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Montgomery County approves purchase of modular bunkhouse to allow 24-hour Elliston station coverage
Summary
Supervisors approved buying a turnkey modular bunkhouse for the Elliston Fire Department — a $330,000 purchase staff says can be delivered in 60–90 days and house 12 people — so the county can implement 24-hour coverage prior to full station renovation.
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors on May 27 approved purchasing a modular bunkhouse for the Elliston Fire Department to allow 24-hour career staffing that had been funded in the county’s budget. County staff recommended buying a factory-built, double-wide unit rather than leasing and told the board the purchase would let the county put career staff into service sooner while the station undergoes longer-term renovations.
“This would accommodate 12 people,” said Chris Lawrence, the staff presenter, describing a turnkey double-wide unit with two communal bathrooms, a kitchen, laundry and lounge. Lawrence said the purchase price is approximately $330,000, delivered and set on a prepared pad, and that delivery takes about 60–90 days after contracting; staff estimated the unit could be in place by mid- to late August with operations starting in early September.
Staff told the board it had evaluated lease versus buy options and found leasing only about $30,000 cheaper over the immediate term; buying gives the county an asset it can redeploy or resell later. Staff said the unit would be sited to preserve apparatus access to bays, avoid floodplain constraints, and use existing water, sewer and electric service at the selected driveway. The unit would be furnished by the vendor and general-services or fire staff would handle routine cleaning; custodial support is available if needs exceed in-house capacity.
Supervisors questioned siting details, driveway impacts and whether volunteers would be able to use the modular unit. Lawrence said volunteers could use the module if needed during renovation phases and that utilities would be connected in a way that would allow the driveway to be restored if the unit is later removed. Several supervisors supported buying the unit so it could be redeployed or sold later if the county’s needs change.
The board approved the purchase in the meeting’s new-business section by recorded roll call (see actions). Staff said the next steps are to execute a contract with the vendor, complete site work and coordinate hiring so staff can move in when the unit arrives.
No lease or purchase contract details were voted tonight beyond the authorization to proceed; staff will return with procurement documents and contract terms as part of the contracting process.
