Dear Editor,
Since last December, the Heights Task Force and two of the new County Water District of Billings Heights Board members complained about the old CWDBH board not following rules/laws and having excessive rates.
Immediately after the election the Board President cancelled the up-coming board meeting (May), because that board had already said newly elected members were to be seated in June, but there was a temporary restraining order (illegally applied for by Yellowstone County and Billings), but the newly elected members and two appointees (who the old board refused to seat because they were appointed contrary to State law) held that meeting totally ignoring the published agenda.
The next month’s (June) regular board meeting the newly elected and two illegally appointed members along with the one remaining old board member again immediately set June as meeting to seat newly elected board members, followed the published agenda and elected a board member as secretary and raised rates 0.7% while discussing an agenda item of “Report and discussion on City of Billings’ rate study.” Roberts Rules of Order prevent two items from being on the floor at the same time and the Montana Constitution in Article 2 Sections 8 & 9 clearly require the public know what is to be discussed and will be able to participate and observe deliberations, as well as review documents. The CWDBH rates contain money for water and money for distribution.
The letter sent notifying ratepayers of the increase said the increase is on water consumption. It has been nearly a month, and there are no new rates available for review. How will ratepayers know what sort of bill to expect from this increase? I filed a grievance according to CWDBH established rules which require a hearing then action at the next regular meeting. The agenda for the ‘special’ meeting of June 30 had an agenda item “Review grievance complaint and respond formally.” No hearing or certified notice of hearing as required by CWDBH established rules.
State law requires that the District’s secretary not be a Board member, that the secretary be paid (7-13-2277), the secretary counter sign all contracts and perform duties imposed by board (7-13-2278) and the secretary be bonded (7-13-2279). There was a ‘Special meeting’ called for June 30, 2021, where the agenda had an item “Opinion on who can be secretary.” They are hiring an attorney at ratepayers’ expense so as to understand Montana law.
There were news articles about these newly elected members being given their oath of office by a Judge on May11, 2021. What oath did they get? All oaths of office I have seen and heard swear to uphold the US Constitution, the State Constitution, the State laws and the rules/laws of body they will be serving on. Which Board doesn’t follow rules/laws? I wonder how the County Commissioners and City Council feel about the actions of their appointed board members.
After all the news articles in the past, where are the reporters now?
Tom Zurbuchen
Billings, MT
