[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",6550950,"mediaKeyId","5362584-d1cde3c3d043b7148c382329fe7ed6d9","parentId",5362584,"title","Council awards $186,613 contract for water-telemetry upgrade funded by ARPA; deadline and integration concerns noted","audioSeconds",642,"startMs",3406000,"endMs",4048000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362584-d1cde3c3d043b7148c382329fe7ed6d9&start=3406&end=4048","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362584-d1cde3c3d043b7148c382329fe7ed6d9/thumbnail_3406000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550950/Stevensville/Ravalli-County/Montana/Council-awards-186613-contract-for-water-telemetry-upgrade-funded-by-ARPA-deadline-and-integration-concerns-noted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550950-3a0fdecec94e49a11a7ba653bca17323/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166231&Signature=XeXcXGGgFQNtqE2stm~WX90rhNGSM70p9~XTMLUmjZllVmeOD1VIihhz3jAckxuX0TV1wlAsj-aK-49QjMx3r5IXSHiarwjGlrrXzN4eBbP59vz4vZxBnkDEDoRvKGI0zFcT3IgwQ-m6dRTxsh-C5T8Ga9yssUpK3NuH~WjqwnAdQQs~xWgzpGU3~aOD86bFl2QTyS6hX1IEEIFxVawIaKW-9bEsJKiTwpEOx1qw6vJ5ds8VDY5mVKLZ~2Tvrn9ApjqS9iv1Y8dyzcMM2c3b6NYB1-f91Ukl7rpTydEZ2pfjrbwMP5SfUrP511b~8dFwFmYI6RkrR0i0-2CrF~-qAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Stevensville, MT","date","2025-07-11T13:57:29Z","article","The Stevensville Town Council on July 9 approved awarding a contract for a water-system telemetry and SCADA upgrade after engineers recommended accepting a $186,613 bid.

Eli, an HDR Engineering representative, told the council that one bid — from Nealey Electric (as listed in the bid packet) — came in at $186,613, above the engineer’s estimate but from a contractor the town and HDR have worked with before. HDR recommended awarding the work to that bidder. Council discussion noted the project is funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and that the town must complete work under the grant by Dec. 31, 2025; if the funds are not spent for eligible work within the grant schedule the town could be obligated to return monies to the administering agency (DNRC was referenced).

Council members asked whether the new telemetry equipment would integrate with future wastewater upgrades and whether the town’s onsite computer would support the system; HDR and staff said the telemetry project includes a new water-system computer and is designed to integrate with future wastewater upgrades. Council approved the award by motion and the clerk recorded the motion as passed; the award recommendation letter and bid packet were attached to the meeting materials for public review.

Council directed staff to proceed with contract documents and to ensure project scheduling meets ARPA timelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","TOWN COUNCIL MEETING","oneSentenceSummary","The Stevensville council awarded a contract for the town’s water telemetry/SCADA replacement after receiving a single bid of $186,613; the project will use ARPA funds and staff said the town must complete ARPA-funded work by Dec. 31, 2025 or risk repayment to DNRC.","taxTitle","Stevensville, Ravalli County, Montana","taxId",65907,"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},6550955,"Council delays decision on IT services, cybersecurity coverage amid incomplete pricing",531,2835000,3366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362584-d1cde3c3d043b7148c382329fe7ed6d9&start=2835&end=3366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362584-d1cde3c3d043b7148c382329fe7ed6d9/thumbnail_2835000.jpg","/articles/6550955/Stevensville/Ravalli-County/Montana/Council-delays-decision-on-IT-services-cybersecurity-coverage-amid-incomplete-pricing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550955-8b53aa59199ba8043e16fe766044d9db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166231&Signature=neBWKfHWs2Hh65HfI1PXmFA-ULv95DgrbynoGujpHjnJfFFgKt3oSi3EZZb009oXYaBikNJGJdRyvgHexSLdqhhbm~gphStFGF2vqx6n-6yIxdCIFue3O1CNhg-hw3bzF3zuweevbgz-io60PqpMso3ehX5vCXDKIuH6DNKAxMHwbfVwTY0Kz-SVasdnYmlfNiwgR4AGSncH7zy9esgjFtto~tEeJJgA9FDKl1g1xTl0Llq7xNdge5RPYUgR2mrlf~FzOyIjA7Ejb0WF4JLGNDNvIX9aT5ZO8mjQXQ7t0AFEehoqlAsMOsSnZgtiV~p6f9eFS6eLtFUoIFo4d2znlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stevensville Town Council discussed an IT-services contract with First Call and a separate cybersecurity coverage item on July 9 and voted to table awarding the IT-services contract until staff can obtain final pricing.

