Park County commissioners approve $194,000 maintenance truck, water-station transfer and staff promotion

Park County commissioners on Tuesday approved a set of routine measures including signing a contract for a new public works maintenance truck, a resolution of intent to transfer the county bulk water station to the City of Livingston, and a promotion and pay adjustment for a road employee.

Public works staff described a single bid of $194,000 for an F-600–style maintenance truck equipped with service boxes and a crane to lift large grader tires. The department recommended using FEMA alternate-project funds to buy the vehicle, saying that using those funds to acquire equipment can be more efficient than funding high-cost construction projects. “The way the federal government works ... if we do this or if we were to use alternate projects as, like, a project on the ground, then we have to meet all the federal guidelines for environmental, historic preservation, that sort of thing,” the Public Works Director said.

Resident Sabina Strauss Gardner questioned the county’s capacity to cover ongoing expenses. “Does the county afford the insurance and the maintenance for this truck?” she asked. The chair replied the county plans to remove a different work truck from county insurance, place insurance on the new vehicle, and expects a three- to four-year warranty to cover initial costs.

Commissioners discussed operational benefits, including a hydraulic-hose crimper and the truck’s ability to service graders in the field, reducing mileage and liability associated with older equipment. Commissioner Waltz moved to sign the contract; Commissioner Vermillion seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.

On the bulk water station, commissioners introduced and approved a resolution of intent to transfer the county’s bulk fill station to the City of Livingston after the city requested the asset be transferred and offered a new site that county staff said would increase public access and reduce wear on fairgrounds property. Staff noted the station was acquired with ARPA funds and therefore cannot be sold but can be transferred to another public entity. Morgan of Fair and Parks said relocating the station closer to the transfer station would allow 24/7 access for residents who rely on cisterns and would eliminate county meter and service fees. Sabina Strauss Gardner asked whether the station served RV campers; staff clarified the bulk fill source is separate from the fairgrounds’ city water used by campers. The motion to approve the resolution of intent passed on a voice vote.

The commission also approved a personnel action to promote a long‑time equipment operator, Derek, to district leadman with a $1.40‑per‑hour pay increase. Public works said Derek earned a Class A CDL, now oversees the Gardner district and fills a role the county has had difficulty recruiting. Commissioners discussed budget offsets and a plan to cover roughly $2,500 per year by reducing overtime and other line items; the promotion was approved on a voice vote with an effective date discussed for Oct. 29.

Airport staff presented several items the commission approved: a new lease for Spot 12 following the sale of a hangar by Yellowstone Air Service to Derek Springer, and a change form with Vector, a collections firm, to reduce its fee from 22% to 20% for landing‑fee collections effective Jan. 1, 2026. Commissioners approved both on voice votes.

Department updates included detention‑officer longevity adjustments that will apply to several positions retroactively to hire date, a pending patrol truck bid, road projects on Old Yellowstone Trail South moving to the bidding stage with FEMA approval, installation of concrete pads for bear deterrents at Chico and Clyde Park, and an upcoming two‑week trial that will require county resources and jury selection at the fairgrounds.

The commission approved minutes for Sept. 23 and Sept. 30, accepted consent items, heard commissioner comments about recent intergovernmental meetings and road planning, and adjourned.

The meeting record does not show roll‑call vote tallies by name; items were approved on unanimous voice votes as reflected in the transcript.