Pondera County commissioners approve lease for driver examiner, sheriff vehicle purchase and airport door repairs; bank authorization changes tabled

Pondera County commissioners on April 9, 2025 approved a five‑year lease charging the state $2,115 per year for space used by the driver's license examiner, approved purchase of a 2025 Ram 1500 for $44,539 for the sheriff's office, and authorized $3,180 in garage-door repairs at a county airport building; they also renewed participation in the Montana Board of Crime Control North Central Regional Grant and tabled proposed changes to bank authorizations.

The commissioners voted to begin a lease for 2025–2029 charging the state $2,115 annually (about $176.25 per month) for one day a week of office space used by the state's driver examiner. Commissioners clarified the lease covers office space only; internet and phone bills are billed separately. The commission approved the lease by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The board also considered a sheriff's office vehicle purchase. After reviewing bids from multiple dealers, commissioners approved a low bid from JC Billion for a 2025 Ram 1500 at $44,539. The discussion noted alternative bids from Courtesy Ford and others were roughly $50,000; commissioners said the lower price would cover required outfitting costs such as a roll cage, radios and cameras. The motion to accept the low bid carried on an oral vote with no roll call recorded.

County staff presented a request from the road department to repair three overhead doors at a county airport building on Verwer Road and add safety chains and a commercial opener where needed. The bid from KG Building LLC (Valere) was $3,180 for parts and labor; the commission approved the expenditure from the road department budget.

On grants, the commission renewed participation in the Montana Board of Crime Control North Central Regional Grant for fiscal year 2025–26. The regional allocation is listed as $130,209 for the group; county officials said Pondera County’s share was not broken out and estimated their county portion would be minimal (a speaker estimated “around $5” but said that figure was a guess). The money was described as funding juvenile detention at the facility in Great Falls referenced in the transcript. Commissioners moved and approved continuing with the regional arrangement.

The agenda item regarding bank-authorizations and related account signatory changes was discussed but not resolved. County legal counsel and the bank were reported to be negotiating wording; the commission tabled the matter for later follow-up.

The meeting concluded after routine business and a motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance • Montana Board of Crime Control North Central Regional Grant (renew participation): approved on voice vote; exact tally not specified. Key detail: regional allocation $130,209; Pondera County share not specified (speaker estimated a small amount). • State office lease for driver’s examiner (2025–2029): approved on voice vote; $2,115 per year ($176.25/month); internet/phone billed separately. • Sheriff vehicle purchase (2025 Ram 1500): approved on voice vote; vendor: JC Billion; price: $44,539; alternative bids approx. $50,000. • Airport overhead door repairs and safety chains (Verwer Road building): approved on voice vote; contractor: KG Building LLC; price: $3,180; funding from road department. • Bank-authorizations/accounts: tabled; county attorney and bank continuing negotiations.

Context and immediate next steps The decisions fund routine county operations: space-cost recovery for a state office, vehicle replacement for the sheriff's fleet, and maintenance of county infrastructure at the airport. The lease clarifies the county will bill only for office space; separate bills for internet and phone will continue. The bank-authorizations item remains open pending county attorney and bank revisions; the commission did not adopt the new authorizations at this meeting.