Council member Parker moved to proceed with First Call contract approval for core services while holding cybersecurity pricing; the motion was seconded by Council member Brennan. Council members expressed concern that cybersecurity pricing ranged between $1,500 and $2,500 depending on final coverage, and that staff had not yet received the final numbers from the vendor or insurer.

Members of the public urged caution about committing town funds without complete cost information; one commenter said they would not approve a contract without final numbers. After discussion the council voted to table the awarding of the IT-services bid so the town can obtain the outstanding pricing details and clarify whether cybersecurity coverage will be a separate contract item.

Staff said they would follow up with the vendor and return with final figures at the next council meeting.","The council discussed a contract for IT services with First Call and a separate cybersecurity coverage option; councilors voted to table award of the IT-services bid pending final pricing and documentation.",{"_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},6550960,"Council adopts resolution establishing lighting-district taxes for FY2025–26",311,2245000,2556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362584-d1cde3c3d043b7148c382329fe7ed6d9&start=2245&end=2556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362584-d1cde3c3d043b7148c382329fe7ed6d9/thumbnail_2245000.jpg","/articles/6550960/Stevensville/Ravalli-County/Montana/Council-adopts-resolution-establishing-lighting-district-taxes-for-FY202526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550960-7710f2de3a23d3fb19f3a1b199bcff2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166231&Signature=kj1FPJr9q32O24wxFFcMhocoFxZ4wh~Z5MnLfXLcNyzqh54ugl-htdwAMP7KAHLHnmHe4WPEfoA2Bye71-DAuJkhMXhfyWhmqhA6I-7xeKZALDvQL83b6M54e9N-TMr2Us6V8oeYJBA-I4AcjMNgkAXcBxjgEFGu--K185ZBv9Qy31IgjkWDF0B4NqefARNtCyga--m3q~Rx4X6lRPPFA03kQo7m9PA56E0sWqwHWmAoXFBytD5IqGiYPStQAW~gu66HIju2jjvohTrNhAXxpsBaXQquU49gIV~VOFFzbwvCcwrxlCRkhKfR7~DX7G~cPpKDu4n7bs3jaIYBe3T7RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stevensville Town Council adopted Resolution No. 547a on July 9, establishing lighting-district taxes for the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Council member Parker moved to approve Resolution No. 547a, and Council member Smith seconded the motion. Council members voted in favor, and the motion passed with the council recording the outcome as 4 to 0.

Council discussion noted that some line items changed after late-arriving revenue checks were posted; staff explained the lighting-district amounts are derived from utility-billing assignments and that the line items correspond to subdivisions or development areas rather than a single physical map. A council member said it was the first time in the town’s recent history that lighting-district allocations required this kind of redistribution.

The resolution will be implemented in the upcoming fiscal cycle as the town’s approved lighting-district tax schedule.","The Stevensville Town Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 547a establishing lighting districts and tax amounts for the 2025–26 fiscal year; councilors said the figures reflected recent changes in received revenue checks and utility allocations.",{"_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},6550964,"Council approves biweekly claims; residents question street-sweeper purchase and specific claims",860,672000,1532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362584-d1cde3c3d043b7148c382329fe7ed6d9&start=672&end=1532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362584-d1cde3c3d043b7148c382329fe7ed6d9/thumbnail_672000.jpg","/articles/6550964/Stevensville/Ravalli-County/Montana/Council-approves-biweekly-claims-residents-question-street-sweeper-purchase-and-specific-claims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550964-3fc1e31f42f93422834cf58475094b8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166231&Signature=LB72CIdJd77lPNrFa0LhssE-e1f9Y607WtrNarmefi~BqqeHOAk4pdyBCvT3DiA64MdPL2bcLwZfYq7t3oMFiVHXjTqJzIaEBa28zhDwPjSu9cIgOTu6JWAUde-q0gAbQYP32QUMbna0X4l3DPGlv8YpK1iAXckxmtAROTvI3pZqWJxYtV1PR8mDxt3~hQpvLAvF1XsbdafyYPe1~UOXr0sTVVwdKrp2t5~Wp8rH1fuMJRaCA3hcFWtjZoA6BBWaCfE5qSrvbNZoPTVA0raRzPqNTvHk~oIG3StF5Xt9zwLBjwttaN8Tj4s4tOnx~SANwoBuJhQUxfi~40PnLLMmgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Stevensville Town Council approved its biweekly claims, covering claim numbers 19759 through 19788, and discussed several line items and a recent sealed-bid equipment purchase.

