about a 4% increase in prices in November 2019 compared to 2018.

Sell, Buy, Hold?

Now that your head is throbbing from all these numbers, what does it mean to sellers and buyers?  The old saying “buy low, sell high” is definitely favoring sellers.  As a seller, the next few months should be a good time to sell as it may be a few months before our market begins to see some stabilization with the introduction of the Covid 19 vaccine.  Sales price increases will most likely begin to flatten out as more sellers decide to sell.  The problem now, is, if you do sell, as a buyer, you may not be able to find a place to move to.  As a buyer, you will still be competing for limited inventory.  Finding a place to rent, while storing your households might be an option. 

Good news is, as a buyer, you will be able to take advantage of low interest rates, which all indications seem to say will remain historically low.  Now you are thinking, “he’s a real estate agent, he wants you to buy and sell.”  Well of course I do, but as far as the consumer is concerned, home ownership is one of the most cherished aspects of life.  It provides us with more than a return on our investment, it is a place to live, improve and enjoy.  Consider that when you are deciding what is right for you.

Lowell Cooke is a Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker The Brokers in Billings. He may be contacted at 406-661-5140 or Lowell@CBtheBrokers.com

Commercial

Samantha Penne/ Neumann Construction, 2345 King Ave W, Com Remodel, $35,000

Erving Properties Llc/ Hammond Construction, 19 S 28th St, Com Fence/Roof/Siding,  $30,000

Meridian Automotive Service Ll /Donahue Roofing Llc, 1240 Avenue C, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $19,398

City Of Billings/ T.W. Clark Construction Llc, 1601 St Andrews Dr, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $130,000

Thomas Property & Investments/Knife River-Billings,  2520 17th St W, Com New Parking Lot/Non-Building Structure, $64,464

Greg Van Binsberger $/Jones Construction, Inc, 1405 38th St W, Com New Restaurant/Casino/Bar,  $650,000

United Properties Inc/ Dick Anderson Construction, 490 N 31st St, Com Remodel, $25,000

LRS LCC/Bauer Construction, 1300 N Transtech Way,  Com Remodel, $53,853

Sisters Of Charith Of Leavenwo/Saunders Construction Inc, 1233 N 30th St,   Com Remodel,  $35,000

City Of Billings The/TWE Construction & Restoration Inc, 605 S 24th St W, Com Remodel, $31,234

Opportunity Bank Of Montana/Cayton Excavation Inc, 1667 Main St, Demolition Permit Commercial, $30,000

Residential

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6107 Norma Jean Ln, Res New Accessory Structure,  $29,568

SMTP 002 Llc/Better Building Technologies Llc, 6327 Ridge Stone Dr, Res New Single Family, $221,483

HLL Llc/Beartooth Holding & Construction, 5362 Amherst Dr, Res New Single Family, $333,310

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6107 Norma Jean Ln,  Res New Single Family, $346,898

Trent Parks/Billings Best Builders Llc, 839 Mission Oaks Dr, Res New Two Family, $442,320

Trent Parks Billings Best Builders Llc,  905 Mission Oaks Dr, Res New Two Family, $442,320

NA/Billings Best Builders Llc, 827 Mission Oaks Dr, Res New Two Family, $442,320

NA/Billings Best Builders Llc, 833 Mission Oaks Dr, Res New Two Family, $442,320

NA/Billings Best Builders Llc, 821 Mission Oaks Dr, Res New Two Family, $442,320

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6151 Farmstead Ave, Res New Accessory Structure, $25,344

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6145 Farmstead Ave, Res New Accessory Structure, $25,344

High Sierra II Inc/Bob Pentecost Construction, 2426 Bonito Loop, Res New Single Family  $350,900

Wagenhals Land And Livestock/Wagenhals Enterprises Inc, 1109 Daybreak Dr, Res New Single Family, $250,000     

Cranford, Leonard/Hg Designs, 2710 Auburn Cir, Res New Single Family, $239,650

Robert Lively/Better Building Technologies Llc, 6328 Ridge Stone Dr N, Res New Single Family, $202,534

Ironwood Land Llc /Wells Built Inc., 6061 Canyonwoods Dr,  Res New Single Family,     $424,324

High Sierra II Inc/ Infinity Home Llc, 2402 Bonito Loop, Res New Single Family, $278,370

Marsich Investments Inc/Marsich Investments, 114 Big Pine Ct,  Res New Two Family, $408,076

Marsich Investments Inc /Marsich Investments, 120 Big Pine Ct, Res New Two Family, $408,076

Marsich Investments Inc/Marsich Investments, 126 Big Pine Ct,  Res New Two Family, $408,076

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6151 Farmstead Ave, Res New Two Family, $257,518

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6145 Farmstead Ave, Res New Two Family, $258,618

McCall Development Inc/McCall Development, 6157 Farmstead Ave, Res New Two Family, $259,243

Marsich Investments Inc/Marsich Investments, 4231 Limber Pine Ln, Res New Two Family, $348,272

Real state personal income grew 2.4 percent in 2019 after increasing 3.1 percent in 2018, according to estimates released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).

