CURRENT NEWSLETTER
GARNET MOUNTAINS PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
September 2026 Newsletter
As summer begins to wind down, GMPOA has made substantial progress on road work throughout the community. Since July, crews and volunteers have worked on grading, drainage, cattle guards, culverts, road widening, aggregate placement, and major improvements on Chimney Lakes Road and Hoover Creek Road. This newsletter provides an update on the work completed so far, the current financial report, what is planned for the remainder of the road season, and what the Board will be focusing on through the winter months.
2026 Road Work
Since early July, GMPOA has completed a significant amount of maintenance, repair, and reconstruction throughout the road system. What began primarily as grading and routine maintenance expanded into drainage improvements, cattle guard repairs and replacements, culvert work, road widening, aggregate placement, and major reconstruction on Chimney Lakes Road.
The work has been completed using a combination of rental equipment, volunteer equipment, and the time and labor of GMPOA Board members, Road Committee members, property owners, and volunteer equipment operators. Equipment used has included a grader, D6 dozer, backhoe, dump truck, dump trailers, and other machinery.
Through September 11, the following work has been completed:
- More than 31 miles of GMPOA roads have been graded.
- More than 4 miles of Chimney Lakes Road have undergone substantial reconstruction.
- At least 1,008 cubic yards of aggregate had been placed on Chimney Lakes Road by August 7. Additional top coat material has been placed since that time, meaning the current total is higher.
- Six cattle guards have been addressed. Two were completely replaced or upgraded, while four were removed, cleaned, rebuilt with new bunks, and reset.
- Six culverts have been completed, including repairs, cleaning, installation, and extension work.
- Several miles of ditching and drainage work have been completed.
- Water bars have been installed or improved in problem areas.
- Dangerous and narrow sections of road have been widened and reshaped.
- Muddy and unstable sections have received base material to improve the road foundation.
- Material removed from a rock slide on Hoover Creek Road was reused as road base and also helped widen the road in that area.
July Road Work
Road work restarted in early July with grading and general maintenance throughout the GMPOA road system. During the first two weeks, approximately 30 miles of roads had been graded.
Crews also began addressing several infrastructure problems identified throughout the road system.
- A deteriorated cattle guard on Hoover Creek Road was removed and replaced with a larger and safer unit.
- A cattle guard on Chimney Lakes Road was removed and cleaned, new bunks were installed, and the cattle guard was reset.
- A damaged culvert on Hoover Creek Road was repaired.
- A problem turn on Hoover Creek Road that had been holding water was corrected to improve drainage.
- Crews also began removing material from a rock slide on Hoover Creek Road. Usable rock was reused as road base in unstable areas, while removal of the slide material allowed the roadway in that area to be widened.
- Chimney Lakes Road became one of the largest projects undertaken during the 2026 road season. The road had significant drainage, mud, clay, width, and road base problems that required more extensive work. A D6 dozer, backhoe, dump truck, grader, and other equipment were used as reconstruction progressed.
- Work included placing base rock in clay and mud areas, improving drainage, cutting and cleaning ditches, constructing water bars, widening dangerous sections, reshaping problem areas, rebuilding weak road base, and placing top coat. Approximately 700 cubic yards of aggregate had been placed.
Powell County also graded approximately the first two miles of the Jens exit. This was county work and is not included in GMPOA completed work totals.
- Road and infrastructure work continued throughout August. By early August, more than four miles of Chimney Lakes Road had undergone substantial reconstruction. From August 3 through August 7, another 308 cubic yards of aggregate was placed, bringing the documented total to at least 1,008 cubic yards.
- During this period, two culverts were cleaned to restore drainage and a new culvert was installed on Chimney Lakes Road.
- Another deteriorated cattle guard on Hoover Creek Road was removed and replaced with an upgraded cattle guard, bringing the total number of completely replaced or upgraded cattle guards to two.
- Work also continued on drainage, ditching, road shaping, aggregate placement, and Chimney Lakes Road reconstruction.
September Road Work
- Road work resumed in September with a focus on cattle guards, drainage, and road surfacing.
- Two cattle guards at the Mud Creek-Hoover Creek intersection were removed and cleaned. New bunks were installed, and both cattle guards were reset.
- Another cattle guard on Hoover Creek Road near the same junction was also removed and cleaned, new bunks were installed, and the cattle guard was reset.
