The Lincoln County Commission is holding a public hearing Wednesday, July 9, to restructure the county’s Port Authority Board.

The hearing, where public comment will be accepted, is scheduled to begin at 10:45 a.m. in commission chambers at the county courthouse in Libby.

The proposed resolution would rescind Resolution 999, which was adopted Jan. 24, 2018, and allow for a Port Authority Board to include up to seven members.

One member would be a sitting county commissioner while the other six would be citizen members at large, in alignment with recently updated Port Authority bylaws.

According to the proposed resolution, the intent is to increase public participation and efficient governance of the Port Authority.

Those interested are encouraged to attend and offer comment. Written comments will also be accepted prior to the hearing by mail to Lincoln County Commissioners, 512 California Ave., Libby, MT 59923 or by email to [email protected].

A full copy of the resolution is available for public inspection at the county Clerk and Recorder’s Office in the courthouse, by calling 406-283-2317 or on the county’s website at https://lincolncountymt.us/general-contacts/public-notices/.

When the Port Authority was formed in 2003, the board was made up of nine members, one a sitting county commissioner. In 2018, the county commission approved a resolution reforming the Port board to include five members, three of which were county commissioners.

Recently, Port Board members determined that up to seven members will allow for management of the authority and to encourage public participation.

Current county and Port Authority officials are facing accusations of secret dealings with local businessman Chris Noble relating to the sale of land on the Port Authority.

Libby resident Dan Torgison filed a lawsuit against the county earlier this year, alleging the Port Authority has violated the Montana Constitution and state statutes in violation of the right of public participation and open meeting laws.

Torgison, who most recently owned the Switchback Bar and Grill, accused the Lincoln County Commission, Port Authority and John Does 1-15, of hiding its business dealings with Noble Investment Properties, Inc., specifically the sale of 108 acres, owned by county taxpayers, from the Port Authority to Noble in 2023.

The current Port Authority board has five members. District 1 Commissioner Brent Teske occupies one seat. Four others occupy citizen at large positions - Jerry Bennett, Kevin Peck, Tony Petrusha and Chris Bache.