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Madison County commissioners approve bridge awards, adopt rental ordinance and set property-sale hearing; courthouse bids opened
Summary
At the March 31 meeting in Virginia City, Madison County commissioners unanimously approved a Lake Road bridge contractor award, authorized a $328,976.22 payment for Seyler Lane bridge work, adopted Ordinance 3-2026 on lease/rent regulations, approved a $1.5 million kitchen plan option and set an April 28 hearing on county property disposition; five courthouse renovation bids were opened.
Madison County commissioners in Virginia City on March 31 unanimously approved multiple infrastructure actions, adopted an amended rental-regulation ordinance and scheduled a public hearing on county property disposition.
The board voted to award the Lake Road Bridge replacement contract to Battle Ridge Builders, Inc. LLC for $129,525 and approved MCEP CG 25 050 Seyler Lane Bridge Replacement Application for Payment #1 in the amount of $328,976.22, authorizing the contractor to resume work. Grants Manager Shawna Lutgen and engineer Logan Williams presented project updates and funding context before the votes. Commissioners William Todd, Duke Gilman and Ron Nye voted aye on both motions.
At the meeting, Planning Director Cody Marxer presented the second reading of Ordinance 3-2026, amending Madison County regulations for buildings for lease or rent; Marxer reported no public comments were received. Commissioner William Todd moved to adopt the ordinance; the board voted unanimously. The ordinance becomes effective 30 days after adoption.
County staff opened five responsive bids for the Madison County Courthouse addition and renovation: Jackson Contractor Group ($8,605,300.00), Markovich Construction ($8,795,000.00), Diamond Construction ($9,099,000.00), Oswood Construction ($9,330,000.00) and PRG Commercial ($9,680,000.00). Alternates for storm windows were listed for each bidder. Commissioners took the bids under advisement and will announce an award at the April 7, 2026 regular meeting.
On other business, the board approved committing contributed funds for the Silver Springs bridge replacement (SB536-related funding) and approved Option two for the MVM kitchen plan, estimated at $1,500,000.00. The Fairgrounds Afton Tickets contract was continued because the fairgrounds manager experienced technical difficulties and could not participate. The board also approved continuing Senior Meals contracted services at the Virginia City Café and directed payment from the Senior contingency fund to cover a fiscal-year shortfall.
County Attorney Colton Lauer and Sanitation official Kacey Smart reviewed the history of the Construction/Demolition permit fee, noting the current permit functions as a solid-waste permit enacted in 2006 rather than a building permit; the commissioners voted to table the matter indefinitely for further review. The board set a hearing date of April 28, 2026 for Resolution 17-2026, which will establish a process for the sale and disposition of county real property as required by the Montana Code Annotated. The board recessed for a noon closed session on employee relations and adjourned at 12:44 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 3-2026 (Adopt amended buildings-for-lease-or-rent regulations): Motion by Commissioner William Todd; second by Commissioner Duke Gilman; vote: Nye—aye, Gilman—aye, Todd—aye; outcome: adopted; effective in 30 days. - Lake Road Bridge Replacement (contract award to Battle Ridge Builders, Inc. LLC): Motion by Commissioner William Todd; second by Commissioner Duke Gilman; vote: Nye—aye, Gilman—aye, Todd—aye; outcome: approved; contract amount: $129,525.00. - MCEP CG 25 050 Seyler Lane Bridge Replacement (Application for Payment #1): Motion by Commissioner William Todd; second by Commissioner Duke Gilman; vote: Nye—aye, Gilman—aye, Todd—aye; outcome: payment approved; amount: $328,976.22; contractor ordered to resume work. - MCEP Silver Springs Bridge Replacement (commitment of contributed funds): Motion by Commissioner William Todd; second by Commissioner Duke Gilman; vote: Nye—aye, Gilman—aye, Todd—aye; outcome: approved. - MVM Kitchen Plan (Option two): Motion by Commissioner William Todd; second by Commissioner Duke Gilman; vote: Nye—aye, Gilman—aye, Todd—aye; outcome: approved; estimated cost: $1,500,000.00. - Senior Meals Contracted Services (Virginia City Café; pay from Senior contingency funds): Motion by Commissioner William Todd; second by Commissioner Duke Gilman; vote: Nye—aye, Gilman—aye, Todd—aye; outcome: approved. - Courthouse renovation bid opening: Five bids opened; bids taken under advisement; award to be announced April 7, 2026. - Construction/Demolition permit application/process: Motion by Commissioner William Todd to table indefinitely; outcome: tabled. - Resolution 17-2026 (procedure for sale/disposition of county real property): Hearing set for April 28, 2026; motion passed unanimously.
Key participants and speakers cited in meeting materials included Commissioners Ron Nye (Chairman), Duke Gilman and William Todd; Planning Director Cody Marxer; County Attorney Colton Lauer; Grants Manager Shawna Lutgen; Great West Engineering representative Logan Williams; Public Health representative Emilie Sayler; and Senior Citizens Advisory Board representative Janet Doornbos. The board indicated no final contractor award for the courthouse project at this meeting; that decision will follow review at the April 7 meeting.
