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Big Horn County commissioners approve month-to-month courthouse lease for Cemetery District No. 1
Summary
On Oct. 9, 2025, the Big Horn County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a month-to-month lease allowing Cemetery District No. 1 to use Room 309 of the county courthouse for storage, with no rent per the district's bylaws and a 30‑day termination provision.
On Oct. 9, 2025, the Big Horn County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a month-to-month lease allowing Cemetery District No. 1 to use Room 309 of the Big Horn County Courthouse to store district items. Heather Ready, deputy county attorney, presented the agreement and the board approved the motion after a second by Commissioner Lawrence Big Hair.
The lease, effective Oct. 1, 2025, specifies automatic monthly renewal unless either party gives 30 days' written notice. It states that the Cemetery District will not pay rent because the district's bylaws historically require the district to maintain its principal office in the courthouse building. The document describes the leased premises as Room 309 and grants the district ingress and egress and use of related parking and driveway access.
The agreement requires the district to accept the space "as-is, where-is," to avoid unlawful uses of the premises and to promptly provide the county a copy of any regulatory notices it receives. It includes an indemnity clause placing responsibility on the Cemetery District for injury or property damage arising from its occupancy, except where damage is caused by county negligence. The county may inspect or enter the premises at reasonable hours and, with 24 hours' notice, may access the space for repairs; emergency access by the county is allowed without prior notice.
The lease also addresses casualty: if the premises are rendered unfit by fire or other damage, the lease becomes null and void and the district must surrender the space. The agreement contains standard clauses on notices, governing law (laws of the State of Montana), attorney fees for prevailing parties in disputes, and submission to the jurisdiction of the Montana Twenty-Second Judicial District, Big Horn County.
The motion to approve the lease was recorded as moved by Commissioner George Real Bird III and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence Big Hair; the board passed the motion unanimously. The document and signatures appear in the meeting record.
