County welcomes incoming, returning officials

Lake County officials welcomed back some familiar faces last week, swearing in a trio of winning candidates returning to long-held posts within local government.

District Court Clerk Lyn Fricker and Carolyn Hall were officially reinstated for yet another term in the respective positions, while Dave Stipe took over the District 2 County Commissioner office he held from 1992 to 2005.

District Court Judge James. A. Manley congratulated the returning officials, noting their experience and qualifications.

“We really do have a great county government. Good people somehow keep stepping up,” Manley said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen things run as smoothly in the past 40 years I’ve been here.”

Continuing that course will be the focus for Stipe, who rejoins the county commission during tough financial times.

Stipe said he has stayed active politically during his time out of office, keeping up with the county’s ongoing legal battles as well as the concerns of constituents.

“I never quit getting calls the whole time I was gone,” he said.

Stipe said his two major focuses will involve the problem of dwindling tax revenue.

The county recently found itself facing a budget deficit after the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes assumed ownership of the former Kerr Dam.

County officials have stated there was a misunderstanding with tribal leaders concerning reimbursement for the lost revenue once the dam was removed from the tax rolls.

To make up the deficit, the county plans to increase property taxes in some areas by as much as 10 percent. In addition, the finance department also took a closer look at a number of properties suspected of paying the improper amount of taxes. As of Dec. 1, the search had turned up 64 parcels that needed adjustments, with homeowners responsible for paying a total of $325,910 in back taxes, according to a press released issued earlier this month.

“It’s a real uncomfortable situation,” Stipe said. “There’s not a lot of wiggle room.”

In an attempt to regain revenue, the county has also filed a lawsuit against the Montana Department of Revenue arguing that the dam was never put in federal trust for the tribe, and therefore still subject to taxes. Officials anticipate a court date for the case will be scheduled by early next year.

Stipe said another prominent issue is the county’s proposal to withdrawal from an agreement to provide law enforcement services on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

In 1963 the State of Montana entered an agreement under federal Public Law 280 to take over criminal jurisdiction on tribal land.

As populations and crime rates have risen, officials now argue the service places too much of a burden on county resources.

Stipe encountered the issue in 1993 during his first year in office, when tribal law enforcement took over misdemeanor crimes.

The move releived some of the county’s caseload, but with local government still responsible for prosecuting felony offenders, Stipe said additional action is needed.

The county will hold a public hearing on Jan. 11 to discuss a resolution to withdraw from the agreement, which would ultimately requires passage by the state legislature. The meeting represents the beginning of a process Stipe anticipates taking center stage for some time to come.

“It’s a big issue,” he said.