[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6056831,"mediaKeyId","3308623-8dfad40b25b6de9394f63d13f1905661","parentId",3308623,"title","County awards airport pavement contract to CR Contracting (Bend, Oregon)","audioSeconds",46,"startMs",12320000,"endMs",12366000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308623-8dfad40b25b6de9394f63d13f1905661&start=12320&end=12366","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308623-8dfad40b25b6de9394f63d13f1905661/thumbnail_12320000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6056831/Carter-County/Montana/County-awards-airport-pavement-contract-to-CR-Contracting-Bend-Oregon","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056831-04e30ab053c3d5e2906757d57d878af7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181931&Signature=jFZ2wGjpmja25WTHrIUi5-BwIt3ED2lXPqIgzs37v~4t3pic65rBaA-W1DySaKNJ8SHJqH9eYOPp-ZdDgEllYXVnGQFwExMGcl44Rh43zAclToGKTtaA74FNm~b5D8GP7VrHjXrr8bArIlujbhv-0XkFRrxhLJyyxlrsQbP6IQb9-q~MVW~r0hysGulK10qzZARF0gfTkrIXJcdG3aODwKifv3xuN9C3mjqyyO1MTxZlgD5F3HlDRdjzY~3mOgINqwdr1ozfbhqPNYOM8kRB7xft3ihFbfw1C2vwJcnx4BP09sWay3vSlMJWO1Ur0TGW8vzOJ18pc0iVYtSW2TUXTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MT / Carter County","date","2025-05-12T00:00:00Z","article","Carter County commissioners approved a low-bid award for airport pavement maintenance to CR Contracting of Bend, Oregon at $164,769.55, a figure the county’s engineering firm said was below the engineer’s estimate.

KLG Engineering presented the low-bid report and the commissioners moved and seconded acceptance of CR Contracting’s bid. Commissioners said two bids came in below the engineer’s cost projection. The award will allow county staff to proceed with contract execution and project scheduling.

No public comment was offered during the award. The county will receive contractor paperwork and coordinate project timing and inspection with KLG Engineering.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Carter County Commissioners Proceedings May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Carter County accepted the low bid from CR Contracting of Bend, Oregon, for an airport pavement maintenance project; the low bid was $164,769.55, less than the engineer's estimate.","taxTitle","Carter County, Montana","taxId",79615,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056836,"County weighs abatement and demolition approach for old hospital; engineering oversight recommended",712,9497000,10209000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308623-8dfad40b25b6de9394f63d13f1905661&start=9497&end=10209","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308623-8dfad40b25b6de9394f63d13f1905661/thumbnail_9497000.jpg","/articles/6056836/Carter-County/Montana/County-weighs-abatement-and-demolition-approach-for-old-hospital-engineering-oversight-recommended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056836-43b1cc4bfff64ca9c3f32a5cc1dc0119/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181931&Signature=JnMWsBuqlT4mZOwh-hxkLEVG6TPIGlFkkXpPmgjAf4dhODd3uEuR63efb2n-8~puyLPP7wHhmntSKVLr02OJZdYMcy7RiQR5EP4jMiPVNf5ZaRLqkALUF73xKITcwPMz8AYDJzl9Qyb8PCvRLKKxLdQqo~qrsOLyPiwSOduDR48y8x6klbcnnQo394nOrjXtmegXBBYo6cuJqHyRXXR2SnF1LRUdb7he5HPs14o8Tmkw0HdXorwpzO7HX2fPMeHnesGuBlzJHHpWok8MN6S9MPPnayBPPsZHVPR8o3yDDcK5UazaSpJ5a~prPelwzWXEOyG2AJTNjlF~qIp9M7Xcqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carter County commissioners discussed next steps for the scheduled abatement and demolition of the old county hospital, reviewing environmental assessments completed in 2022 and a more recent contractor estimate that rose from roughly $301,000 to more than $400,000.

County staff and an abatement contractor representative said the county already has a Phase I/Phase II environmental assessment and that the assessment will need review or an update because the assessment approaches three years old; the consultant indicated the county’s three‑year window for relying on the existing assessment will expire this September. The abatement representative recommended a phased procurement: first an abatement/clearance phase under the engineer’s specifications, then a demolition contract once clearances are in hand. The firm advised the county to require bonding and prevailing‑wage compliance for bidders and to use a qualified engineer to write bid documents so the county is protected against scope changes and undisclosed conditions that can raise costs during demolition.

The consultant also noted that local construction costs have increased and that travel and mobilization to remote eastern Montana sites can add materially to bids. Commissioners discussed Brownfields grant options but noted that the Brownfields approach can require additional steps and reviews that could increase time and, in some cases, cost. The county agreed to ask the environmental contractor to re‑review the existing assessment, to contact DEQ about extension or re‑validation options, and to prepare a specification package and estimate for an abatement contract.

