Custer County commissioners approve generator site permission, daylight drain and event permit; discuss van transfer, chipper repair and road maintenance

The Custer County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved multiple permits and administrative actions and held extended discussions on county equipment and subdivision roads.

The board voted to allow Webb Mountain (Mountain Valley) Fire Protection District to begin construction of a FEMA‑funded backup generator and related infrastructure on county land, with the requirement that a documented easement and legal description be completed between the district and county. "We were awarded a grant, got attached through the state, and it went to FEMA and then got approved for a backup generator that will run our whole station here, our main station in town," said Jeremiah, representing the fire district. Commissioners said they would permit the district to proceed while staff work on the easement and survey. The motion passed unanimously.

The board also approved a property owner’s request to allow two floor drains in a greenhouse/foyer to "daylight" — discharge to an open pasture rather than to the septic system — at 2260 County Road 150. James Perry, the property owner, told commissioners that the State Plumbing Board allows daylighting if the county provides written approval and that the drains would carry only water, dirt and animal residue. "We're seeking written approval in order to allow 2 floor drains to discharge into the pasture," Perry said. The commissioners voted to approve the specific plan as presented and noted that county regulations and on‑site wastewater rules do not currently address this configuration; staff will consider a countywide regulatory update.

The Rotary Club of Wet Mountain Valley received a special‑events permit to serve alcohol at the Rockin' the Ranch fundraiser on Aug. 2 at Beckwith Ranch. The club said proceeds will support a local van service; the presenter described past distributions to local scholarships and international projects and said the club plans bookkeeping controls and TIP‑certified servers. The permit was approved unanimously.

The board approved returning a donated 1997 Ford E‑150 handicap van to the original donor. Anne Barker, representing the donor family, said the county originally accepted the vehicle with the understanding it would be returned if the county ceased using it. County health staff reported the van needed costly repairs to the lift and that the county had not issued a tax‑receipt at the time of donation; commissioners voted to transfer the title back to the donor to remove the vehicle from county insurance and inventory.

Commissioners also heard a staff presentation about the county’s useful public service (UPS) program, which is currently administered by a part‑time county employee, Christine Wilson. County staff said the program collects roughly $2,000 a year in fees while the county pays about $9,000 annually in wages and overhead for the position. Bob (county resources staff) reported other counties in the 11th Judicial District contract with a private provider (Intervention Inc.) to administer UPS and said he would meet the company to evaluate contracting out the service. No contract decision was made; staff expect to return with cost and service comparisons before Christine Wilson’s planned departure on July 31.

Road and equipment matters drew substantial discussion. Road supervisor Vince described problems with the county’s chip spreader (chipper) and provided repair and shipping estimates: hauling to a specialist in Idaho could cost about $3,900 one way; a partial rebuild estimate without inspection was roughly $40,000–$45,000; a full factory‑level rebuild was quoted in the $270,000–$300,000 range. Commissioners directed staff to obtain firm, written quotes and to place the refurbishment/repurchase question on the July 23 or July 30 agenda so budgeting and timing can be resolved before scheduled chip‑seal operations.

Residents of Mountain Springs Country Estates asked commissioners to clarify whether two subdivision roads — Deer Springs Circle and Milltop/Mountain Estates — are county roads and whether the county will assume routine maintenance. Terry Stegs presented a recorded 1984 dedication plat that, he said, granted easements and streets "unto the County of Custer." Commissioners asked road staff to inspect the roads, locate property pins and utilities, and report back; they noted any acceptance into county maintenance would require bringing roads up to county standards and budgeting for work in future fiscal planning.

What the board decided - Approved (unanimous) permission for Webb Mountain Fire Protection District to begin building a FEMA‑funded backup generator on county land and directed staff to work out a documented easement and any needed permits and surveys. - Approved (unanimous) James Perry’s daylight drain (two floor drains discharging to pasture) at 2260 County Road 150 as presented; staff to draft written approval and consider countywide code updates. - Approved (unanimous) Rotary Club of Wet Mountain Valley special events permit for Rockin' the Ranch (Aug. 2 at Beckwith Ranch) with TIP‑certified servers and fenced premises. - Approved (unanimous) transfer of the 1997 Ford E‑150 handicap van back to the original donor.

Matters to return for follow‑up - Staff to obtain written quotes from the Idaho chipper specialist and a detailed cost estimate before the board decides whether to repurchase/ship the county’s old chip spreader for rebuilding. Commissioners asked staff to aim to place the decision on the July 23 or July 30 agenda to meet chip‑seal scheduling needs. - Staff to meet with Intervention Inc. and produce a cost/compliance comparison for outsourcing the Useful Public Service program; report to return to the board before July 31. - Road supervisor to inspect Deer Springs Circle and Milltop roads, confirm property pins, culvert locations and utility placements, and provide a scope/cost estimate to bring roads to county standards for potential acceptance into county maintenance.

Quotes "We were awarded a grant ... it went to FEMA and then got approved for a backup generator that will run our whole station here, our main station in town," Jeremiah said about the Mountain Valley Fire Protection District project.

"We're seeking written approval in order to allow 2 floor drains to discharge into the pasture," James Perry told the board about his greenhouse/foyer drains.

Ending Commissioners said they will publish formal easement documentation and regulatory updates as staff provide survey data and written estimates. Several items — generator easement language, chipper refurbishment quotes and the potential contract for useful public service administration — are expected back on the board’s agenda later in July for formal decisions.