Ravalli County commissioners on May 29 approved award documents and grant agreements for a multimillion-dollar airport apron and helipad project, and authorized a nonprimary-entitlement transfer to repay another county so work can proceed.

The approvals permit county staff to accept Millennium Construction as the apparent low bidder and to sign phase 1 and phase 2 federal and non‑federal grant agreements and the non‑primary entitlement transfer that repays Liberty County for an interim loan.

The project manager, Lance (county airport consultant), told the board the low bid came in well below the engineer's estimate and that Millennium submitted past‑performance documentation and preaward materials reviewed by county staff. He said the full project cost is about $2.67 million, that FAA funds could cover up to 95% in an ideal case, and that current grant availability leaves a local shortfall (including state and US Forest Service contributions) that would leave the county responsible for roughly $600,000 if the project is awarded and executed.

Lance described the funding mix presented to the board: FAA primary federal grant eligibility (but limited available federal apportionment), Montana Aeronautics grants that cover the 5% local share on a portion of eligible work, an additional Montana Aeronautics allocation toward the FAA shortfall, and contributions from the U.S. Forest Service for facility items the Forest Service will pay directly. He also explained a plan to preserve funding for pavement maintenance next year by staging grant use and transfers.

Commissioner Burrows moved to approve the award documents, the phase 1 and phase 2 grant agreements (federal and non‑federal), and the nonprimary entitlement transfer; the chair seconded. The board recorded the motion as carried.

Lance asked county staff to forward signed signature sheets and coordinating documents to the FAA and to Montana Aeronautics so FAA concurrence and state grant execution can follow. He told the board FAA year‑end apportionments might add a small additional federal amount but that the county could not delay executing the contracts until that uncertain leftover funding was known.

The county’s action authorizes finalizing the construction award and accepting the grants as described; staff will complete FAA concurrence and finalize execution of the agreements before issuing a notice of award to the contractor.

Ending — County staff and the airport consultant said they will assemble signature pages and finalize grant paperwork with the county attorney and then notify the FAA and Montana Aeronautics so construction can begin this fall or next spring, depending on scheduling and contractor availability.