Next steps: staff will obtain updated abatement numbers, explore bonding and prevailing wage requirements, and circulate revised bid documents for commissioner review. The county and consultant discussed using an engineer to oversee the abatement and to provide clear bid language to reduce the risk of contractor disputes or scope creep during demolition.","Officials reviewed environmental assessments for the old hospital and discussed moving to a phased abatement/demolition procurement; consultants warned that costs have risen and recommended bonded contractors and engineered bid documents to avoid delays and unexpected discoveries.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056841,"Commissioners, engineers begin planning heated shop in Boyes using LATC grant funds",1647,10379000,12026000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308623-8dfad40b25b6de9394f63d13f1905661&start=10379&end=12026","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308623-8dfad40b25b6de9394f63d13f1905661/thumbnail_10379000.jpg","/articles/6056841/Carter-County/Montana/Commissioners-engineers-begin-planning-heated-shop-in-Boyes-using-LATC-grant-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056841-ebc269801e2e7d02d81325690e086b44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181931&Signature=B88RpIBWlECf8pU9hK637FBTxUxegY1m7W4a6UTPYbssKQZgmfLb1Dkcb0gSu4RRv0voPZFok3iLhKboWHKbSLkJUI8L2WvqeNm9uyaCkcwufP6SZXw4sJcU2~-AmyC9UsCdYwpUccRguILTnolpVIdpQG8w1L~Wh-RffVRpE6wlsJ~5TokhVAqk~JM46myMDH5zZBTgJ0DvM~I5H5MwzXnEBWVX9jurovKloSyGfIXxR-SR-~groMZQj1dc4EvpH66MvxNsu3RIpTJebPTpa1IDiTEjqo55PBjTbRXwmI1KXOH7O8WsmF8TCJ1YGssoZBlskNRdxXmHSPeHKXwN~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County commissioners and an engineering firm began scoping a heated equipment shop for Boyes that county leaders hope to fund with Local Assistance/Tribal Community (LATC) funds. The engineering consultant said the firm would prepare a project approach, check material and contractor availability, and present a construction budget and procurement plan at the commissioners’ next meeting.

Greg, the consulting engineer on the call, advised that a 40‑foot width is typical and that wood‑frame (stud) construction on a concrete slab often is more cost‑effective for buildings up to about 50–60 feet wide; metal clear‑span structures can become more economical once widths grow beyond that. The engineer also recommended early checks for contractor availability and potential federal funding requirements tied to LATC dollars (Buy American preferences, environmental clearances and bonding/certificate requirements) because federal funding can add compliance obligations that affect cost and schedule.

Commissioners told the consultant the county can perform site preparation with its road crew (grading and gravel work) to reduce project cost; they asked the firm to assume minimal site work in the initial budget and to look for a design that can be sized to accommodate a possible future third bay for fire equipment. The county staff and consultant discussed drainage, the practical need for an internal floor drain or detention basin for snowmelt and wash water, and options for rough‑in plumbing for future expansion.

Next steps: The consultant will put together contractor calls, a recommended building type and an initial construction budget and will present a project plan at the commission’s May 19 meeting. Commissioners asked the firm to provide an approach that targets construction this calendar year and to include options that keep the project within the LATC funds the county has available.","County commissioners engaged a consulting engineer to develop a project approach and budget for a heated remote shop building in Boyes, aiming to use local assistance (LATC) funding; the firm will return with a budget and procurement plan at the next meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056846,"Carter County awards two Kenworth trucks; commissioners send loader bids for further review",1271,1449000,2720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308623-8dfad40b25b6de9394f63d13f1905661&start=1449&end=2720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308623-8dfad40b25b6de9394f63d13f1905661/thumbnail_1449000.jpg","/articles/6056846/Carter-County/Montana/Carter-County-awards-two-Kenworth-trucks-commissioners-send-loader-bids-for-further-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056846-2614ae1b1a85743712e52dfb9b992d45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181931&Signature=nkXT~wNO2jlj1nZc-DMj~-NBpPOrv-IRSuK3IG6Pdd0-1U6ATCczLbldqhdJIGTIaIZ~wGBnsZRJkDzqTExAWkUNcsXmloJL-jb9LtkPKd4lWgDWgmnRVQoTVqdP-315cszyVHlK8SfkqN155MxApiCCKn~IIv5Eb-Cp6T4vw~L-B-v3J3fGzkoYnj5PEbKfPyJBVIdnv01kUFqnlGzdTy~io3X5XMUt9y-W3ufelB3aeWgasiTvo1EzvYR7uqWzFwq57ipvl6I-eGx4IDRWfb6pg78oHFTOYOyaylnq9pih9KyCo~7~RTZd0MfGrU4--~nltoG1f72SbJEdI~fVjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carter County commissioners voted to purchase two heavy trucks from Black Hills Truck of Rapid City and deferred final decisions on multiple front‑end loader bids until staff can complete inspections and compare options.

At the meeting the chairman moved to buy a 2026 Kenworth T880 for $180,902.20 and a Kenworth W900 for $217,976.10; the motion as read into the record described those two prices and the total amount stated in the motion. Commissioners voted in favor. The recorded motion and tally were read during the meeting.

