Madison County commissioners approve $11 million partial bond release and several routine items, table sheriff vehicle surplus

Madison County's Board of Commissioners met April 21, 2026, in Virginia City and approved a series of motions including a partial release of a subdivision improvements bond for Moonlight Basin West 1, authorization of a bridge bid agreement, and several routine administrative items.

Planning Director Cody Marxer asked the board to release $11,061,691.22 from bond number SPA150997-001 for Moonlight Basin West 1 PUD, leaving $20,585,279.33 on the bond. The board approved the partial release on a unanimous vote (motion by Commissioner Duke W. Gilman; second by Commissioner William A. Todd). The action reduces the county's holding on that subdivision guarantee while preserving a remaining balance for outstanding improvements.

Grants Manager Shawna Lutgen notified the board that the county will hold a public meeting on May 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. to support an MCEP grant application for replacement of the Judy Lane Bridge over the Ruby River. The board set that date by unanimous vote (motion by Commissioner Gilman; second by Commissioner Todd).

The board also approved a bid agreement for the Lake Road Bridge, and authorized CDBG Request for Funds #4 for Harrison's Phase 2 wastewater project in the amount of $1,663.00. Both actions passed unanimously.

The county adopted Resolution 18-2026, which declares certain county vehicles surplus property, after County Attorney Colton Lauer and Undersheriff Craig Schroder were noted during the discussion. Separately, discussion of surplus vehicles specifically assigned to the sheriff's department was tabled on a unanimous motion.

The commissioners approved deeds to close alleys in Pony and voted to cancel the Tuesday, May 5, 2026, commissioner meeting. Consideration of the Courthouse Renovation and Rehabilitation Project contract with Jackson Contractor Group was continued to the following week. The board also approved $1,200.00 for an indigent burial assistance application.

All recorded motions in the minutes carried on unanimous votes recorded as: Ron Nye, Duke Gilman and William Todd in favor.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (minutes and claims): approved; mover Gilman, second Todd; vote 3-0 yes (Nye, Gilman, Todd). - Lake Road Bridge bid agreement: approved; mover Todd, second Gilman; vote 3-0 yes. - MCEP public meeting for Judy Lane Bridge (May 4, 2026): approved; mover Gilman, second Todd; vote 3-0 yes. - CDBG Request for Funds #4 (Harrison Phase 2 wastewater) — $1,663.00: approved; mover Gilman, second Todd; vote 3-0 yes. - SIA partial release — Moonlight Basin West 1 PUD — release $11,061,691.22 from bond SPA150997-001 (leaving $20,585,279.33): approved; mover Gilman, second Todd; vote 3-0 yes. - Resolution 18-2026 (declare vehicles surplus): approved; mover Todd, second Gilman; vote 3-0 yes. - Surplus county vehicles (sheriff's department): tabled; mover Todd, second Gilman; vote 3-0 yes. - Deeds for alley closures in Pony: approved; mover Todd, second Gilman; vote 3-0 yes. - Cancel meeting May 5, 2026: approved; mover Todd, second Gilman; vote 3-0 yes. - Courthouse renovation contract with Jackson Contractor Group: continued to next week; mover Todd, second Gilman; vote 3-0 yes. - Indigent burial assistance: $1,200 approved; mover Todd, second Gilman; vote 3-0 yes.

Next steps: the public meeting on the Judy Lane Bridge MCEP grant is scheduled for May 4, and the board will revisit the courthouse contractor contract and the sheriff's vehicle surplus at future meetings. The board adjourned at 10:27 a.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for April 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Public Meeting Room of the Administrative Building in Virginia City.