Association, County, State & National News
MACo Launches Mobile App
After several years fielding requests, the Montana Association of Counties (MACo) is eager to announce that we are now offering a mobile application.
Read More
FY 2020 PILT Payments Distributed
U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced today that more than 1,900 local governments around the country will receive $514.7 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT)…
Read More
MACo Awards 2020 President’s Scholarships
MACo President and Richland County Commissioner, Shane Gorder, has announced that Allyson Young, Everett Jensen, and Mason Mindt are the awardees of the 2020 MACo President’s Scholarships.
Read More
Local Government Reimbursement Program Update & Answering Your Questions
On June 12th, MACo and the Local Government Center hosted a virtual “townhall” to provide Montana's counties with a venue and opportunity to share and learn from the situations and…
Read More
Cascade County Seeking Deputy County Attorney – Civil Department
Cascade County is currently seeking to fill the position of Deputy County Attorney (Civil Department). This position acts as general counsel for Cascade County and serves as legal advisor to…
Read More
Lewis & Clark County Seeking Deputy County Attorney
Lewis & Clark County is seeking a Deputy County Attorney. Under the general direction of the County Attorney, this position prosecutes criminal and civil offenses, represents county government in legal…
Read More
Fallon County Seeking Shop Foreman
Fallon County is currently seeking to fill the position of Shop Foreman. This position works for the Road Department under the direct supervision of the Road Superintendent. This is a…
Read More
Local Government Reimbursement Program Created
The Local Government Reimbursement Program is now open. Reimbursement is available to local governments as part of the CARES Act and the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) grant…
Read More
Montana 2020 Census: Fill Out Your Form!
With the Census continuing until October, the State Complete Count Committee is closely tracking Montana’s response rates down to the Census tract level. Read this article to view a highlight…
Read More
Update on CARES Act Reimbursements
On May 29th, MACo and the Local Government Center hosted a virtual “townhall” to provide Montana's counties with a venue and opportunity to share and learn from the situations and…
Read More
Ravalli County Commissioner, Greg Chilcott, Elected President of WIR
Ravalli County Commissioner, Greg Chilcott, took up the presidential reins of NACo’s Western Interstate Region (WIR) on May 13th during a remote WIR Board Meeting. The Officers were scheduled to…
Read More
Millions Available in Emergency Grants Via Montana Programs
The state has created a single application portal for emergency grants funded through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided Montana with $1.25 billion for…
Read More
MACo’s Annual Salary Survey Completed: Results Available for Download
Every year, MACo collects county elected official salary information from the current fiscal year (FY 2020) for use by counties in the budget-setting process for the next fiscal year (FY…
Read More
National Association of Counties (NACo) to Hold Virtual Annual Business Meeting
The National Association of Counties’ Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel the NACo Annual Conference and proceed with a virtual Annual Business Meeting, which will include the…
Read More
CISA, IRS, USSS, and Treasury Release Joint Alert on Scams Related to COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the United States Secret Service (USSS) urge all Americans to be on…
Read More
Phase Two of Reopening Planned to Begin on June 1st
Governor Steve Bullock today announced the state will move to Phase Two of the Reopening the Big Sky plan and will lift the 14-day out-of-state travel quarantine beginning June 1…
Read More
SBA and Treasury Release Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application
On Friday, May 15th, the U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for…
Read More
TSEP Application Submission Guidance Presentation
An application submission guidance presentation has been posted on the TSEP webpage for applicants applying by the Friday, June 12, 2020 deadline.
Read More
CDBG Grant Application Deadlines
Grant applications for three Community Development Block Grant programs, managed by the Department of Commerce, are now being accepted.
