Flathead County commissioners set board responsibilities

The three Flathead County commissioners don't just meet with each other to set policy and manage the county's budget. They also serve on 19 other volunteer boards and committees that deal with a variety of specialized issues, from public health to juvenile detention to economic development.

On Tuesday, the commissioners, all Republicans, decided how they will divvy up their committee assignments in 2021.

Commissioner Randy Brodehl will take a turn as chairman of the commission, and Commissioner Pam Holmquist will serve as vice chairwoman. Commissioner Brad Abell, who was sworn into office last week, will assume board and committee roles that used to belong to his predecessor, former Commissioner Phil Mitchell.

All three commissioners will serve on the county's Compensation Board, along with the sheriff, county attorney, county treasurer and District Court clerk. Each commissioner will serve on six other boards as well.

Brodehl will serve on the Child Development Center Board, the Flathead Basin Commission, the Resource Advisory Committee, the Transportation Advisory Board, the Western Montana Regional Mental Health Board and the Western Montana Regional Juvenile Detention Board.

Holmquist will serve on the Flathead City-County Health Board, the Agency on Aging Board, the Fair Commission, the Flathead River Commission, the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Montana West Economic Development Board.

Abell will serve on the county's Audit Committee, the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Glencore Update Committee, the DUI Task Force/Safe Kids Safe Community Coalition, the Solid Waste District Board, the Technical Advisory Committee and the Flathead County Economic Development Authority Board.

Reporter Chad Sokol can be reached at 758-4434 or csokol@dailyinterlake.com