Yellowstone County commissioners approve BUFSA fee change and adopt election mileage and media policies

The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners on May 28 approved a change to the fee schedule for the Billings Urban Fire Service Area (BUFSA) and adopted two election‑related policies covering mileage reimbursement for election workers and media and photo/video conduct at polling places.

Jen, who opened the public hearing on the BUFSA fee schedule, said the county received state reappraisal rates last year that required proposed changes to local assessments and that staff expects to revisit the schedule every two years "just to lower the assessments for our taxpayers." The board held a public hearing; no members of the public offered testimony, and the measure was approved by voice vote after a motion and second.

Why it matters: Jen said the fee adjustment responds to updated property reappraisals and is intended to align BUFSA assessments with the reappraisal results. Adjustments to the BUFSA fee schedule affect property owners within the Billings Urban Fire Service Area and alter how firefighting services are funded in that service area.

The board also approved Yellowstone County election notice 24‑94, which includes two policies presented by Ginger. The first expands mileage reimbursement to election judges who are asked to work at a polling place outside their assigned precinct or at a courthouse more than five miles from their home precinct; reimbursement requires a detailed mileage log submitted within 30 days of the expense. The second policy sets rules for photography and video at polling places: Ginger cited the Montana Constitution's requirement that elections be by secret ballot and said the county will prohibit photos or video of people voting inside polling places between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., designate locations ("selfie stands") where photos are allowed and permit brief media panning only with prior arrangements. Media interviews at polling places, she said, will be limited to the election administrator, the administrator's designee or a polling‑place manager.

The meeting opened with recognition of long‑term county employees. The chair read the names of retirees and honorees, including Val Weber (youth service center director; retired after 28 years), Roger Bodine (23 years), Kevin Cunningham (sheriff's patrol; 30 years) and George Fritz (30 years). Kevin Cunningham offered brief remarks thanking colleagues and calling his 30‑year career "very rewarding."

Other routine business included approval of claims (numbers 24‑161 through 24‑164) and adoption of the consent agenda. The meeting adjourned after no public comments on county business; the chair reminded attendees that the next Tuesday is election day.

The actions recorded on the transcript were voice votes and motions; the transcript records affirmative 'aye' responses but does not specify roll‑call tallies or the names of the members who moved or seconded each motion.