Mineral County residents ask what’s happening in the Sheriff’s Office

By Fire Marshall rules, the Mineral County Commissioners conference room is capped at having no more than 49 individuals. By 11:30 a.m. last Friday there were that many present with another two dozen in the hallway and 29 on the Go-To-Meeting screen.

Most were there to find out what is happening in the Sheriff’s Office.

When Roman Zylawy, chairman of the commissioners, opened the meeting the first citizen to speak opened up the subject which everyone present wanted to discuss for the next hour and 15 minutes: ‘What is being done about replacing sheriff Mike Boone?’

Since Boone resigned June 29, there has been confusion circulating on his actual last day being Friday, July 3 or Saturday, August 1.

Chairperson Zylawy detailed the commissioner’s surprise and alarm when they were initially told June 29 that Boone planned to resign effective Friday, July 3 as it was only four days away, and it was the Friday before a major national holiday.

Also, Zylawy reminded the audience that only the Friday before, June 26, undersheriff Steve Trollope had effectively retired, and it had come to the

attention of the commissioners Monday, June 29, that two sheriff’s deputies for the county had also resigned.

Zylawy said only Boone can appoint an Undersheriff. The appointment of an undersheriff was one of the many reasons the commissioners sought out Boone to ask him to re-consider his initial date of resignation, so that the county could

attempt to “right the ship,” as Zylway described the Sheriff’s Office.

Ernie Ornealas, former Mineral County Sherriff, was sworn in as the temporary undersheriff Monday, July 6.

Boone remains the sheriff but as his letter of resignation states his medical condition keeps him from being in the office 40-plus hours a week.

Ornealas read directly from the Montana Code Annotated Title 7. Local Government Chapter 4 Part 22: County Officers in General (3): Whenever a vacancy occurs prior to August 1 before the general election held during the second year of the term, an individual must be elected to complete the term at that general election.

(4): Whenever a vacancy occurs after July 31 before the general election held during the second year of the term, the person appointed by the commissioners under subsection (2) shall serve until the end of the term.

“The county wants to know what it’s going to take to un-talk Boone so we can appoint somebody in house, who has already here who can be a working sheriff?” asked Brandy Taylor who is a former employee of the Mineral County Jail, referring to Boone’s last day.

If Boone were to move it to July 31 rather than Aug. 1, then the citizens would have a vote on their new sheriff rather than permitting the commissioners to appoint one. Commissioners Zylawy and Laurie Johnston answered questions and when needed, County Attorney Ellen Donohue was present for legal guidance and advice.

Commissioner Duane Simons had conflicting meetings and had been excused from attending. Zylawy stated that moving the resignation date is up to Boone and that if he hears from the citizens on why they want this done it will carry more weight than what any of the commissioners could do or say.

Like most meetings which have a strong attendance, it was emotional and vocal with many opinions and ideas from several speakers.

Taylor was concerned the subject would be ‘brushed under the rug’ until the deadline came and went so she was adamant about keeping this on the commissioner’s agenda with the next formal discussion on July 24.

A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for July 24, 2020, but the commissioners hope to schedule an evening meeting prior to that date.

Community members expressed their desire to keep this item at the forefront of the Commissioners Agendas and, as Ms. Taylor stated, not “sweep it under the rug.”

It was also mentioned that holding the meeting in a larger room would be better, but due to COVID-19 Phase II Directives, the county may require additional time so that it can consult with the Mineral County Board of Health for guidance on hosting an event in which more than 50 people may be in attendance.