Earlier in the session the county opened multiple bids for front‑end loaders from several vendors. Vendors who introduced their bids included Marvin Dole of Voyage Truck Center (Rapid City), David Mills of Tri State Truck and Equipment (Billings), representatives from Titan Machinery, RDO (John Deere), Modern Machinery (Komatsu), and T and E Caterpillar. Bids varied by make, year, trade allowance and whether the offer was for a machine in stock or a factory order; reported bid prices with and without trade-ins ranged roughly in the mid‑$300,000s to low‑$450,000s depending on model and options. The county’s procurement official said some loaders were in stock with low hours, while others would be built to order.

Commissioners said they will review the loader bids in more detail and scheduled time on the next meeting (May 19) to complete the evaluation. Staff noted that some vendors included optional equipment and that the county will ask follow-up questions about needed specifications and whether lower‑cost packages would meet operational needs.

The vendor presentations and the truck purchase vote were recorded in the meeting minutes. Commissioners asked staff to prepare a full comparison of loader options—including trade‑in value, included options, delivery timelines and warranty terms—before making an award.","Commissioners approved purchase of two new trucks from Black Hills Truck of Rapid City and reviewed multiple loader bids; loader award will be decided after staff inspection and review of options.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6056851,"School officials ask Carter County for one-time payment to reach STARS Act starting-teacher salary",0,464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308623-8dfad40b25b6de9394f63d13f1905661&start=464&end=464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308623-8dfad40b25b6de9394f63d13f1905661/thumbnail_464000.jpg","/articles/6056851/Carter-County/Montana/School-officials-ask-Carter-County-for-one-time-payment-to-reach-STARS-Act-starting-teacher-salary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6056851-f0bee4e77cf1387d06d97a30843bbb9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181931&Signature=P8xTollCQwYQenjd30hG--tFG~NnYxzLxVtqNuDi2-wqRnpO7hj~LSl~~j~Hj~qEkrml0HKBRrg9gmd35VStZ9XEbPWga6rZ0axb26nRHqZL3IDukX0dW2uCiCaqEWZjHA7zYSUzNYK2HL2ZR3ckGIsS2Mj6ZNSjUQ7jiKWG8YOlFsSxi87xkeu3JL~XQQ-46aH1dIT1~IghJDPHuwhGk45CfGc-0JfnMsxYdLkpEvRzkief5LE34I~fK7467mGtvPu5Cn~kAjGX1Uw8THqGbygVmb3Fok4RYwkmf~CSk4-vCF7YFhVzr6YW1E3dyQ~VPVWEUCStz1bmdiUnJdQDpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School officials asked Carter County commissioners on Monday for a one-time payment to help the district meet a new state minimum starting-teacher salary created by the STARS Act.

The presenter, identified in the meeting as a school official, said the STARS Act is a “quality educator payment” that will provide the district roughly $7,000 per certified staff member but that the law requires districts to raise beginning teacher pay to a state minimum before the STARS dollars can be applied. The presenter said the district must get beginning pay to $41,615 and that the total one‑time amount needed to reach that baseline is “$89,002” (as discussed in the meeting).

Commissioners did not take a formal vote on the request during the session; they asked for more information and said staff would discuss options. The school official said the requested county assistance would be a one-time startup payment so the district can use the recurring STARS funds to sustain the new salary floor going forward. The presenter added that classified employees (custodians, cooks, bus drivers and other noncertified staff) did not receive raises last year and that classified pay ranges in the district typically start between $16 and $20 per hour, with cap rates reached by long-tenured staff.

The presenter said the district had already negotiated an increase to its salary matrix so that staff not yet at the required minimum would be set at the new $41,615 starting point. The STARS payments, the presenter said, apply only to certified staff and to a small number of central office positions; they do not cover classified staff, which is why the district is asking for county help to bridge the startup gap.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the requested amount and the district’s internal budgeting and granted the presenters time to supply additional documentation. No formal appropriation or commitment was made at the meeting; commissioners said they would review the numbers and follow up.

The request came after the school district reported that a bond election had passed and that the district would begin work with an energy‑efficiency and construction partner in June and expect construction procurement to start in September.

Background: The STARS Act, referenced repeatedly in the presentation, is a state law that provides per‑teacher quality payments and ties a district’s eligibility to a statutory minimum beginning salary. The presenter said the district expects the STARS funding to start flowing on a one‑year lag (state funds generally follow with an annual reconciliation).","School leaders told the Carter County commissioners the district needs a one-time county contribution (about $89,002) to raise beginning teacher pay to the $41,615 level required by the new STARS Act and make state quality-educator funds usable for budget planning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County awards airport pavement contract to CR Contracting (Bend, Oregon)

County weighs abatement and demolition approach for old hospital; engineering oversight recommended

Commissioners, engineers begin planning heated shop in Boyes using LATC grant funds

Carter County awards two Kenworth trucks; commissioners send loader bids for further review

School officials ask Carter County for one-time payment to reach STARS Act starting-teacher salary