Holmquist reappointed commission chairwoman

Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist was reappointed commission chairwoman Monday and Commissioner Gary Krueger will serve as vice-chairman.

The appointments followed some disagreement about who should be the chairman for the coming year.

Krueger nominated newly elected Commissioner Phil Mitchell to be the chairman, pointing out how Mitchell has served on numerous public boards and “absolutely has the ability to run meetings.”

Holmquist would not second the motion, saying she believed it would be difficult for a first-year commissioner to take the lead position.

Mitchell then moved to reappoint Holmquist, noting she “has tried to stay neutral on a number of issues that have been hard.”

Krueger seconded the motion but then voted against reappointing Holmquist.

She and Mitchell voted for Holmquist as chairwoman.

Historically the commission chairman serves for one year and then passes the leadership position to the next most senior commissioner. Typically the chair is a rotating position.

There was also discussion about whether the commission is required to have a vice chairman. Deputy County Attorney Tara Fugina said it wasn’t necessarily required, since meetings could be run by the most senior commissioner if the chairman was absent.

Commissioner Cal Scott, whose term ended Dec. 31, most recently served as vice-chairman. Krueger, who said he believes having a vice chairman is important, was appointed vice chairman on a 2-0 vote. He abstained from voting, however, saying “I don’t believe you vote for yourself.”

During the reorganization of committee assignments, Holmquist said she would keep all of her past committees, including the 911 board, audit committee, county Health Board, Flathead River Commission, Montana Coalition of Forest Counties and Montana West Economic Development board.

Mitchell will take all of Scott’s committee assignments, including the Agency on Aging board, Child Development Center board, DUI task force/Safe Kids Safe Community Coalition, Flathead County Chemical Dependency Clinic board, technical advisory committee and Western Montana Regional Mental Health board.

Krueger opted to give up two of his committee assignments — Flathead Basin Commission and Flathead County Economic Development Authority — to Mitchell.

Krueger will retain his seat on the fair board, local emergency planning committee, resource advisory committee, Retired Senior Volunteer Program board, Solid Waste District board and transportation advisory board.

Mitchell said it would be helpful if the commissioners could report back to the commission on relevant decisions made on the various boards such as the 911 board.

“It’s a way to communicate if something important happens on the boards,” Mitchell said.

Some department heads routinely report to the commission about board decisions, Krueger noted. Holmquist said she would be willing to email minutes of the 911 board meetings to the other commissioners.

No decision was made about the proposed board reports, but there seemed to be a consensus to “play it by ear.”

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.