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Carter County asks state for school-bus signs and plans message board after grant award
Summary
DES/school representatives told commissioners they were seeing vehicles pass stopped school buses on Highway 323 and requested a county letter to MDT to install six 'school bus stop ahead' signs; the board agreed to sign the letter. Officials also said a $63,000 Homeland Security grant will buy a permanent message board (and mobile board options were discussed).
County emergency and school officials urged commissioners to ask the Montana Department of Transportation for 'school bus stop ahead' signs on Highway 323 and described grant-funded messaging options to improve visibility.
Branson Rogers presented the request and described repeated incidents where drivers passed stopped school buses. "I was awarded $63,000 for this," Branson said, describing a proposal for a 4-by-8 permanent message board by the school corner and mobile signage the county could use for special events or road closures. He said the mobile unit runs about $13,000 and the permanent board vendor estimate for similar installations was about $40,004.
Officials requested a county-signed letter to MDT urging installation of six signs (three in each direction) at priority stops (Bell Tower, Persian Cutoff and Prairie Dale). Commissioners instructed staff to prepare and sign the letter; a motion to sign the letter was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Branson and staff also discussed grant timing and matching requirements: the Homeland Security award requires completion by September (before the grant fiscal year) and the county must provide a local match if necessary; an unrelated AMPG award that the presenter normally receives was reduced this year to $12,490, which may affect planning for emergency messaging equipment.
The board asked staff to prepare a formal letter to MDT in the requested format, include sign-quantity and locations, and route it for signatures.
Next steps: staff will draft the MDT letter and circulate it for signatures; staff will also continue coordinating installation logistics, power sourcing and environmental review for the permanent sign once grant paperwork is finalized.