Montana’s Real Personal Income, 2018-2019, increased 1.8 percent.

Real state personal income is a state’s current-dollar personal income adjusted by the state’s regional price parity and the national personal consumption expenditures price index. The percent change in real estate personal income ranged from 4.1 percent in Maine to 0.7 percent in Hawaii, Wyoming, and Rhode Island. Across metropolitan areas, the percent change ranged from 7.6 percent in Hanford-Corcoran, CA, to –3.2 percent in Panama City, FL, and Wheeling, WV-OH.

In North Dakota it increased 3.3 percent, South Dakota, 2.1 percent and Idaho, 3.6 percent.

Real Personal Income in 2019

Large metropolitan areas—those with populations greater than two million—with the fastest growth in real personal income were Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX (5.3 percent), Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO (4.0 percent), and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (3.7 percent).

Large metropolitan areas with the slowest growth in real personal income were Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL (1.4 percent), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI (1.4 percent), and Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI (1.4 percent).

Regional price parities (RPPs) measure the differences in price levels across states and metropolitan areas for a given year and are expressed as a percentage of the overall national price level. RPP covers all consumption goods and services, including housing rents.

States with the highest RPPs were Hawaii (119.3), California (116.4), and New York (116.3) (table 3).

States with the lowest RPPs were Mississippi (84.4), Arkansas (84.7), and Alabama (85.8).

Across states, California had the highest RPP for housing rents (153.6), and Mississippi had the lowest (60.0).

Large metropolitan areas with the highest RPPs were San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA (134.5), New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA (125.7), and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA (118.8).

Twelve Montana counties have officially founded the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority to advocate for the return of passenger rail service across southern Montana.

The finalized joint resolution, fully executed the last of November, seals the commissioner actions and provides for the appointment of one representative from each county to serve on the authority.

Gallatin County was the first to act on July 28, and Powell County the last on Nov. 18.

“Counties in Montana have done what has never been done before: establish the first regional passenger rail authority in the state. This will set the stage for re-establishing regular passenger rail service through the southern tier of the state—a transformational project for Montana that will add to and complement the Empire Builder along the Hi-Line,” Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier said.

“We hope to schedule our first board meeting of the authority in December or January and get this train moving!” The purpose of the authority is to provide for the preservation and improvement of abandoned rail service for agriculture, industry or passenger traffic and to provide for the preservation of abandoned railroad right-of-way for future transportation uses, when determined to be practicable and necessary for the public welfare.”

The authority constitutes the governance structure to investigate, analyze, seek funding for and develop long-distance, inter-city rail service to further the health, safety, welfare and economic prosperity throughout Montana. The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority board comprises commissioner-appointed representatives from each of the following counties: Broadwater; Butte-Silver Bow; Dawson; Gallatin; Granite; Jefferson; Missoula; Park; Powell; Prairie; Sanders and Wibaux.

According to Smith & Wesson CEO Mark Smith nearly eight million Americans have decided to “exercise their Second Amendment rights for the first time.”
Of the eight million first time buyers, 40% have been women, which mens approximately 3.2 million women became gun owners this year alone. Gun purchases by Black Americans were up 58% in the first half of 2020. “This expanded consumer base of new firearm owners represents a healthy long-term opportunity for the industry as a whole, but specifically for Smith & Wesson,” said Smith.
These numbers only tell part of the story regarding gun sales. The current stats are based on the 19 million NICS checks that were done in 2020, which are required by the FBI. Anybody who has a concealed carry permit has already passed a background check, and additional gun purchases do not require a repeat check. Customers need only to show their carry permit when purchasing a firearm. And, a single NICS check can be used to purchase multiple firearms.
Also, a background check is not required for a private sale between two individuals in most states. Considering these variables, gun sales hit an all-time high in 2020, even beating the massive spike in sales running up to the 2016 election.
The reasons for the boom are obvious, according to Smith. 2020 has been the perfect storm for gun sales. TheCOVID-19 pandemic tanked the economy. Crime spiked.
Americans watched months of rioting and looting take place in cities across the country. Politically motivated violence is on the rise.
Plus a presidential election where one candidate has declared war on the Second Amendment. “It’s better late than never, so stock up if you can,” said Mark Smith

Over 71 percent of Billings business owners are at least somewhat concerned about the welfare of their businesses this winter according to a survey conducted by the Billings Chamber of Commerce.

