Yellowstone County commissioners opened six bids July 29 for the Metropark Sixth Avenue sign and voted to refer the proposals to county staff for a recommendation. The board took no award decision at the meeting and asked staff to report back.

The bid opening, announced at the start of the 9 a.m. meeting, included offers from Sign Products Incorporated, Complete Signs, Billing Sign Service, Yesco, Epcon Sign Group and a separate Billings sign entrant. Recorded amounts and bid-bond status in the public bid opening were: Sign Products Incorporated — $229,564 (no bid bond observed); Complete Signs — $206,110 (bid bond present); Billing Sign Service — $228,300 (bid bond present); Yesco — $259,251 (bid bond present); Epcon Sign Group — $210,000 (bid bond present); Billings sign (separate entry) — $223,006.65 (no bid bond observed). The transcript does not identify prior procurement specifications, bidder qualifications, or contract terms.

Commissioner (name not specified) moved to refer the bids to staff for a recommendation back to the board; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board did not take further public action on award or contract authorization at the meeting.

Staff will return with recommendations and any staff-level evaluation; the transcript records no timeline for that follow-up and no public comment on the item.