Commissioners authorize public works chief to sign equipment contracts; consent agenda approved

Missoula County commissioners voted to approve the consent agenda and gave the county's chief public works officer limited authority to sign certain equipment purchase contracts included in the adopted fiscal year 2025 budget.

County staff said the authorization covers small agreements tied to equipment purchases already approved in the county's capital improvement plan and does not add budget authority. The measure was described as a temporary, time-limited delegation to let staff close deals that arise from public auction processes while commissioners are traveling.

Shane Stackhart, chief public works officer, told the board that some purchases come through public auctions with tight turnaround times. He said allowing him to sign specified contracts through the end of the fiscal year will ensure the county does not lose favorable auction outcomes. He also said contracts will continue to undergo legal and risk review.

A commissioner moved to authorize the chief public works officer as stated; another commissioner seconded the motion. The board voted in favor and the motion was approved.

The meeting record notes that one consent agenda item, a contract with Spectrum Communications for Ken Marshall, was postponed to the Feb. 20 meeting because the contract was not ready.

The authorization applies only to agreements for equipment already included in the FY25 budget and CIP, and staff said the delegation will expire at the end of the annual budget period. The board did not expand budget authority or change the capital improvement plan at this meeting.

Items related to these purchases were described during the consent agenda discussion and the formal authorization on the action agenda.