The Sidney herald., 1961-01-04

for planning and construction.
Such a board would furnish eng1-
neering and architectural services
to all state departments including
the university units, and boards
and commissions for the conStruc-
ton of state buildings. 1t would
approve the architectural design,
solicit and let bids for construc-
ton, and SUPERVISE construction
or major repairs.
In addition, plans and specifica-
tions for every school built or re-
modelled extensively within the
state could and should be checked
by such a board.
The Importance of one central
agency administering all capital
improvements for the state of
Montana is obvious for efficiency,
economy, standardization, safety,
and the progressive, orderly and
timely development of the states
capital Improvement needs. With
all construction channeled through
one agency, there is no possibility
of duplication.
To meet the demands of a state
with the growth potential of Mon
tana, long range planning is es-
sential, not only for actual build
ing requirements, but for the syS-
tematic expenditure of capital out
lay as well. The economy and
practically of multi-and joint
use buildings can only be planned
by n agency fully cognizant of
the space requirements for every
office, agency and institution
within the state.
Members of the board should be
a well-paid highly qualified state
engineer; a well+paid, highly quail
flied architect; two lay members
to serve on a per diem basis, and
the governor.
With the building construction
moratorium mentioned in effect
during the next two years, the
state of Montana Planning Board
would study the building needs of
the departments, and establish a
priority building program based
on such needs, and would report
their findings and recommended
tons to the next assembly. The
legislature, could then intelligent
ly authorize construction of build
ings where most urgently needed.
Such a program would ave the
state of Montana many times the
capital investment and would be
good business. If adopted, the
present positions of supervising en-
gineer, and building inspector for
the Board of Examiners should be
abolished inaSmuch as the Plan
ming Board engineer and Plan
ming Board architect would per-
form the duties of these positions.
This board would also provide a
continuous maintenance and re-
pair program.
A number of state departments
such as Fish and Game, the Oil
and Gas Conservation Commission
and the Highway Department OPP
crate, free of legislative control,
on fees authorized by law and col
lected by them. In many of these
fee-Supported boards, bureaus and
commissions income has been
greater than operating costs to the
extent that SURPRISES have beer
created. A small surplus as {
cushion in case of emergency is
| sound business practice. But large
surpluses have in almost every
case resulted in increased cost Of
=. operation of the department tt
that point where the surplus i!
: eliminated and there follows a re.
t quest for increase in fees to tbs
1 detriment of all Montanans. Thu;
has been born a vicious and cost
ly cycle.
e / realize that by constitutions
t provision highway funds canno
s be diverted to other uses and tina
is as it should be if we are to haV'
e a sound highway program at TIL
: least cost possible. l fully appre
= ciate that Fish and Game funds
y if we are TO continue with FEEDER
e al programs, cannot be diverteV
e for other uses and I will say nov
that 1 am opposed to placing Fisl
. and Game receipts in the genera
a fund for appropriation back to tn
n department.. Thsi money come
h from Montana Sportsmen an
It should be used for the purpose
e intended by the people who pa
the fees.
b But you and the people of Mon
= tana should know that becaus
: these departments collect an
= spend their own funds, the legis
1t lature has, in the past, exercise
: control over less than 25% {
/ state government funds. Member
+ of the legislature are elected b
IL the people; come to Helena to reE
'e resent the people. But more tina
1870 of state expenditures al
De made not by legislators but b
boards, Bureaus and commission
C. and department personnel owe
whom former lawmakers had lit
or no control.
We To correct this situation ever
E. department of government n;
lg been put ON a budget, even thoug
i income to a particular departmel
gs is in excess of the amount allo
&c ted.
ne In most instances decisions as
tie expenditures by departments Wi