Broadwater County Trust approves grant to Lions Club to meet Montana fire-code requirement for corn dog wagon

The Broadwater County Trust Board approved a grant to the Broadwater County Lions Club to help the nonprofit upgrade a corn dog wagon so it meets Montana State Fire Code requirements.

Don Hansen, representing the Lions Club, described the request. The club asked the Trust for funding to buy an "auto fry" unit with a self-contained Ansell-approved fire suppression system. The Lions estimated the total project cost at $16,500 and told trustees the club could provide about one-third of that cost. "The auto fry is approved with its self contained fire suppression system by Montana State Fire Code," Hansen said.

Trustees discussed options, including retrofitting the existing trailer with a vent and suppression system (two trustees said estimates for that approach were roughly $22,000–$25,000) and the portability and cost advantages of the auto-fry unit. Board members asked whether the Lions could raise additional funds; Hansen replied the club could cover roughly 30–33 percent of the cost immediately.

A motion to approve the grant request was made and seconded; the board voted "aye" and the motion carried. Trustee Kim Kondlec abstained from the vote because she is a Lions Club member. The meeting record shows the Trust previously paid a $47,689.30 public enhancement project disbursement for the fair and rodeo grounds earlier in the agenda.

Why it matters: The grant will allow a local nonprofit to continue concession operations at community events while meeting state fire-safety rules enforced by the Montana State Fire Marshal’s office. By approving the purchase, the Trust helped preserve a revenue stream the club uses for community grants and recreation programs.

The board did not specify a condition that the Trust receive invoices before payment in the meeting discussion; trustees discussed reimbursement questions generally but recorded only that the motion carried and the abstention.