Commissioners discuss using remaining LATC funds for Boyse storage building, elevator modernization or hospital remediation

EKALAKA, Mont. — Carter County commissioners on April 21 discussed options for using remaining Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency (LATC) funds, including constructing a storage building in the county’s south end, modernizing the courthouse elevator and covering rising estimates for environmental work at the old hospital site.

Pam Casselberry, chairing the discussion, said the balance available for LATC-type projects is “about a hundred and $80,000,” a figure she attributed to prior conversations and budget reviews. Commissioners, staff and meeting attendees considered whether the amount — which must be expended by the federal deadline — could cover any of the candidate projects.

Options discussed - Boyse storage/garage: Commissioners discussed building a heated storage building in the Boyse area to house a blade and plow and possibly provide an additional bay that could be used by volunteer fire personnel. County officials estimated a heated storage building might cost in the $150,000–$200,000 range and noted site-power access is nearby, potentially limiting site-work costs. County staff suggested slightly larger buildings to allow flexibility for future equipment. - Courthouse elevator modernization: Meeting participants said the courthouse elevator has failed and that repair parts (a control board/rectifier) appear to be obsolete or on special order. Attendees reported contractor responses varied and that modernization estimates previously cited ranged from roughly $140,000 up to about $175,000; the county’s clerk and others had been attempting to track parts and get clearer timelines from elevator service vendors. - Environmental remediation and demolition of the old hospital: County staff reported updated environmental assessment work that indicated remediation costs have risen by about $130,000 compared with earlier estimates, raising questions about whether LATC funds should be applied there.

Constraints and next steps Commissioners and staff noted the federal funding timeline — and counsel advised that expenditure by the deadline is the safest approach given the rules; one staff member said the funds had been accelerated by a year and therefore should be spent before year-end if possible. Commissioners asked for more precise cost estimates and advised staff to solicit bids or updated quotes to determine whether a project could be procured and completed within the available funds and timeframe. Commissioners also discussed the administrative and access issues around co-locating county road equipment and volunteer fire apparatus under separate secured entrances.

Ending No final decision was made at the April 21 meeting. Commissioners said they would seek clearer, written cost estimates and guidance before committing the LATC balance to any particular project; they also said they would seek additional input from absent board members before authorizing a specific expenditure.