- Crews also began placing additional top coat rock in areas where surfacing was needed.
- On Chimney Lakes Road, a five-foot extension was added to an existing culvert.
Hoover Creek Road
Hoover Creek Road has received work at several points throughout the season. Completed work has included culvert repairs, cattle guard work, drainage improvements, removal of material from a rock slide, reuse of that material as road base, and widening in the rock slide area. The next major phase of work on Hoover Creek Road will focus on replacing failed culverts and installing additional culverts in areas where improved drainage is needed.
What Is Next for Road Work
Road work will continue on Hoover Creek Road, with crews focusing on failed culverts and additional drainage improvements. Crews will also continue addressing road surfacing, drainage, cattle guards, and other problem areas as conditions, equipment, materials, and available help allow. As fall progresses, priorities will shift toward completing the most important remaining projects before winter conditions bring the 2026 road season to a close.
Cattle Lease Funding and Road Improvements
The progress made on GMPOA roads this year would not have been possible at this scale without the funds generated by the cattle grazing lease. The 2026 cattle lease brought $20,000 into the Association. Those funds provided GMPOA with the ability to rent equipment, purchase road rock, provide fuel, repair equipment, and support the road improvement projects completed throughout the community.
The cattle lease has allowed GMPOA to take on projects that go well beyond basic road maintenance, including the major reconstruction on Chimney Lakes Road, cattle guard improvements, culvert and drainage work, road widening, and improvements to problem areas throughout the road system.
Volunteer labor and privately provided equipment have helped stretch those funds even further, but the cattle lease provided the financial foundation that made this level of road work possible.
The results seen throughout the community this year are a direct example of how revenue generated from the grazing lease can be reinvested back into GMPOA roads and infrastructure for the benefit of the community.
Beginning Account Balance, February, 2026: $5,143.39
Income:
Culvert Sales: $60.00
Mannix Brothers Grazing Lease Payment: $20,000.00
Total Available Funds: $25,203.39
July BBQ and annual meeting: Total $3007.39
Food: $942.72 (some of the food at the BBQ was leftover from lunch provided to property owners who helped clean tree debris from Hoover Creek Road)
Raffle Prizes: $1,964.67
BBQ Area Mowing and Cleanup: $100.00
Road Work: Total $16,468.36
Equipment Rentals: $5,979.99
Rick White Cattle Guard Cleanout: $450.00
Fuel: $2,886.74
Hydraulic Oil for Equipment: $688.19
Road Rock: $3,850.00
Equipment Tire Repair and Replacement: $1,113.44
Dump Truck and Driver Rental: $1,500.00
Taxes and Fees: $716.37
Property Tax for Chimney Creek Park: $36.37
Registration with the Secretary of State: $20.00
2025 tax preparation and payment of Federal and State Taxes: $660.00
Website Services: $307.26
Total Expenses: $20,499.38
Ending Balance as of September 11: $4,704.01
Winter Preparation and Planning
Historically, GMPOA has not operated a formal winter snowplowing program, and that will remain the case going into the 2026 winter season. GMPOA will, however, be storing fuel that can be used by community members who are helping plow and maintain roads during winter conditions. GMPOA plans to store a total of 110 gallons of fuel for winter road snow removal. One 55-gallon barrel will be stored at the Vice President Dave Southcott’s property and one 55-gallon barrel will be stored at Board member Dave Israel’s property.
A fuel log will be kept at each location showing the date, who took fuel, and how many gallons were taken. This will provide accountability for the fuel and help ensure that GMPOA fuel is being used for Association road snow removal. The exact dollar amount spent will depend on the fuel price when the 110 gallons are purchased.
The goal is to help support those efforts without creating the expectation that GMPOA will be providing regular snow removal services.
As road construction and maintenance slow down for the winter, the Board will shift its focus toward planning and administrative work for the coming year.
Winter priorities will include continued work on the GMPOA website, including discussion of potential changes in the Bylaws. Any potential updates will be discussed with community input, and the website can serve as one place where property owners can review proposed changes, ask questions, and provide their input.
Any formal changes will follow the requirements of the existing bylaws and all applicable procedures. The community will have the opportunity to help shape what changes are considered, and any amendments requiring a property owner vote will be decided by the property owners through the proper voting process.
The Board will also work on developing the 2027 road work plan.
