Water Files Fiasco

What started the heated discussion last night between Commissioner Jolley and Fiscal Service Director, Coleen Balzarini, was the location of the water rights files. All along, folks have been told they have to set up a time to travel with a city employee to Helena to view the files.

Commissioner Jolley asked Coleen if the city had the files. Coleen said no. Jolley said she asked because she was told the city did have them. Coleen got quite defensive and said that the original documents are with the State because the State is the actual owner of the water.

Jolley was told files were in the office of Martha Cappis, a fiscal service department employee. Coleen denied it and wanted to know who told her that. It turns out that Martha Cappis said it.

At the Petitions and Communications portion of the meeting, a member of the audience mentioned that a consultant from Water Right Solutions told folks at a work session that the city has 30" of water files at the fiscal department. So, does this mean they have been moved?

Coleen got caught and I think the way she wanted to get around it was to pitch a fit about the location of the original files. I don't think it's a stretch to say that everybody understands the State would have the originals, but it's a huge stretch to think the City wouldn't have copies pertaining to its own water rights. But that is what Balzarini was claiming.

It's time to fork over the files.