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Lewistown approves purchase of police patrol vehicle and new firehouse furnaces; upfits and budgets to follow
Summary
The commission authorized the purchase of a patrol vehicle from Bison Ford and approved replacement furnaces for the fire department bays, with upfitting and installation costs to be addressed separately.
The Lewistown City Commission approved two equipment purchases on Nov. 18: a patrol vehicle for the police department and four replacement furnaces for the fire-station bays.
City Manager Holly Phelps summarized a competitive solicitation for the police vehicle. The city received three quotes; two bids (from a Duval/Duvall Ford dealer) were late or did not meet specifications, leaving a responsive bid from Bison Ford. Staff moved to purchase a patrol vehicle from Bison Ford; the motion as placed on the record referenced a price of $50,862.72, while a readback later in the meeting recorded the amount as $50,863.72. Commissioners approved the purchase by roll call. Phelps and the police chief said the quoted price does not include upfitting (lights, radios and other equipment), which will be brought to the commission for later approval; staff said there is confidence the vehicle could be delivered in spring if ordered despite 2026-model availability timing.
On a separate procurement, the commission voted to remove from the table and approve replacing four bay furnaces for the fire department. Staff presented three bids: Central Montana Propane ($20,810 for four 250,000-BTU furnaces and two controllers), All Weather Tech ($26,950) and an older Universal Heating quote ($21,752) for a larger unit. The fire chief indicated 250,000 BTU units are sufficient. Commissioners approved the Central Montana Propane bid of $20,810; staff said timing was important to complete installation before winter.
Why it matters: The police vehicle replaces a budgeted unit and is intended for patrol use; the city will need to authorize and budget upfitting costs before the car is fully deployed. The furnace purchase addresses immediate heating needs at the fire station and was presented as an urgent, budgeted item.
Votes at a glance: the patrol vehicle purchase (Bison Ford, $50,862.72 / $50,863.72 readback) passed on roll call; the furnace contract with Central Montana Propane for $20,810 passed on roll call.
The meeting record shows commissioners voted affirmatively on both motions; staff will return with upfitting costs for the patrol vehicle and schedule furnace installation.
