Teton County commissioners voted to award a three-year contract to Teton Mountain Lights LLC to provide holiday lighting services for Town Square, at a total contract amount of $59,104 for fiscal years 2026 through 2028.

Parks and Recreation Superintendent Andy Erskine said the county historically has contracted this annual service and that Teton Mountain Lights has provided consistent service for several years. The county solicited bids and received two responses. A second, higher bid from Rogue Harbor LLC (from Du Bois) came in at roughly $265,500; Erskine told the board he believed the larger bid reflected a misunderstanding of the scope and that Teton Mountain Lights’ longstanding local experience produced a lower, more accurate bid.

Commissioners also discussed how costs for Town Square services are shared between the town of Jackson and the county. Administrator Jody Pond said future Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) negotiations are likely to formalize a by-jurisdiction split: each entity would pay for parks within its jurisdiction. Commissioner Carleman asked whether awarding a three-year contract now might lock the county into payments if a future JPA changes financial responsibilities; staff and county attorney’s office said contracts can be assigned to the town if the JPA later changes responsibility.

Action: Commissioner Carleman moved to award the bid and approve contract with Teton Mountain Lights LLC for Town Square Holiday Lighting Services in the amount of $59,104 for fiscal year 2026 through fiscal year 2028; Commissioner Gardner seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Ending: The county will execute the three-year contract; staff said LED lights in place should reduce maintenance and replacement calls and that multi-year contracting gives predictability for installation and upkeep.