Broadwater County approves trust grants, updated bylaws and $685,796 in claims; declines tree-watering contract

The Broadwater County Commission on April 23 approved multiple trust-board grants, updated trust-board bylaws and county claims totaling $685,796.30, and decided not to pursue a proposed $6,320 contract for tree watering at county recreation sites.

The commission approved a Broadwater County Trust Board grant of $11,550 to the Broadwater County Lions Club to help purchase an auto-fry cooker that includes an Ansul automatic fire-suppression system. Trust-board member Kim Kondalick told commissioners the full suppression-equipped unit is quoted at $16,500; the Lions Club plans a 30% match of $4,950 and requested the remainder, $11,550, from trust funds.

The commission also approved a $30,000 STOKE grant request for the McCarthy Park courts in Townsend. Project proponents said the total project cost is estimated at about $45,000, with sponsor matching funds from STOKE including $10,000 cash plus roughly $3,000 in in-kind work and additional volunteer labor and materials to reduce costs; proponents said some painting and volunteer labor will be used to lower professional bids that reached much higher amounts.

Other approvals included updated Broadwater County Trust Board bylaws (minor edits, including new language clarifying advisory members’ roles and cleanup of the signature page) and a memorandum of understanding to serve as a pass-through for a $4,000 grant to the Big Elk Divide Restoration Committee (BEDRC); the BEDRC grant term was stated as running through March 30, 2026.

The commission approved multiple claim groups by voice vote. The board approved payroll claims totaling $293,165.47; a set of claims totaling $36,427.23; another claims batch for $42,884.54; and a final set of refund checks totaling $313,319.06. Taken together, those approvals total $685,796.30. Commissioners called for the customary voice votes; the transcript records chair calls for “aye” and the motions passing.

A proposed $6,320 contract with Landscaping Unlimited to water trees at the fairgrounds and Conners Field was discussed but determined to be unnecessary after staff and contractors said existing irrigation was supplying sufficient water. Commissioners and staff agreed that routine watering and any minor trimming would be handled in-house and that major trimming would be contracted separately if needed. No formal motion was recorded to approve the $6,320 contract; the group concluded the contract would not be needed.

Votes at a glance - Broadwater County Lions Club — Trust board grant, $11,550 — approved (voice vote). - McCarthy Park Tennis/Pickleball/Basketball court repairs (STOKE grant) — $30,000 — approved (voice vote). Total project estimate: ~$45,000; sponsor match/cash $10,000; in-kind sponsor match $3,000 (as reported). - Broadwater County Trust Board bylaws — updated bylaws approved (voice vote). Changes: clarification of advisory members’ role and signature-page edits. - BEDRC (Big Elk Divide Restoration Committee) — MOU pass-through for $4,000 grant (through March 30, 2026) — approved (voice vote). - Payroll claims — $293,165.47 — approved (voice vote). - Claims batch — $36,427.23 — approved (voice vote). - Claims batch — $42,884.54 — approved (voice vote). - Refunds and related claims — $313,319.06 — approved (voice vote). - Landscaping Unlimited contract for tree watering — $6,320 — not approved/contract determined not needed (discussion only; no motion recorded).

Why it matters: The trust-board grants support local community services and park infrastructure; the claims approvals authorize payouts and refunds that affect county finances. The decision not to contract for tree watering preserves trust board funding and relies on existing irrigation and in‑house maintenance.

Speakers (relevant to this article) - Chair (role stated as "Madam chair" in proceedings) — Broadwater County Commission (government) - Kim Kondalick — Broadwater County Trust Board member (government/trust board) - Liz Wishman — Big Sky Leadership (community volunteer/organizer) - Commissioner Swenson — Broadwater County Commission (government) - Commissioner Randolph — Broadwater County Commission (government) - "Terry" (first name only in transcript) — owner/operator of Landscaping Unlimited / contractor (business) - Clerk/Treasurer staff and other unnamed commissioners/staff who moved/seconded motions (transcript did not consistently give full names; motions were carried by voice vote)

Actions extracted (formal motions and outcomes) - motion: "approve the Broadwater County Lions Club grant for the amount $11,550 to upgrade the corn dog cooker"; mover: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: approved; notes: voice vote; chair called for aye and motion passed. - motion: "approve the STOKE grant application for the amount of $30,000 for the McCarthy Park Tennis Court Repair Project"; mover: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: approved; notes: voice vote. - motion: "approve updated bylaws of Broadwater County Trust Board"; mover: Commissioner Smithson (as recorded in discussion); second: not specified; outcome: approved; notes: updates limited to advisory member language and signature page. - motion: "approve MOU between MFCN forest management support and Bedrock (BEDRC) for $4,000"; mover: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: approved; notes: pass-through; grant term through March 30, 2026. - motion: "approve claims in the amount of $293,165.47 (payroll)"; mover: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: approved; notes: voice vote. - motion: "approve claims in the amount of $36,427.23"; mover: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: approved; notes: voice vote. - motion: "approve claims in the amount of $42,884.54"; mover: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: approved; notes: voice vote; corrected amount confirmed during roll call. - motion: "approve claims in the amount of $313,319.06 (refund checks)"; mover: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: approved; notes: voice vote.

Discussion vs. decision - The Lions Club and McCarthy Park grants produced formal votes and were approved. - The Landscaping Unlimited $6,320 proposal was discussed and judged unnecessary based on irrigation already in place; no contract motion was made.

Clarifying details - Lions suppression system: total quoted cost $16,500; Lions Club match 30% = $4,950; requested trust grant $11,550 (Kim Kondalick). - McCarthy Park: total project estimate stated as $45,000; STOKE cash sponsor match reported as $10,000; in-kind sponsor match listed as $3,000; significant volunteer labor and painting to reduce costs (Liz Wishman). - BEDRC grant: $4,000 pass-through; grant term through March 30, 2026. - Landscaping Unlimited contract: proposed amount $6,320; discussion concluded existing sprinkler irrigation at fairgrounds and Conners Field was adequate, so the contract was not pursued.

Proper names extracted [{"name":"Broadwater County","type":"other"},{"name":"Broadwater County Trust Board","type":"agency"},{"name":"Broadwater County Lions Club","type":"organization"},{"name":"McCarthy Park","type":"location"},{"name":"STOKE","type":"program"},{"name":"Big Elk Divide Restoration Committee","type":"organization","note":"BEDRC / 'Bedrock' in transcript"},{"name":"Landscaping Unlimited","type":"business"},{"name":"Townsend","type":"location"}]

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