Darin Schuster, Chouteau Country Commissioner informed me there were cuts to Chouteau County that would affect us immediately. That night the TV news confirmed what he had told me. The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees local public assistance had their budget cut by $49 million. The state of Montana is closing half of its 38 Office of Public Assistance. Chouteau County is one of the offices being closed. The programs being affected are: (Snap) Supplement Nutritional Assistance Program which is a domestic hunger safety net; (TANF)-temporary assistance for needy families; Medicaid; and the CHIP program now known as Healthy Montana Kids Children's a health insurance for children. You can still apply for assistance by phone and there is also an on-line application. Billings, Great Falls, Butte and Missoula are the four processing centers which will handle ongoing caseloads including re-certifications and renewals. "The 19 offices set to close served less than 1 percent of the total population served in the state", according to DPHHS Communications Director Jon Ebelt. "The new model allows a client to receive services by going into any Office of Public Assistance," said Ebelt. "They aren't limited to just the town where they live." People in Chouteau County if they need to visit with a person face to face will need to travel either to Havre or Great Falls, depending on which service they are interested in. Denise Naeseth and Rosanne Lindeman of Fort Benton have chosen not to relocate so their positions will be open for hire. Denise Naeseth informed me that the total savings to the state of Montana by closing the office in Fort Benton is $149 a month which is the monthly phone bill, because Chouteau County does not charge the state of Montana rent for their offices.

As part of the cuts to human services, Big Sandy Activities, has also been informed that target case management around the state has been eliminated.

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There is approximately 2,100 Montanans who have developmental disabilities in services and 70 case managers making a case load of 30 individuals for each. By April 2018 all caseloads will be absorbed by current state officials making the case-load per state official at 60. This decision will affect Big Sandy Activities.

Darin Schuster also informed me that the Chouteau County Assessor's office in Fort Benton, will be closing Oct 31, 2018. I was told by a state representative, that the discussion on what would be the most effective approach took place when budget cuts were being reviewed. It was determined that by using the Internet and better technology it would be more cost effective. The Department realizes there will be some transitional issues, but they've done the research on programs other states are using and they believe they have the best program saving large amounts of time. Diana Jones will be allowed to transfer to Great Falls or Havre. Mike Oriet will continue to do field work. There have been 40 vacancies in the State Assessors Offices. They will not be filled. The costs in Assessor's Office are rent, computers, and personnel. The largest cost is personnel, and moving towards better technology is the best way to eliminate cost.

Chouteau County, by law, are required to have two Alcohol and Chemical dependency counselors because it receives $24,000 from the Montana Alcohol Tax. When an individual receives a DUI, they are required to attend a class. Schuster says that currently the county is finding it difficult to maintain two counselors. If we can't have two available counselors the county will need to return the funds.

Darin Schuster was just notified the county is responsible for the maintenance of the new portion of Highway 236, Judith Landing Road. Technically it should be Weeden Construction of Lewistown as they did not complete the contract. It is for that reason it state of Montana cannot do the maintenance. Although the maintenance of the highway is now the responsibility of the county the county doesn't have the proper equipment to maintain it during the winter. The plan is to rent a plow truck from the town of Big Sandy to maintain the highway whenever possible.