About Rosebud County
Rosebud County is Montana's largest jurisdiction as well as one of the least populated with less than 1 person per square mile. The County is located adjacent to Custer National Forest, and includes 15,097 square miles of land area. The topography is rolling with small hills. Elevations range from 1500 feet above sea level near the Yellowstone River to 4200 feet in the southern portion of the County near Ashland. To help orient people unfamiliar with the County, a simple map is included on this Web site. Demographics about the county are also available with information gathered from the 2002 census. You can also find out more by calling 406-351-xxxx.


Established in 1901

Rosebud County, named after the River that runs through it, was established by the State Convention in 1901, functioned under the County Commission system until 1948, when voters adopted a charter giving the County home rule and a council-manager form of government. In 1968, the voters approved a new charter providing for separate legislative and executive branches of government, with the legislative power vested in an elected council and executive power in an elected county executive. The new charter was fully implemented in 1970 with the November election of an executive and a council. The County Council is currently composed of nine members, four of whom are nominated and elected by voters from the entire County, and five who are elected by voters in each of the County's five Councilmanic districts. Terms for the County Executive and County Council are 4 years.

For a more detailed history of the County and its Government, please see "Rosebud County MONTANA -- Our History and Government," or visit one of our local libraries.

Current budget information is available at this site, including general information about the budget process and fiscal policy.

Elected Officials

The current County Commissioners are:

Other Elected Officials are:

Municipalities

The incorporated cities and towns, enact many of their own laws. The incorporated cities are Rosebud, Forsyth, Ashland, Colstrip, Byrney Lame Deer, Sumatra, Ingomar, , Laytonsville, Poolesville, Somerset, and Washington Grove.