The winter months will be used to review the work completed in 2026, identify remaining problem areas, prioritize future road projects, and begin planning equipment, materials, and project needs for the 2027 road season. While physical road work will slow during the winter, planning for next year’s improvements will continue.
Volunteer Recognition
A large portion of the road work completed this season has been made possible by volunteers who have contributed their time, labor, equipment, and experience. From grading, hauling, and equipment operation to cattle guard work, culverts, road inspections, cleanup, and project coordination, community volunteers have played a major role in the progress made since July.
GMPOA would like to thank everyone who has helped with the 2026 road work and community projects. Your time and effort have made a real difference in what has been accomplished this season. Thank you to everyone who has helped support the work completed this season.
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July 2026 Newsletter
A Message from Your Board
As we move into the heart of summer, your GMPOA Board has been hard at work serving our community. Over the past several months, we’ve focused on improving communication, strengthening relationships, planning for the future, and addressing road maintenance and infrastructure needs throughout the association.
While there is still much work ahead, we are proud of the progress that has been made. Every Board member has volunteered countless hours because we all share the same goal: protecting and improving the Garnet Mountain community for everyone.
We also want to thank the many property owners who have volunteered their time, equipment, ideas, and support. Community involvement is what makes organizations like the GMPOA successful, and we encourage everyone to stay involved as we continue moving forward together.
2026 Grazing Lease Signed
We are pleased to announce that the 2026 grazing lease has officially been signed.
This agreement represents months of discussion, planning, and cooperation. The Board would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Mannix family for their
willingness to work with the GMPOA and for the positive relationship we continue to build together.
We also want to recognize the dedication of the Board members who devoted many hours to negotiating and finalizing the agreement. Their commitment and teamwork helped bring this process to a successful conclusion.
Revenue generated from the grazing lease plays an important role in supporting the Association. These funds help provide resources for road maintenance, infrastructure improvements, community events, improved communication with property owners, and other projects that benefit the entire GMPOA community.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this agreement possible.
Community Road Improvements
Improving and maintaining our road system continues to be one of the Board’s highest priorities. Throughout the spring and early summer, Board members and volunteers have dedicated many hours to clearing fallen trees, cleaning drainage areas, evaluating culverts, and identifying areas requiring maintenance.
In addition to addressing current road conditions, the Board is also working toward developing a long term maintenance strategy that will help prioritize future improvements, make the best use of available resources, and improve planning for years to come.
As the season progresses, the Board will continue evaluating road conditions and prioritizing grading, drainage improvements, ditch maintenance, culvert repairs, and other infrastructure projects as funding, equipment, and volunteer resources allow.
Road maintenance is an ongoing effort, and we appreciate the patience and support of our property owners as we continue working to improve access throughout the GMPOA.
Volunteers Make the Difference
The GMPOA is a volunteer driven organization. Every hour spent planning, attending meetings, maintaining roads, organizing community events, updating communications, and serving on the Board is donated by members of our community.
We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has volunteered their time, equipment, skills, and support this year. Whether you’ve helped with road
cleanup, shared ideas, attended meetings, or simply offered encouragement, your contributions are appreciated.
As our community continues to grow, so does the need for volunteers. If you would like to get involved with future road projects, community events, or other GMPOA activities, we encourage you to reach out to any Board member. Working together, we can accomplish far more than any one person or small group can alone.
Join Us for the 2026 GMPOA Community BBQ!
The GMPOA Board is excited to invite all property owners and their families to our 2026 Community BBQ. This is a great opportunity to meet your Board members, visit with your neighbors, enjoy a great meal, and spend a few hours together as a community.
This picnic is intended to be a fun, community building event. No Board meeting or Association business will be conducted during the BBQ, allowing everyone the opportunity to simply relax, visit with neighbors, and enjoy the afternoon together.
- Hamburgers
- Hot Dogs
- Bratwurst
- Chips
- Drinks
If you would like to bring a favorite side dish or dessert to share, we would love to have it, but it is certainly not required.
Please consider bringing a lawn chair, as seating will be limited.
We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate Independence Day and continue building a stronger, more connected GMPOA community.
Community Raffle
As part of this year’s Community BBQ, the GMPOA will be holding our first community raffle. A portion of the revenue generated from the Association’s grazing lease has been used to purchase raffle prizes as a small way of giving back to our property owners and thanking you for your continued support of the GMPOA.
