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Commissioners declare emergency to fast‑track hospital membrane roof repairs
Summary
Citing leaks that have produced interior water damage, the board invoked Montana emergency procurement rules to waive competitive bidding for membrane roof repairs at the Carter County Health Care facility and asked staff to obtain a clear scope from the contractor and insurer concurrence before work begins.
Carter County commissioners voted to declare an emergency and exempt competitive bidding for repairs to the membrane roof at Carter County Health Care after hearing that new leaks have led to interior water infiltration, including in an emergency‑room area and the laboratory.
The board relied on Montana code to apply the competitive‑bid exemption for urgent work. One commissioner moved that the county treat the membrane replacement as an emergency repair and waive competitive bidding; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Why it matters: County officials said inspectors could require immediate correction for public‑health reasons; commissioners said quick action is necessary to avoid closure of parts of the facility and to reduce further interior damage and disruption to health services.
Scope, warranties and insurance coordination: The board discussed contractor options and warranties. The county had a temporary repair performed earlier by a contractor working with the insurer, and commissioners asked staff to get a detailed scope of work and material specifications from the contractor and insurer to ensure the county receives work that meets code and the owner’s expectations.
Commissioners and outside counsel cautioned that emergency exemptions should be documented: staff were instructed to obtain written confirmation from the insurer about coverage for discovered additional damages, and to require a precise scope and specification in any direct solicitation so the county does not pay for defective or incomplete work.
Next steps: Staff will solicit a scope and price under the emergency process, confirm the insurer’s concurrence, and return contract documents for finalization. The board said it may also use direct solicitation procedures for other damaged county structures where separate insurance settlements apply.
Direct quote: One commissioner summarized the action: "My motion is that we waive the competitive bid process and treat this as an emergency repair."
