Colstrip trustees review bond project list after consultant flags $4.5 million sports‑complex estimate

Board members reviewed maintenance and capital-project priorities and discussed next steps for possible bond funding after district consultants provided preliminary project-cost estimates.

Work‑session discussion focused on a consultant’s initial numbers: a high‑school restroom renovation budgeted about $650,000 and a sports‑complex renovation estimated at roughly $4,500,000. Trustees said the sports-complex estimate was lower than earlier expectations and asked staff to follow up with consultant 'Tyler' for clarification and detailed quotes.

Trustees also reviewed the district’s maintenance list, prioritized replacement of several interior doors (board members suggested starting with five priority doors given per‑door estimates of roughly $1,100–$1,300 excluding shipping), and discussed potential safety-grant funding to offset costs. Staff noted some capital-list items would need to be separated by project for bond descriptions and that bond proceeds must include per-project amounts and priorities when public notice is given.

Why it matters: Large capital projects, if placed on a bond ballot, require clear project descriptions and estimated costs; preliminary estimates guide whether to proceed to public notice and voter consideration. Trustees directed staff to gather clarified quotes, consider design timelines, and, if appropriate, schedule bond‑related outreach and a public presentation with the bond program representative.

Next steps: Staff to obtain clarified quotes from the consultant, refine the bond project list and descriptions for public notice, and coordinate a presentation (virtual or inperson) with the bond representative for a future board meeting.