Newly elected Heights Water District board members pose for a picture with Judge David Carter Wednesday Morning after being sworn into their elected positions. From left to right, Ming Cabrera, Judge David Carter, Laura Drager, and Dennis Cook. (Courtesy photo)
Justice of the Peace David Carter swore in the newly elected board members of the Heights Water District on Wednesday morning. The action came amid uncertainty about how the monthly Heights Water District board meeting will unfold Wednesday evening.
There remained uncertainty about whether previous board members were still on the board despite the results of an election that ousted all three incumbents. County officials canvassed the results of that election on Tuesday.
The question arises as to which board members should be seated at the board meeting, since the terms of the three defeated incumbents officially expired at the end of February 2021. At the same time, state law indicates that the new board members do not take their positions on the board until after the sixth Monday following the election (June 14).
The agenda published for the Wednesday meeting, by the incumbent board members, indicated that they will transact all business prior to the swearing in of new board members. That included the board appointing representatives for the city and the county, as well as naming a new chairperson of the board, since the former chairperson, Wynn Pippin, has resigned.
The County and City, however, contend that they have the authority to appoint their own representatives. County Commissioners said that they have not changed their appointment of Pam Ellis to the board, which was made last fall. The City’s appointee resigned some months ago.
The canvass, under the direction of Brett Rutherford, Yellowstone County’s Elections Administrator, certified the election in which Ming Cabrera captured the highest number of votes with 1,470, followed by Laura Drager with 1,389 and Dennis L. Cook with 1,178. Janet Carson had 732 voted. Incumbent Roger Ostermiller had 1,072 votes, followed by Donna Hager Dinsmore with 781 and Steve Blood with 594. There were 59 write-in votes for a total of 7,275 votes cast.
There are numerous issues pending before the board, including the replacement of its former president, Wynn Pippin, who announced her resignation at the last board meeting.
Follow the unfolding events of the Heights Water District Board on the Yellowstone County News website.
