Nashua, Montana

Written by Nikki Rogers, EPA Region 8 Category 2 Specialist

Nashua is a small town in Valley County in Northeastern Montana with about 300 people. The town services both water and wastewater to the city.

Christina Washington, Town Clerk, contacted Montana Rural Water EFC TA Nikki Rogers to ask for help with her delinquent budget and Annual Financial Report documents. While visiting with her about said documents, I learned that they are looking for help with meter readers [$6,000] and possibly new meters. The Town has not yet started their Lead Service Line Inventory/Replacement, but they might have some money there for new meters, etc.

Issues TA Rogers has asked to review her last completed budget. Clerk Washington will send over the previous budget. Ms. Rogers encourages her to continue taking budget classes through the Montana Municipal Clerk's/Treasurers Association or Local Government Center. She feels networking with fellow clerks will expand her knowledge of the documents. Ms. Rogers also encouraged the Mayor to participate in the process and different classes.

Implementation / Solution Provide an on-site TA to help get the Budgets and AFRs up to date so the town can move forward in receiving funding. Clerk Washington expressed that she works best by doing the documents with someone helping her. She feels she does not learn from someone who just does the documents and does not explain how they arrived at the answers. TA Rogers will continue to help her.

Follow-Up Ms. Rogers will follow up with the Clerk, Mayor, and Public Works in the near future to see where things stand for them as another budget season approaches.