County staff report procurement challenges, detention generator timing and facilities updates; commissioners approve forest-service agreements

Bannock County staff used the meeting to update the commission on several ongoing procurement and facilities matters, including a contested drug-testing bid for court-required tests, potential lead-time delays for a detention-center diesel generator, and routine facility maintenance. The board approved two forest-service agreements that will govern grooming operations in the local ranger district.

Drug-testing procurement: County procurement staff reported that two bids were received for drug-testing services used by county courts. EverHealth was the low bidder at $15 per test for a Bannock County site; staff discovered AverHealth has a separate arrangement that allows testing at an AverHealth site under a state contract for $12 per test. County staff said AverHealth was also allowing use of its Lander facility for state testing, which created a perception of unequal pricing for the county’s…