Board declines purchase of county snowplow offered to airport

Broadwater County board members discussed whether the Townsend Airport should purchase a county snowplow that had been offered to the airport for $3,500. After questions about who would carry maintenance responsibility if the airport were the primary user and noting that the unit might sit unused for many months, the board indicated it would not purchase the plow and would maintain the status quo: the county will continue to provide plowing for the airport subject to other priorities.

Meeting participants expressed concerns that, if the airport became the primary user, the airport would bear maintenance and repair responsibilities for a machine that might be idle for much of the year. The discussion noted that the snowplow had been moved to the Pays Auction Yard and that, if the airport did not purchase it, the plow would likely go to surplus. One board member said the airport could purchase the plow later if it chose to do so.

No formal motion to buy the snowplow was made; the board reached the reported outcome by discussion and indicated no change to current practice. Staff and rodeo organizers were asked to continue coordination with the project coordinator and with Lance (project lead) when appropriate.

Sources: discussion recorded in the meeting transcript about a $3,500 snowplow offer, maintenance liability concerns and the plow being moved to auction/surplus.