Facilities director urges investment in parking lots, storage and sewer fixes at county buildings

Dan Kendall, Bennett County facilities director, presented an inventory of maintenance and capital priorities and told commissioners the list exceeds what the county can complete in a single year.

Kendall asked the commission to consider contracting for snow removal on the new YDC parking lot and to install a replacement plow on a newly acquired maintenance truck. He said an older six‑wheeler is experiencing repeated winter transmission problems and proposed acquisition or repair and recommended adding an enclosure to protect staff and equipment.

Kendall identified the courthouse parking lot as deteriorating and recommended removing and replacing the lot rather than continued piecemeal repairs. He proposed storage solutions to avoid using the Lander Building and the Sally Port as ad hoc storage and suggested locating equipment in an enclosed shed (options include the village side parking lot). He also flagged chip‑seal or sealcoat maintenance for multiple county lots and noted the annex/Ag Extension sewer lines have recurring problems; he recommended prioritizing sewer fixes before pavement work.

Kendall described removing a wall in the clerk’s area as a larger project than initially anticipated and listed HVAC installation for two annex rooms to convert storage space into usable offices. He said the new road near the YDC may require snow hauling in heavy winters because on‑site pile locations are limited.

Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about plow vendors and timing; Kendall said Road & Bridge recommended a Riverside plow and that vendor pricing appeared favorable. No formal action was taken; commissioners will prioritize projects as part of the broader capital budgeting process.