Montana’s leading insurance agency for municipal workers plans to stop providing workers’ compensation in mid-2026, a move that could impact dozens of workers covered through Boulder’s city government.
The Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority, which works with local governments to pool employee funds for services including liability coverage, benefits, and risk management, offers workers’ compensation to five Boulder staffers, five elected officials and some two dozen people in emergency response and the volunteer fire department.
In an Oct. 20 letter to Boulder’s City Council, MMIA Interim Director Amanda Clark announced the planned end of the authority’s workers’ compensation program in July 2026. MMIA has struggled to meet costs, Clark explained, after 12 member municipalities left to join its competitor, the Montana State Fund.
Following the June dismissal of an anti-trust case against Montana State Fund and another insurance competitor, the March Mclennan Agency, Clark wrote that MMIA no longer saw workers’ compensation as financially viable. MMIA’s board decided to wind down the program, while giving members time to find an alternative.
The authority plans to honor claims filed before its July cessation date, and Boulder’s City Council expects to discuss alternative workers’ compensation plans at its January meeting.
Boulder’s annual Holiday Bazaar looms
The Boulder Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Holiday Bazaar this Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Jefferson High School’s north gym. Over 40 vendors will be selling holiday crafts and goodies, and Growing Community Naturally will offer homemade bread & soup.
Jefferson High headed to Europe
Jefferson High School has announced plans for a June 2027 trip to Spain and Portugal, led by Spanish teacher Wendy Schultz.
The latest edition of JHS’ biannual trip abroad welcomes students and their parents and other adult family members of JHS students, as well as alumni, faculty, staff and their children age 13 and up.
The total cost for the 10-day journey, which includes lodgings and tours in Madrid, Seville, Granada, and Lisbon, starts at $5,600. Learn more at explorica.com/Schultz-4507.
Headwaters 2026 lineup
Headwaters Country Jam, Montana’s largest annual country music festival, has announced its 2026 lineup, highlighted by Clint Black, Gavin Adcock, Wyatt Flores, and Avery Anna.
Taking place July 23-25 along Highway 2 between Cardwell and Three Forks, Headwaters has also begun ticket sales for next summer’s gathering, starting at $195 for a 3-day general admission. More info at https://headwaterscountryjam.com/.
—— From Nov 5 issue ——
Crime scene property partitioned
The owner of a Boulder home that was the site of a murder-suicide several years ago plans to partition the estate and is seeking possible heirs of the previous owner, David Leffler.
Ryan A. Ballard, an attorney at Vicevich Law handling the property for its owner, MontanaCasa LLC, said the company had not authorized him to name its principals. “The company does not wish to make a public statement on its plans for the house,” he said.
Unable to locate any of Leffler’s heirs, Ballard placed a notice of the planned division of the Garden Drive property in The Monitor. He had yet to receive any response as of Monday. He was aware of Leffler’s sister thought to be living in Florida, according to a 2023 Monitor article.
“I have no way to locate the unnamed sister in Florida,” he said.
JHS to observe Veteran’s Day
Jefferson High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society will host an observance of Veterans Day on Nov. 11. The ceremony, starting at 12 p.m., will feature remarks by former U.S. Marines Sergeant Jeff Otterson. Lunch with Otterson and other veterans will follow at 12: 45 p.m. The event is open to all.
—— From Oct 29 issue ——
Clancy water progress
The Clancy Water & Sewer District confirmed last week that the water volume at its promising new test well exceeds the required amount, another sign of progress after last month’s positive quality test.
“The results are favorable and it appears the well can sustain more than 265 gallons per minute” over a 24-hour period, said Great West Engineering’s Water Group Director Colette Anderson, referring to the test well on Steve Marks’ property near Prickly Pear Creek.
Further water quality tests will be performed before the well is cleared for use. Meanwhile, the Clancy Water & Sewer District board is set to review its options for the drilling of a nearby secondary well.
“The District is required to be able to meet maximum day demands with its largest source out of service,” Anderson told The Monitor. “A minimum of two wells will be required even if one can meet the system demands.”
New growth policy in effect
The Jefferson County Commission last week approved the county’s growth policy, putting into effect an updated decision-making guide for land use, infrastructure, and local services.
The new document, which the county Planning Board has been developing since early 2024, marks the policy’s first full revision in 22 years. The updated growth plan calls on the county to “work to strengthen and diversify its economy” and promote “responsible economic development”.
Though not legally required, a growth policy is often a prerequisite for government and private grants — a crucial funding source for the county.
