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Big Horn County approves Caterpillar backhoe, funds elevator and fire-suppression work
Summary
The Big Horn County Commission on Feb. 4 approved purchase of a Caterpillar backhoe, reallocating funds previously budgeted for truck lifts and planning to auction the existing machine; it also approved elevator maintenance and a five-year fire-suppression inspection for county facilities.
The Big Horn County Commission approved the purchase of a Caterpillar backhoe and authorized several facilities maintenance expenditures at its Feb. 4, 2025 regular meeting in Basin.
Road and Bridge representative Mann presented three quotes for a replacement backhoe and said he had compared the machines; he reported trade-in values for the current unit were running about $18,000–$20,000 and suggested taking the existing machine to auction rather than accepting a trade-in. Commissioner Bruce Jolley moved to approve the Caterpillar quote; the motion was seconded and carried.
Commissioners said funds previously budgeted for truck lifts will be reallocated to cover the purchase and that proceeds from sale or auction of the current machine will be used to make up the difference.
Facilities Manager Jeremy Pouska presented several facilities items. The commission authorized purchase of flags matching the county seal and asked Pouska to proceed with procurement. Pouska also presented a quote of $8,400 for overdue elevator maintenance; by consensus the commission approved payment from a previously allocated special projects line. A five-year fire-suppression system maintenance and inspection for the multipurpose building was quoted at $3,185; the commission approved that expenditure, with an acknowledgment the maintenance budget may need augmentation later in the year.
Pouska provided a rough electrical estimate for a previously discussed pig-barn concept; commissioners asked staff to obtain final quotes once project plans are available.
Deputy County Attorney Jennifer Kirk was directed to draft correspondence related to county matters including the airport fuel tank and a resolution to adopt a county seal.
The commission took no formal vote on the pig-barn concept at this meeting; Pouska was instructed to return with revised, final quotes when plans are ready.
Ending: The commission adjourned after completing the agenda; follow-up actions include final procurement paperwork for the backhoe, staff gathering final project quotes, and Kirk drafting required correspondence and the proposed county-seal resolution.