Read More
Upcoming 2020 District Meetings
Given these unprecedented times, and after MUCH discussion, we have come to the difficult decision that this year’s district meetings will be virtual as opposed to in-person. The annual trip…
Read More
TSEP Application Deadline Extended
Due to the repercussions of COVID-19, the Montana Department of Commerce has received many public comments expressing concern over the May 1, 2020 TSEP Construction application deadline. Commerce has: (1)…
Read More
Livestock Loss Board Loss Prevention Grants
Apply now for livestock loss prevention grants. The Livestock Loss Board has $80,000 available for wolf only loss prevention projects. Limited money will be available for grizzly bear loss prevention…
Read More
Governor’s Coronavirus Relief Fund Task Force Update & Outcomes
The second session in our series of townhalls focused on the Governor’s Coronavirus Relief Fund Task Force. MACo Executive Director, Eric Bryson, reported on the progress and guidance that came…
Read More
Cascade County Seeking Prevention Services Division Manager
Cascade County is currently seeking a Prevention Services Division Manager. This position performs administrative, supervisory and technical duties in planning, coordinating and implementing the Prevention Services Division chronic and communicable…
Read More
Second Opportunity for Mobile Crisis Unit Grant
The Department of Public Health and Human Services, Addictive and Mental Disorders Division (AMDD), recently released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Mobile Crisis Unit Grant; however, the the…
Read More
2020 Census Operational Adjustments Due to COVID-19
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau is adjusting 2020 Census operations in order to: protect the health and safety of the American public and Census Bureau…
Read More
Letter from Our MACo President
I am writing you all to say hello and to wish you, your family, and friends all well in these uncertain times. Thank you to all the counties and their…
Read More
COVID-19 Department of Revenue Property Assessment Updates
The Property Assessment Division (PAD) staff, for the most part is still working remotely. PAD does have a limited number of people working in offices where the space allows for…
Read More
Letter from MACo Fiscal Officer Calling for Full Funding of SRS & PILT
County governments across Montana and the nation face budget shortfalls as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is no surprise when local small businesses and the agriculture industry struggle…
Read More
Benno Michael Ober
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Benno Michael Ober, age 76. Benno died suddenly of cardiac arrest at his home on April 24, 2020. He was…
Read More
Montana Commissioner Townhall Recording
On April 23rd, MACo and the Local Government Center hosted a virtual "townhall" to provide Montana’s County Commissions with a venue and opportunity to share and learn from the situations…
Read More
Communicating During the Coronavirus Pandemic
On April 23rd, MACo and the Local Government Center hosted a virtual “townhall” to provide Montana’s County Commissioners with a venue and opportunity to share and learn from the situations…
Read More
Governor Issues Directive to Reopen Montana in Phases
Today, April 22nd, the Governor’s Office announced their Reopening Montana Phased Approach and Guidelines. Linked below is the directive (please read) as well as the guideline documents. It is of…
Read More
Treasury Issues Guidance: Coronavirus Relief Fund
On April 22nd, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin released guidance for State, Local, and Tribal Governments regarding the Coronavirus Relief Fund (Section 5001 of the CARES Act).
Read More
Webinar: Tips & Tricks for RDG Project Grants
Are you looking for advice on your RDG project grant application? Do you have questions on your application? Join this webinar hosted by DNRC's RDG Program!
Read More
Fourth COVID-19 Funding Package
Yesterday, the Paycheck Protection Program ran out of money, and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program also dried up. This is putting mounting pressure on Congress to pass another COVID-19…
Read More
Governor Bullock Announces Coronavirus Relief Fund Task Force
Governor Bullock has announced the establishment of a Coronavirus Relief Fund Task Force to provide guidance and advice on how to best use $1.25 billion appropriated to Montana through the…
Read More
COVID-19 Grant Opportunity for Behavioral Health Crisis Response
The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services is seeking to disperse funding to counties to help meet the behavioral health crisis needs caused and exacerbated by COVID-19.
Read More
Report Analyzes COVID-19 Cases in Montana
Governor Steve Bullock today released a report produced by state epidemiologists examining 377 cases of COVID-19 in Montana that helps the state understand who is impacted by the new virus,…
Read More
USDA Unveils Tool to Help Rural Communities Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today unveiled a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can be used by rural communities, organizations and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19…
Read More
Montana’s Counties Need Help
HELENA, MT – Local Government is at the front lines of the COVID-19 response, including our law enforcement, health departments, health officers, county-owned medical facilities, and through our work with…
Read More
First Responder Directive Guidance
During the DOJ Public Safety call on April 9th, Governor Bullock clarified the intent of his First Responder Directive. His intent is to ENSURE all first responders, including law enforcement,…
Read More
FY 2021 Inflation Factor for Mill Levy Calculation
The inflation factor for FY 2020 is 1.05%. Per 15-10-420, MCA, “a governmental entity that is authorized to impose mills may impose a mill levy sufficient to generate the amount of…
Read More
Governor Extends Directives & Announces Measures Regarding Local Government & First Responders
Governor Steve Bullock today (April 7th) extended COVID-19 related directives through April 24th and announced measures to protect first responders and support local governments.
Read More
Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond
After 66 years of adventures, we lost a truly extraordinary man on Saturday. Robert “Pits” DeArmond passed away from lung cancer on April 4th, 2020. He was born to Donald…
Read More
Federal Forest Reserve Payment (FFY 2019 SRS Payments) Distributed to Counties
On April 2nd, the Montana Department of Administration distributed FFY 2019 Federal Forest Reserve funds (Secure Rural Schools/SRS payments) to the counties. These funds are received from the U.S. Department…
Read More
Governor Bullock Announces Directive to Extend Motor Vehicle Deadlines, Provide Services Online & by Mail
Governor Bullock today (April 2nd) issued a Directive allowing Montanans to renew their driver’s licenses online and by mail and extended the deadline to complete title and registration paperwork to…
Read More
Hotel Arrangements for Healthcare Workers, National Guard, Patients & First Responders
The National Association of Counties has been contacted by the IHG hotel chain (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge, etc.) regarding hotel arrangements for healthcare workers, National Guard, patients, and first…
Read More