The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners approved a bid on June 10 to install a ten-zone irrigation system at the county fairgrounds arena and associated areas, contingent on a written contract.

The system bid will include 10 zones with about 10 heads per zone, 2,700 feet of mainline prepared for expansion, risers and a top-rate water cannon for the arena; the contractor will provide spring startup and first-year winterization and training.

Why it matters: County staff said automation would reduce labor and wear on hose and trucks used now to water the arena and horse pens, and that the payment would come from Fair Capital funding.

Cost and payment

The contractor, Allegiant Irrigation, proposed a $20,000 project cost; Allegiant offered a $10,000 sponsorship spread over five years (effectively $2,000 per year), which county staff described as reducing the immediate cash outlay; staff advised the net cash to the county would be about $10,000 after the sponsorship arrangement.

Board action and vote

A commissioner moved to approve the Allegiant bid contingent upon a contract; the motion was seconded and carried with recorded affirmative votes by the commissioners present. The contract will be finalized in writing before work begins.

Ending

Commissioners directed staff to draft the written contract following the bid approval and noted the project should proceed under Fair Capital funding once the contract is executed.