Raffle Time: 12:30 PM Raffle Rules
- Participants must be at least 18 years of age.
- You must be present to receive a raffle ticket.
- You must be present to win.
The raffle drawing will begin promptly at 12:30 PM. We encourage everyone to stay, enjoy the afternoon, and celebrate with this year’s winners.
We hope this becomes an enjoyable community tradition for years to come.
Stay Connected
The GMPOA is rebuilding its community email distribution list, and we need your help.
To ensure you continue receiving newsletters, community updates, event announcements, and other important Association information, we ask that all property owners sign up for our new email list, even if you have received GMPOA emails in the past.
Our goal is to communicate more consistently, keep property owners informed throughout the year, and make it easier to share important information affecting our community.
Please stop by the Board table during the Community BBQ to add your name and email address. It only takes a minute and will help us build a reliable communication network for our community.
You can also stay informed by following the GMPOA Facebook page and visiting our website for the latest news, newsletters, and community updates.
Thank you for helping us strengthen communication throughout the GMPOA community.
Meet Your 2026 GMPOA Board
Your GMPOA Board is made up entirely of volunteers who are committed to serving our community and working together to improve the Association for all property owners.
President Ean Kennedy
Vice President Beau Pauley
Treasurer Rene Pauley
Director of Communications & Outreach Heather Brenner
Director at Large Mike Hanson
Director at Large Dave Southcott
Director at Large Shawn King
We encourage you to introduce yourself at the Community BBQ. We value your ideas, feedback, and involvement, and we look forward to getting to know more of our neighbors. If you have questions, suggestions, or would like to volunteer, we encourage you to speak with any Board member.
Looking Ahead
As we continue through the summer and into the fall, the Board will remain focused on several important priorities:
- Continuing road maintenance and infrastructure improvements.
- Expanding our community email list and improving communication.
- Supporting volunteer road work and community involvement.
- Continuing to improve and expand the GMPOA website into a valuable resource for our community. Planned additions include a community classifieds section where property owners can buy, sell, and trade items, advertise services, post equipment for rent, share community announcements, volunteer opportunities, and other information that benefits our neighborhood. We also plan to continue expanding the website with newsletters, meeting information, Association resources, and other useful content.
- Establishing a community fuel storage program to support property owners who volunteer their time and equipment to plow GMPOA roads during the winter months. Fuel will be stored at the residences of the GMPOA President and Vice President and will be available to volunteers performing snow removal on Association roads. The goal of this program is to help support the volunteers who dedicate their time, equipment, and fuel to keeping our roads open and accessible throughout the winter. Property owners who are plowing Association roads this winter are encouraged to contact any Board member to request fuel.
- Planning future projects and events that strengthen our community.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to build a stronger GMPOA.
Did You Know?
Did you know the GMPOA is entirely volunteer run?
Every member of the GMPOA Board serves on a volunteer basis. From attending meetings and planning projects to organizing community events, maintaining communications, negotiating grazing leases, and coordinating road improvements, Board members donate their time to help serve our community.
Did you know grazing lease revenue benefits the entire community?
Revenue generated from the grazing lease helps support road maintenance, infrastructure improvements, community events, communication efforts, and other Association projects that benefit all property owners.
Did you know we’re rebuilding our community email list?
The GMPOA is creating a new email distribution list to improve communication with property owners. If you’d like to receive newsletters, community updates, and important announcements, please stop by the Board table at the Community BBQ to sign up.
Did you know volunteers help keep our roads open during the winter?
Many property owners volunteer their own time, equipment, and fuel to plow snow and improve road access during the winter months. This year, the GMPOA is establishing a community fuel storage program to help support those volunteers and encourage continued community involvement.
Thank You
On behalf of the entire GMPOA Board, thank you for your continued support of our community. We appreciate your patience, your ideas, your volunteer efforts, and your willingness to work together as we continue making improvements throughout the Association.
While there is still much to accomplish, we are excited about the progress being made and the opportunities ahead. By working together with respect, cooperation, and a shared commitment to our community, we can continue building a stronger GMPOA for current and future property owners.
We hope you and your family have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day, and we look forward to seeing you at the Community BBQ on July 4th!
Garnet Mountains Property Owners Association
PO Box 122
Helmville, MT 59843
gmpoa.net