Almost a fourth are “concerned” to “very concerned” and almost half are “somewhat” concerned about having to close their businesses because of the current COVID-19 restrictions, according to the survey which had 274 responses.

Just under 30 percent said they were not concerned at all.

Current orders issued by Yellowstone County Health Officer John Felton requires all businesses to operate at 50 percent capacity, opening no earlier than 4 am and closing by 10 pm. The mandate reduced capacity level from 75 percent, and for many businesses 50 percent capacity isn’t enough to sustain the business and is basically a requirement to close. The order pertains to all places of assembly, retail stores, bars, casinos, churches, gym, and salon.

Exceptions include healthcare organizations and pharmacies. Restaurants may provide takeout and drive-through food after 10 p.m.

Felton is limiting all indoor and outdoor gatherings to 25 people.

His orders are for the most part the same as those issued by Gov. Steve Bullock a few days earlier.

Party Time Plus is permanently closed as a result of COVID-19 economic impacts.

From the very first day of the Governor’s enactment of an emergency status regarding COVID-19, Party Time Plus felt the full brunt of distancing and stay-at-home orders. “One hundred percent of our bookings cancelled as of March 17,” said Lynae Gilbert, COO for the family owned business. Up until then business had been strong for Party Time Pus, a special event company at 3138 Gabel Road, Billings. Business was 15 percent ahead of last year’s first three months, and they were looking at a solidly booked summer.

May through September is normally the busy season for Party Time Plus. They did about 75 percent of  their business during those months because that’s when people really gather and plan for parties, weddings, trade shows, graduations, business conferences, concerts, family reunions, etc.,  for which for 30 years Party Time Plus has been the go-to place for tents, tables, chairs, serving ware and linens. But this summer, very few such events were held as people responded to county health mandates and faced fear and uncertainty about the coronavirus.

While having struggled through their busy season with but a trickle of their normal business, now that they are facing what is typically their slow season with still more mandates prohibiting events and gatherings, there is simply no way to continue business. “People aren’t gathering,” said Gilbert, and “that’s what a special event does.”

“We would be at less than 50 percent of gross revenue,” explained Gilbert, “We can’t make up that difference.”

In the first round of closures, CARE Act funding helped keep their doors open, but that funding is long gone and no more seems likely.

Faced with continued restrictions and an uncertainty that Gilbert called “complete and utter chaos,” Gilbert said her family had to decide how deep into debt they wanted to go to try to save the business. Deciding that they wanted to make sure that they could pay “all to whom we owe in a timely manner”, the decision was made that they wanted to “navigate” their exit while they could, rather than be “complete victims of it.”

“It was a heartbreaking decision,” said Gilbert.

Caught up in the tragedy of it all were eight full time and one part time employee whose jobs are no more, and that is not including the 20 employees that are normally hired during the busy season but were not this summer.

“Clients have been kind and gracious,” said Gilbert, who expressed her family’s gratitude for all the support the community has given them over the years.

Party Time Plus was founded in 1986 and Gilbert’s family purchased the business in February 2006.

A liquidation sale is planned but details have not been determined and will be announced later.

PacificSource Health Plans has named Erik Wood as vice president and Montana regional director. In this role, Wood will serve as a member of the organization’s executive management group with responsibilities for all health plan activities in the state of Montana, as well as executive leader for issues related to media, legislative, regulatory, business, key provider interactions, and community activities.

Wood comes to PacificSource with more than 17 years of health care leadership experience. He most recently served as the vice president of ancillary services at Billings Clinic where he was responsible for the overall operations, quality, and growth of the ancillary division. Prior to that, he served as the CEO of Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber and in several leadership roles with Community Medical Center in Missoula from 2003 through 2012.

“We are pleased to welcome Erik to our Montana team,” said Ken Provencher, president and CEO of PacificSource. “He brings to this position a deep understanding of the health care needs of Montanans and extensive experience in leading teams to success. I am confident his leadership will serve our members well.” 

Wood graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration. Outside of work, he enjoys skiing, snowshoeing, rafting, hiking, and camping with his family.

PacificSource Health Plans is an independent, not-for-profit community health plan serving the Northwest. Founded in 1933, PacificSource has local offices throughout Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Washington