For immediate release: August 17, 2021
Fierce competition spiked large crowds and contestant fever during the 2021 Big Sky
Country State Fair.
See the full press release here.
Media contact:
Amanda Hartman, Gallatin County Fairgrounds Marketing & Sponsorship Coordinator
Amanda.Hartman@gallatin.mt.gov
On August 13, 2021, Gallatin County Dispatch received a report of an injured mountain biker on Leverich Canyon Trail.
Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded to the Leverich Canyon Trailhead along with Hyalite Fire and AMR. SAR members met the patient approximately 1.5 miles up the trail. The patient suffered an upper leg injury and was in substantial pain. The patient received initial medical care and pain management on scene. The team used a one wheel litter to transport the patient to the trailhead. Once safely at the trailhead AMR subsequently transported the individual to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.
Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind you that even the most experienced recreationalists have mishaps. Remember to always take a partner, plenty of water, sunscreen, a first aid kit and be prepared for any weather changes.
For immediate release: August 9, 2021
The Gallatin City-County Health Department will be hosting a number of immunization clinics for children entering kindergarten through twelfth grade who are in need of vaccine updates. There will also be an option for kids 12 and up, as well as their parents/guardians, to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Walk-In Immunization Clinic Dates and Times:
Tuesday, August 17, 2021 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, August 19, 2021 – 1 to 4 p.m.
Monday, August 23, 2021 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, August 24, 2021 – 1 to 4 p.m.
For more details on what to bring to this clinic, please click here.
For immediate release: August 3, 2021
This fall, Gallatin County voters will decide on a bond to build a safer, more efficient courts facility that will serve all Gallatin County citizens.
The Gallatin County Commission unanimously voted today to put a $29 million bond on the general election ballot this November.
The bond will be used to replace the current Law and Justice Center, located in Bozeman, with a new single-story, 57,000-square-foot building that will house the following:
Property taxes on a home with an assessed market value of $500,000 would increase by $33.50 per year. However, that amount would decrease each year as more property taxpayers move into our rapidly growing county.
Gallatin County Commission Chairman Scott MacFarlane said that “a new court building is the only cost-effective solution to Gallatin County’s short-term and long-term needs for safe and efficient courts.”
MacFarlane called the proposal a responsible solution to the issues facing the current courts facility, problems that have been impacting taxpayers for two decades and that will persist as Gallatin County continues growing.
“This is our most responsible and best project to solve the court needs,” MacFarlane said.
Commissioner Joe Skinner noted that voters have rejected two previous proposals to replace the building, but said the county has listened to voters and found unique and creative ways to cut down project costs and still address the courts’ needs.
“I really think we got it right this time,” Skinner said. “This is the right project at the right time. I’m happy to be able to put this on the ballot.”
Commissioner Zach Brown said this project is “fundamentally a need, it is not a want,” noting that the county must find space to house an incoming fourth District Court judge recently funded by the Montana Legislature.
“Our justice system is a constitutionally protected and mandated service. It’s fundamental to the way our economy and democracy work,” Brown said. “I’m really looking forward to having a robust conversation with taxpayers about this project between now and November.”
When a replacement building was proposed in 2019, the price was $60 million. By using value engineering, strategic design and a smaller footprint, the new construction plan will reduce the cost to $38 million. But taxpayers will pay less. Gallatin County has been saving for this project and will cover about 25% of the construction at no additional cost to the taxpayers. And the county was able to purchase a new facility for Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office operations, making this proposal even smaller. In effect, the total bond—that is, the cost to the taxpayers—has been reduced to $29 million.
The current Law and Justice Center was built in 1961 as a Catholic high school and later retrofitted into a law enforcement and courts facility. The structural integrity of the building is compromised and it lacks a fire suppression system. This endangers thousands of citizens who utilize the building every month – from those serving our community working there daily, to those serving their civic jury duty, getting married, being granted adoptions, seeking orders of protection, and those settling life-altering disputes.
There is also a lack of space in the current building. There are not enough courtrooms – which the county is constitutionally mandated to provide to our state-allocated judges – or administrative space to handle current caseloads. The 2021 Montana Legislature approved funding for a fourth District Court judge, who is slate to arrive as soon as January 2022, and the county must provide space for that judge and their staff.
This current lack of space means civil court cases can see wait times for adjudication stretch into years, at the expense of our area businesses.
This also means extended wait times for criminal trials, meaning defendants spend longer in jail or on pretrial supervision, both of which are expenses passed on to taxpayers.
And for victims involved in criminal trials who are seeking justice so they can move forward with their lives, their day in court becomes a far-too distant point on the horizon.
In addition to the human cost of an inefficient, unsafe justice center, construction costs in Gallatin County are increasing by an estimated 10% year over year. This same project proposed in the future is likely to cost much more.
