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Libby council OKs $9,892 in overrun funds for Kootenai Heritage Council after boiler repairs
Summary
The council approved a $9,892.48 release from community development funds to cover overrun costs after boiler repairs at the Kootenai Heritage Council facility; councilors acknowledged a prior $20,000 award and expressed concern about additional requests.
The Libby City Council voted to release $9,892.48 in community development funds to the Kootenai Heritage Council to cover cost overruns tied to recent boiler repairs at the heritage facility.
Gary Huntsberger, introduced himself as the council’s president and described a long history of volunteer maintenance and recent repair needs. He said the group had secured prior grants, had to bring specialized contractors from out of town and incurred overtime and parts costs. "We had over 50 events last year," Huntsberger said, explaining the facility’s heavy community use and volunteer operations. Jim Mann added cost details and identified the requested overrun amount as $9,892.48.
Context and council reaction: Council discussion noted that the group had previously received $20,000 for the same project months earlier, prompting one councilor to express concern about granting additional funds so soon after a prior allocation. Councilor Zimmerman commented on the age of local systems and the inevitability of unforeseen repairs, but supported helping the facility "to keep things going for the community." After questions and a motion, the council approved the release.
Why it matters: The Kootenai Heritage Council operates a community facility leased from the school district and hosts performances, meetings and rentals. The funding covers specific overruns after major mechanical work that the council heard had restored the boiler and control systems.
What the funding covers and next steps: The approved amount was described as covering the controls connection to the burner, replacement of a fuel pump and related final work. Staff will disburse the funds in accordance with community development procedures and record the payment in city financials.
Direct quote: Huntsberger said, "We're 100% volunteers, and everything we do is for the community." The project request was described in the meeting materials as $9,892.48 in overruns following the completed repairs.
The motion carried and the council moved on to subsequent agenda items.
