Chouteau County offers a wide range of services to the residents of the County, as well as outside visitors. Below is a list of services and/or responsibilities for each department, office, or agency of Chouteau County.
Listed alphabetically by department.
Services and Responsibilities by Department
Chouteau County Courthouse1308 Franklin StreetFort Benton, Montana
Hours of OperationMonday-Friday 8 AM to 5PMClosed on all Major Holidays.
Board Of County Commissioners
RAssessor & Appraisal
Chouteau County Attorney
Chouteau County Clerk & Recorder
Chouteau County Clerk of Court
Chouteau County Disaster & Emergency Services
Chouteau County Sheriff/Coroner
Chouteau County Library
Board Of County Commissioners
Located on the first floor of the courthouse(406) 622-3631
Clay RiehlBob PashaRick Darlington
Functions: Administrates County Government.
Chouteau County Assessor & Appraisal
Located at: Great Falls, MTBryce VanOverbeke(406) 454-7460Website: (note: currently being updated)https://mtrevenue.gov/government/pad-local/Functions: This office is administered by the Montana Dept. of Revenue. Responsibilities include discovering and valuing all taxable real and personal property, maintaining ownership records, preparing annual assessment rolls and state reports and determining which properties qualify for property tax reduction or exemption.
Chouteau County Attorney
Located on the second floor of the courthouse(406) 622-3246Functions: The Chouteau County Attorney is an elected official who serves as both the public prosecutor for the State of Montana and as the legal advisor for all county officials within Chouteau County. The County Attorney's office is divided into two divisions: Criminal and Civil.
Stephen Gannon
Chouteau County Clerk & Recorder
Located on the first floor of the courthouse(406) 622-5151Functions: The Chouteau County Clerk and Recorder is an elected official who provides the primary administrative function for recording and maintaining the majority of all the legal documents relating to real estate records, land descriptions, county birth and death records and the records of the Board of County Commissioners.
Lana Claassen
Chouteau County Clerk of Court
Located on the second floor of the courthouse(406) 622-5024Functions: The Chouteau County Clerk of Court provides the primary administrative function for the District Court of the 12th Judicial District Court. The office issues marriage licenses, and handles several case types including Civil, Probate, and Guardian/Conservator.
Rick Cook
Chouteau County Disaster & Emergency Services
Located in the basement of the courthouseChouteau County Courthouse(406) 622-3751website: http://www.chouteaucountydes.com/Functions: Prepares and manages plans and programs directed at disaster preparedness and coordination of response and recovery. This service is mandated by State Law (10-3-401 MCA) and is provided to the City and County by mutual aid agreement.
Located in the courthouse annex(406) 622-3751Functions: The Montana State University/Chouteau County Extension Office provides educational resources in Agriculture, 4-H/Youth, Family and Consumer Sciences. For additional information please visit our home page at chouteau.msuextension.org
Located at: 1518 Main StreetFort Benton, Montana 59442(406) 622-5222Fax: (406) 622-5294fblibrary@itstriangle.comFunctions: The Chouteau County Library, along with its branch libraries in Big Sandy and Geraldine, is committed to serving the county's residents as an accessible center of reliable information, without restrictions of censorship or violation of privacy. The Chouteau County Library is the oldest county library in the state of Montana; established in 1918. For additional information please visit our home page at https://www.chouteaucountylibrary.net/
Library Director: Emily Wicks
Chouteau County Mental Health Service
Located at: 1020 13th StreetFort Benton, Montana 59442(406) 622-5414Functions: The Mental Health and Services Division develops, mobilizes and manages resources for mental health services to residents of Chouteau County. The Division is responsible for providing or contracting for a continuum of counseling services, assessment and referral to adults, adolescents and children with mental health issues. The Division facilitates access and authorizes reimbursement to providers.
Chouteau County Sheriff/Coroner
Located at 1215 WashingtonFort Benton, Montana 59442Non-Emergencies (406) 622-5451Functions: The Chouteau County Sheriff s department is responsible for law enforcement and public safety throughout the county including the towns of Big Sandy, Geraldine, Loma, Carter, Highwood, and Square Butte. Among the Sheriff s responsibilities includes: •crime prevention & investigation•detention center administration & enhanced 9-1-1 dispatch•coroner duties•fire warden duties, including issuing of burning permits•civil process & bailiff duties•search and rescue
Located on the second floor of the courthouse(406) 622-3242Functions: The County Superintendent of Schools provides general supervision of public schools in the county. Assists trustees with school supervision. Provide for supervision to any school with an enrollment of fewer than 150 students and not under the supervision of a district superintendent or principal. Administer oaths of office to trustees.
Rick Cook
Chouteau County Treasurer
Located on the first floor of the courthouse(406) 622-5032Functions: This office is the collection and distribution center for all taxes in Chouteau County, including annual re-registration and titling of cars, trucks and other motorized vehicles (boats, motor homes, snowmobiles, trailers, motorcycles, special mobile equipment, gross vehicle weight charges).
Toni Eckhoff
Department of Child & Family Services
Located at 1020 13th StreetFort Benton, Montana 59442(406) 622-5414Functions: The Department of Child and Family Services is the office that investigates and provides protective services to children who are abused or neglected. Their mission is to keep children safe and families strong. They also may provide assistance in referring families to support services to help preserve the family unit.
Department of Public Health
Located at 1020 13th StreetFort Benton, Montana 59442(406) 622-3771Functions: The Chouteau County Department of Public Health is responsible for promoting and protecting the health of Chouteau County citizens. The major areas within the department are Personal Health Services, which provides services to prevent illnesses and chronic diseases; Environmental Health, which monitors and responds to environmental conditions and issues that may impact the public's health; chemical dependency and developmental disabilities services; and Administration, which provides for the management and oversight of the department and includes a role in community leadership and planning.
Angel Johnson, FNP
Justice of the Peace Court
Located in the courthouse basement406-622-5502Functions: The office of Justice of the Peace is set up by the Constitutional and Statutory Authority for the purpose of administering justice to the citizens of Chouteau County and the State of Montana. The Courts must enforce its judgments, orders and process; control the conduct of its employees; administer oaths, perform weddings, and comply with Constitutional Law and Statutory Law.
Seth Broesder
Chouteau County Planning Office
Located in the courthouse basement(406) 495-6153Functions: The County Planning Department provides land use planning and development services to resident of Chouteau County. Duties of the Department include:• Supporting the County Commission and County Planning Board on land use issues.• Managing and administering the County’s Development Regulations.• Managing and administering the County’s Subdivision Regulations.• Review of certificates of survey and exemptions from subdivision review.Website: Planning Office
Stephen GannonLocated on the second floor of the courthouse(406) 622-3246
Chouteau County Clerk & Recorder
Lana Claassen Located on the first floor of the courthouse(406) 622-5151
Chouteau County Clerk of Court
Rick CookLocated on the second floor of the courthouse(406) 622-5024
Disaster & Emergency Services
Deb Gessaman - DES/EMS CoordinatorKellie Butler - Deputy DES/Mapping & Addressing CoordinatorLocated in the basement of the courthouseChouteau County Courthouse(406) 622-3751website: http://www.chouteaucountydes.com/
Chouteau County Extension Service
County Agent: Tyler Lane County Agent: Janell Barber janellb@montana.eduAdministrative Assistant: Deb EvansLocated in the courthouse annex(406) 622-3751Website: chouteau.msuextension.org