Ballots for the 2021 general election will be mailed on Oct. 13. They will be due back no later than 8 PM on Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.
More information on the bond will be available on our website, gallatin.mt.gov. And more information on November’s election and how to register to vote can be found at gallatinvotes.com.
Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
Cell: 406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov
For immediate release: July 29, 2021
For immediate release: July 29, 2021
Final attendance numbers are in from the annual Big Sky Country State Fair held in Bozeman July 21-25.
See the full press release here.
Media contact:
Amanda Hartman, Gallatin County Fairgrounds Marketing & Sponsorship Coordinator
Amanda.Hartman@gallatin.mt.gov
Photos courtesy of the Big Sky Country State Fair
For immediate release: July 22, 2021
Big Sky Country State Fair will bring the roar of engines to Bozeman on July 24 as part of its show lineup. Presented by the Mountaineers 4×4 Club and The Moose, the Mud Bog returns with all its dirt-loving action all afternoon.
See the full press release here.
Media contact:
Amanda Hartman, Gallatin County Fairgrounds Marketing & Sponsorship Coordinator
Amanda.Hartman@gallatin.mt.gov
For immediate release: July 20, 2021
Due to historically dry fuel levels, ongoing drought conditions and a lack of firefighting resources regionally, the Gallatin County Commission has signed an emergency ordinance banning burning and other activities that increase the risk of wildfire in Gallatin County.
The ordinance went into effect immediately and will remain in effect for 90 days until the commission rescinds it.
See the full ordinance here.
“Since our firefighters are out there doing their best to protect our communities and homes, and putting their lives at risk, the rest of us can do our part to prevent starting any new fires,” said Commissioner Zach Brown. “We’re on track for really rough conditions and relief is not exactly in sight.”
The following acts are prohibited in Gallatin County, excluding only those lands under the jurisdiction of federal, state or municipal agencies:
Although not prohibited by this ordinance, people are also recommended to refrain from shooting firearms outside of developed shooting ranges clear of natural vegetation.
Again, these restrictions are for Gallatin County. Please check with your city or town for local restrictions. And note that additional restrictions are going into effect on the Custer Gallatin National Forest this week, most notably that there will be no campfires allowed whatsoever, even in designated sites.
Gallatin County Commissioners took a number of factors into account when enacting this burn ban.
The Energy Release Component values for Gallatin County indicate that vegetation in the area is at historically dry levels and vulnerable to rapid fire growth. These values for Gallatin County have exceeded the historical maximums and are projected to continue exceeding the maximums until fall.
Graph provided by the Northern Rockies Coordination Center.
Montana’s firefighting resources are stretched thin due to numerous wildfires burning across the region, impacting the ability to respond to a large wildfire if one were to start in our area.
And ongoing high heat, high winds, low humidity and high fire danger are predicted to continue in the short and long term.
“No one wants a fire in our community and now is the time for people think about what they are doing and help keep our area fire free,” said Patrick Lonergan, Gallatin County Chief of Emergency Management and Fire.
Lonergan notes that activities being banned have all started large fires in our area in recent years.
“Fires often start from routine activities that the person never thought twice about. This is a summer to think twice about what you are doing and avoid activities that could result in a fire,” he said.
Sheriff Dan Springer said he supports the commission’s decision to enact the burn ban and urges citizens and visitors to be responsible.
“All public safety resources across the state are spread thin due to multiple fires and multiple evacuations,” Springer said. “With the public’s cooperation, we know we can limit the likelihood of having significant fires in our community.”
Media contact:
Whitney Bermes, Gallatin County Communications Coordinator
Cell: 406-595-8963
whitney.bermes@gallatin.mt.gov
For immediate release: July 19, 2021
The number one reason people come to the fair is to see the animals! This year fair goers can have the experience all week long with 4-H livestock in the barns Wednesday through Sunday.
See the full press release here.
Media contact:
Amanda Hartman, Gallatin County Fairgrounds Marketing & Sponsorship Coordinator
Amanda.Hartman@gallatin.mt.gov
On July 6th, Gallatin County Sheriff’s deputies investigated a call regarding animal cruelty. The caller reported that a dog had been tied to a bumper and was dragged over half a mile down Jackrabbit Lane before the collar came apart and the dog was set loose. Deputies searched for the dog and found Marley in the ditch. As the deputies approached, Marley lifted its head and showed a strong will to live. Marley was then taken to receive emergency vet care.
Our office is conducting a full investigation of the incident. In the meantime, Marley is being well cared for and is expected to make a full recovery but Marley has extensive injuries and will need care for quite some time.
A Go Fund Me has been set up to help with Marley’s vet care. https://gofund.me/2f10804a