Council member Barker moved to approve claims 19759–19788; council voted to pass the motion (vote recorded as passing, council attendance and recorded ayes later in the meeting reflected unanimous approval for the claims batch). During the claims discussion, council and members of the public questioned charges including postal box fees, credit-card transactions for vehicle repairs, and rental charges for a trencher used for irrigation work at a town site.

Public commenters and council members focused on the street-sweeper purchase. Council members confirmed the council authorized a sealed bid with a maximum of $12,000; the winning sealed bid was for $12,000. Members and commenters noted the town had been the only bidder and discussed whether direct negotiation could have reduced the town’s net outlay. Another commenter recommended the town enact a resolution when spending significant funds and asked that sale and purchase procedures be clarified.

Council members also fielded questions about credit-card charges listed on the claims packet and asked staff for clarification and supporting bid documents for items such as the street sweeper purchase. No change to the approved claims was recorded on the meeting record.","The council approved biweekly claims numbers 19759–19788. Public and council members questioned individual line items, including a sealed-bid street-sweeper purchase that closed at $12,000 and credit-card and rental charges.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6550969,"Residents press Stevensville council for clearer agendas, FOIA responses and monthly financial reports",385,79000,464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5362584-d1cde3c3d043b7148c382329fe7ed6d9&start=79&end=464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5362584-d1cde3c3d043b7148c382329fe7ed6d9/thumbnail_79000.jpg","/articles/6550969/Stevensville/Ravalli-County/Montana/Residents-press-Stevensville-council-for-clearer-agendas-FOIA-responses-and-monthly-financial-reports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550969-b5bf2a685758ae74525026765ef2959b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166231&Signature=WYAQmzGw3sQPz2fEcIaK9ykqHkG~RbUvvLwm2~11BHyPA5t4QieUH2QhiaCoi7ZDoGEzi-LH2XybEGpzYuCeKi05AlRWJDFHkAzQTC6rfyAvDC04-5gxDwwiKSLiaqNdBQ7Q1osOjhJPQPO1WqsNiweiNVaqLcMRZ0Clo3etojgP23FKAsKxunb-WuTP3JNuivWkPvODWT6WgUQg-Dw2QzkteTMjc2B1~69UH1Laa4pl89nAAujPVEyre8kuV6nnTCeepiuCq3IX6wmLdmT9F61pAuuRo5YSOt8booj6J~oK97DWU-tNrA2-4CUa6x3BI5ehdW4VHC8i-9kKQKBChQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stevensville residents used public comment at the July 9 town council meeting to press for clearer agenda listings and faster responses to emailed information requests.

Sue Devlin, identified herself as a resident at 3056 Street and asked why “correspondence” and guest items are no longer listed on the agenda; she said the omission has caused confusion about whether letters or guest speakers will be read. Council responses explained that under council rules items with no business beneath them are omitted from printed agendas, but that the line item itself remains part of the meeting packet.

Jean McKinley, of 401 Charles Street, thanked council members for their service and asked whether the council could limit repetitive public-comment back-and-forth to shorten meeting length; a council member said the public retains the right to speak and suggested council rules could limit repeat appearances on the same topic.

Another commenter asked for regular publication of cash and bank reconciliation reports, budget-versus-actual statements for revenues and expenditures, trial balances and the general ledger. The speaker said she has asked for information previously and has sometimes labeled requests as FOIA requests when she received no reply.

A council member said staff would provide monthly financial reports on expenditures and revenues going forward. The public comments concluded after the council moved on to the approval of minutes.","Residents used public comment to ask the council why routine agenda items such as correspondence and guest listings no longer appear, to request regular published cash-reconciliation and budget reports, and to urge better tracking of emailed information and Freedom of Information Act requests.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council awards $186,613 contract for water-telemetry upgrade funded by ARPA; deadline and integration concerns noted

Council delays decision on IT services, cybersecurity coverage amid incomplete pricing

Council adopts resolution establishing lighting-district taxes for FY2025–26

Council approves biweekly claims; residents question street-sweeper purchase and specific claims

Residents press Stevensville council for clearer agendas, FOIA responses and monthly financial reports