Commission approves Bowman Field fuel‑farm change order and authorizes operator RFP

County commissioners approved a change order for installation work at Bowman Field and authorized a request for proposals to hire a private operator to run the airport’s new fuel farm.

County planner Carl told the commission the change order included three additional items discovered during installation — new conduit, relocation of an electrical panel to meet state code and additional tank supports — that increased costs by about $22,000. "With the eligible FAA funds, it will be just over $1,700 that will be the responsibility of Anaconda Deer Lodge County," Carl said.

Commissioners asked where the county’s $1,700 share would come from; Carl said the funds were available in the project accounting. A motion to approve the change order carried after the usual move‑and‑second procedure.

Carl also presented an RFP to identify a third‑party operator to run daily operations once the fuel farm is complete. He said the county plans to install the capital equipment but is seeking a private operator to handle day‑to‑day fueling operations, payment processing and routine inventory. "We're looking to see if there is an interested private party that would be willing to operate, for profit, the fuel tank that's being installed," Carl said. The commission voted to publish the RFP.

Staff said the operator would likely run unattended pumps with remote payment systems rather than staff the site 24/7; the county would retain capital responsibility while an operator would cover most operating supplies and routine small expenses. Commissioners signaled the county will return to the commission for contract approval if proposals are received and a deal is negotiated.

What happens next: staff will publish the RFP, evaluate proposals and bring a recommended contract back to the commission for approval.