Garfield County approves air packs for two fire departments, signs leases and multiple budget transfers

Garfield County commissioners voted unanimously June 1 to buy new self-contained breathing apparatus for two volunteer departments, authorize short-term equipment leases and complete a slate of budget transfers and claims that keep county operations funded.

Vice-Chairman Reese Wedel moved to approve quotes for air packs for the Fairmont Fire Department and the Hunter Fire Department “in the amount of $142,815.00 and $106,165.00,” respectively; the motion passed with Chairman Clarence Maly and Member Joe Kegin Jr. joining Wedel in the aye votes. The purchases were presented to the board by Joel Eggers, identified in the minutes as chief of the Fairmont Fire Department.

Also approved were two one-year postage equipment leases with Pitney Bowes: a countywide lease for a 2000 model with quarterly payments totaling $1,446.30 (moved by Joe Kegin) and a SendPro C lease for the Garfield County Election Board with quarterly payments of $219.39 (moved by Wedel). The board approved a $5-per-precinct stipend for election officials for statewide elections in fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027) and adopted Resolution No. 26-67 to deposit those funds into the Election Board personal services account.

Financial and administrative actions included approval of a contract with County Budgeting Services LLC to begin July 1, 2026; appointment of Lori Stanley and removal of Lori Tegard as receiving officers from Contingency and as requesting officers from Maintenance; and adoption of three highway-related resolutions setting maximum monthly expenditures at $5,728,017.96 (Resolution 26-68), $2,573,477.70 (Resolution 26-69, CBRI) and $281,003.60 (Resolution 26-70, CIRB). The board also approved a Cash Fund Estimate of Needs and Request for Appropriation for Highway Unrestricted in the amount of $1,625.00 and a $70,000 transfer from Contingency to Building Maintenance.

The county’s Clerk read bids received for Six Month Bid No. 26-18 from a range of materials and equipment vendors. Vice-Chairman Wedel moved to accept all bids except the submission from Vance Brothers, which lacked a signed notarized Terms and Conditions form; the board carried the Vance Brothers item for later consideration.

The board examined and approved a list of purchase orders and claims (warrants) across multiple funds, including a $56,757.43 payment for the detention building and substantial highway fuel and coatings payments. Vice-Chairman Wedel moved to approve the claims and the motion carried with Maly and Kegin joining in the aye votes.

With no public comments registered and no further business, the board voted to adjourn and scheduled its next meeting for June 8, 2026.

Votes at a glance: Approval of minutes (May 26, 2026) — Aye: Clarence Maly, Reese Wedel; Abstain: Joe Kegin Jr.; Approval of Fairmont and Hunter air pack quotes — Aye: Maly, Wedel, Kegin; Lease agreements with Pitney Bowes (county and Election Board) — Aye: Maly, Wedel, Kegin; $5 stipend and Resolution 26-67 for precinct election officials (FY27) — Aye: Maly, Wedel, Kegin; Contract with County Budgeting Services LLC (FY 2026–2027) — Aye: Maly, Wedel, Kegin; Appointment/removal of officers — Aye: Maly, Wedel, Kegin; Resolutions 26-68/26-69/26-70 on highway expenditures — Aye: Maly, Wedel, Kegin; Transfers and appropriations listed in the minutes — Aye: Maly, Wedel, Kegin; Bid acceptance for Bid #26-18 (excluding Vance Brothers) — Aye: Maly, Wedel, Kegin; Approval of warrants and claims — Aye: Maly, Wedel, Kegin.

The meeting minutes list the full warrant and vendor details filed with the County Clerk’s Office.