Bylaws of the Bitter Root Irrigation District
I. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
A. IT IS THE INTENT OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THAT THE BOARD POLICIES BE IN HARMONY WITH APPROPRIATE STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.
B. TO DELIVER IRRIGATION WATER EQUITABLY TO ALL LANDS ASSESSED BY THE BITTER ROOT IRRIGATION DISTRICT IN THE MOST EFFICIENT MANNER WITH GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
C. TO MAINTAIN SOUND FISCAL POLICIES.
D. TO MAINTAIN THE TOTAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM TO THE DEGREE NECESSARY TO PRESERVE THE CAPACITY AND CONDITION OF THE FACILITIES IN A MANNER TO AVOID UNDUE DEPRECIATION, AND TO STORE AND DELIVER IRRIGATION WATER AS REQUIRED BY THE WATER USERS.
E. TO BE CONSTANTLY ALERT TO TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT AND ADOPT NEW PRACTICES WHICH WILL IMPROVE SYSTEM OPERATING EFFICIENCY.
F. TO PROMOTE THE WISE AND EFFICIENT USE OF AVAILABLE WATER AND THE CONSERVATION OF
PROJECT SOIL.
G. TO SUPERVISE AND MAINTAIN ALL WATER RIGHTS FILED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MONTANA IN COOPERATION WITH APPROPRIATE FEDERAL AGENCY.
II. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A. QUALIFICATIONS
1. MUST BE AN OWNER OF IRRIGABLE LAND WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND SHALL BE A RESIDENT OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE DIVISION OF THE DISTRICT, OR SOME PORTION THEREOF FOR WHICH SUCH COMMISSIONER SO ELECTED, IS LOCATED. (MCA 85-7-1501)
2. MUST BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION.
3. BE WILLING TO TAKE THE TIME NECESSARY TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN BOARD MEETINGS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AS NECESSARY.
4. MUST WORK WELL WITH OTHERS AS A TEAM AND SUPPORT MAJORITY DECISIONS.
5. MUST HAVE THE ABILITY TO CULTIVATE A RECEPTIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD PROPOSITIONS IN A POSITIVE MANNER.
6. BE OBJECTIVE SO THAT DECISIONS WILL BE MADE IN THE OVERALL INTEREST OF THE DISTRICT WITHOUT BEING INFLUENCED BY RELIGIOUS, POLITICAL OR OTHER ISSUES UNRELATED TO THE BUSINESS OF THE DISTRICT.
7. THREE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES FROM MEETINGS MAY BE REASON FOR DISMISSAL AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD.
E. THE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA SHALL INCLUDE AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING:
1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS REGULAR MEETING AND ANY SUBSEQUENT SPECIAL MEETINGS
2. REVIEW AND APPROVE DISBURSEMENTS
3. HEARING OF ANY PERSON(S) DESIRING TO BRING MATTERS BEFORE THE BOARD
4. BUSINESS BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD BY THE MANAGER
5. ANY OTHER OLD OR NEW BUSINESS
F. MINUTES OF EACH MEETING SHALL BE TAKEN BY THE SECRETARY AND WRITTEN IN PERMANENT FORM AND SHOULD INCLUDE:
1. DATE, PLACE AND TIME OF MEETING
2. A RECORD OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND OTHER PERSONS WHO ATTENDED THE MEETING AS WELL AS COMMISSIONERS WHO WERE NOT IN ATTENDANCE
3. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE BUSINESS OF THE DISTRICT
BROUGHT BEFORE THE MEETING
4. ALL MOTIONS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD SHOULD BE RECORDED, TOGETHER WITH
VOTE TAKEN
G. COMMISSIONERS WILL BE REIMBURSED AT RATES AND AMOUNTS PERMITTED UNDER STATE LAW AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME
H. REGULAR MEETINGS SHALL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. ANY PERSON WISHING TO PRESENT A COMPLAINT, COMMENT OR ANY OTHER MATTER TO THE BOARD MUST REQUEST TO DO SO TO ANY BOARD MEMBER OR THE MANAGER AT LEAST TWO WORKING DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEETING. THE REQUEST MUST INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION, IN WRITING, OF THE MATTER TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD
IV. DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY FROM THE BOARD TO THE MANAGER
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SHALL FURNISH THE MANAGER A CLEAR AND COMPLETE JOB
DESCRIPTION OF ALL THE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY THAT ARE DELEGATED
TO HIM. THE MANAGERS JOB DESCRIPTION SHALL BE REVIEWED BY THE BOARD PERIODICALLY AND AMENDED WHEN NECESSARY
V. ELECTIONS
A. THE RAVALLI COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER IS THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AND IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF ALL PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE CONDUCT
OF ELECTIONS AND WILL KEEP ALL RECORDS RELATING TO THE ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS
B. ALL DISTRICT ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN ACCORDANCE WITH MONTANA STATE CODE
VI. COLLECTIONS AND DELINQUENCIES
A. THE TREASURER OF RAVALLI COUNTY SHALL COLLECT THE O&M, ACCOUNT CHARGES AND CONSTRUCTION CHARGES LEVIED AGAINST EACH IRRIGABLE ACRE WITHIN THE DISTRICT. THESE CHARGES ARE PAYABLE BY EVERY LANDOWNER WHETHER WATER IS DELIVERED OR NOT
B. THE DISTRICT OFFICE MANAGER SHALL COLLECT OTHER CHARGES AGAINST DISTRICT WATERUSERS AND OTHERS INCLUDING FEES FOR EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS AND LABOR SUPPLIED, ADMINISTRATIVE FEES AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS FEES AND PAYMENTS