County staff and engineers debate dam-report frequency after insurer requests 3-year reviews

County staff and the county engineer discussed a discrepancy between the frequency of engineer inspections the county performs for a local dam and what an insurance representative said the insurer prefers.

County engineering staff said Montana requires a certified professional engineer to file an inspection report every five years. During the meeting, staff noted that the county conducts an engineer report every five years while the insurer had indicated it prefers receiving such a report every three years. County staff said they will reach back to the insurance contact and to state officials to reconcile the difference and to obtain a list of on-site engineers for potential engagement.

County staff emphasized that routine maintenance items flagged in a recent report should be corrected as soon as possible; county engineering said they had no objection to completing maintenance corrections recommended in a maintenance inspection. Staff also clarified the distinction between staff maintenance/inspection reports (annual, local) and the engineered inspection report (state-required five-year certified engineer report).

Why it matters: the inspection frequency affects insurance coverage, county maintenance costs and potential timelines for contract work. The county intends to confirm whether the insurer's preference is a firm requirement or a negotiable underwriting preference.

Next steps: staff will contact the insurer and the state to (a) request the insurer's clarification in writing, (b) request a list of state-approved on-site engineers, and (c) report back to the commission at the next meeting.