Commission approves boat-slip lease contingent on BOR, $143,613.75 crisis grant, $30,000 for airport fuel repairs and routine claims

Broadwater County commissioners on March 12 approved a series of routine and time-sensitive items, including a county agreement for lease of boat slips at Canyon Ferry, a three-year crisis-diversion task order for public health, and an emergency airport fuel-system purchase.

The actions were taken by voice vote during the meeting in Townsend. County staff said the boat-slip lease is contingent on the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) signing its corresponding agreement with Canyon Ferry Enterprises.

The public health director, Ruby Taylor, asked the commission to approve a state task order that will fund a part-time crisis coordinator and community training for crisis intervention. Taylor said the task order covers three years and that the county has already been approved to receive the funds; the task order must be signed so the state can pay the county. She described reporting as quarterly invoicing tied to the coordinator’s 0.5 full-time-equivalent and any training expenses.

The airport board reported an urgent failure of the Townsend Airport fuel system. The board solicited two bids and recommended purchasing QTPOD equipment. Commissioners authorized up to $30,000 from airport funds to purchase the equipment and cover likely add-ons; the equipment itself was quoted at $24,232.06, and another vendor’s bid was about $34,000.

Commissioners also approved routine business: minutes from prior meetings and several claims and payroll batches. The claims approved included $12,116.03 and $21,548.39; payroll batches totaling $278,584.02 and $274,962.39; and a final claims batch of $50,000. All motions were approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- County agreement with Canyon Ferry Enterprises (boat slips): Motion approved; outcome contingent on BOR signing its agreement with Canyon Ferry Enterprises. Motion mover/second not specified in the record; approved by voice vote.

- Crisis diversion grant task order (HHSD-BHDD-0114AP-B25-101-74033-0): Motion approved; task order total $143,613.75 over three years; includes up to $20,000 for training and funds to support a 0.5 FTE crisis coordinator. Reporting: quarterly invoices. Mover/second not specified; approved by voice vote.

- Townsend Airport fuel system purchase (QTPOD equipment): Motion approved to authorize up to $30,000 from airport funds to purchase and install QTPOD equipment (equipment quoted at $24,232.06; alternate vendor quote ~$34,000). Mover/second not specified; approved by voice vote.

- Minutes: Motion approved to adopt minutes for Feb. 5, Feb. 19 and March 5. Mover/second not specified; approved by voice vote.

- Claims and payroll: Motions approved to pay claims and payroll in the amounts presented: $12,116.03; $21,548.39; payroll $278,584.02; payroll $274,962.39; claims $50,000. Individual movers/seconders not specified; approved by voice vote.

Why it matters

The lease for the Canyon Ferry boat slips affects county revenue flowing to the county trust board and the operator’s ability to accept reservations; county staff said the county receives a percentage of dock fees. The crisis-diversion task order brings state funding to Broadwater County for a part-time coordinator and community training on crisis response, which county staff say will strengthen local capacity for mental-health emergencies. The airport authorization addresses an immediate operational problem at Townsend Airport and aims to restore fuel service used by visiting pilots and local aviation activity.

What commissioners said

Ruby Taylor, Broadwater County Public Health, described the task order’s structure and reporting requirement: “The reporting requirements are a quarterly invoice. Crisis coordinator at a 0.5 FTE… and then whatever training we have put on or have sponsored through this grant, then I would report that back in the invoicing.”

Airport and budget staff highlighted that the airport board sought competitive quotes and recommended the lower-cost QTPOD option while keeping a contingency for installation add-ons.

Implementation and next steps

- The county agreement with Canyon Ferry Enterprises will be signed and delivered to the operator after BOR completes its approval and signature.

- The public health task order will be signed so state payments can begin; invoices are to be submitted quarterly.

- The airport board will issue the deposit to the selected vendor and proceed with installation; commissioners authorized up to $30,000 to cover equipment and anticipated add-ons.

- Claims and payroll disbursements will be processed according to the approved motions.

Meeting provenance

The first related discussion in the transcript about the Canyon Ferry lease begins at the item introduction for the county agreement with Canyon Ferry Enterprises; the public-health task order discussion begins with Ruby Taylor’s presentation; the airport item begins with the airport board’s special meeting report and vendor quotes. The motions and voice votes appear in succession during the March 12 meeting.