Park County Commission approves ARPA reallocation, accepts bridge grant and backs opioid-abatement payroll application; will send letter on airport fee limits

The Park County Commission on Sept. 23 approved a series of funding and administrative actions, including reallocating remaining ARPA funds to security upgrades for the county attorney's office, accepting state grant funding for a bridge replacement, authorizing an opioid-abatement grant application to fund a half-time peer-support specialist, and agreeing to prepare a letter to congressional delegates opposing a proposed airport-fee limitation.

Commissioners voted by voice on each item during a meeting that included public comment and staff briefings. County staff said the actions will not immediately require additional local tax dollars and will support ongoing facilities, infrastructure and behavioral-health services.

The most significant actions

- Reallocation of ARPA Billman Lane funds: County staff requested that $9,200 remaining from the Billman Lane engineering project be reallocated to security needs for the county attorney’s forthcoming move to Calendar Street. A commissioner moved the reallocation; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said the funding will cover security measures needed for the office move.

- Acceptance of Montana Department of Transportation SB 5-36 grant for Horse Creek Bridge replacement: Staff told the commission that earlier contracts and award documentation for MSAP funding were already accepted and that the SB 5-36 award provides matching funds such that "the county would not have to contribute any funding" to the Horse Creek Bridge replacement. A commissioner moved acceptance; it was seconded and approved by voice vote.

- Submission of Montana Opioid Abatement Trust grant application (payroll for 0.5 FTE MCRT peer-support specialist): County staff asked for authorization to submit an application to the opioid-abatement trust to fund 0.5 full-time equivalent for a Mobile Crisis Response Team (peer support specialist Jeanette Teka) to cover wages and fringe benefits through the end of fiscal year 2026–27. "Jeanette provides an invaluable service to the county and really helps in keeping individuals who have had a mental health crisis on the track to recovery," a commissioner said in support. A motion to submit the application was seconded and approved by voice vote.

- Letter to congressional delegates regarding airport funding bill: Staff reported the airport board asked the commission to oppose a proposed congressional bill that would limit how general airports can generate revenue (reportedly including landing and parking fees). A commissioner moved that the commission write a letter to congressional delegates expressing the county's concerns; the motion was seconded and approved. Staff said templates had been provided by the airport board and the commission will review a proposed template before finalizing the letter.

Votes at a glance

- Reallocate ARPA Billman Lane funds to county attorney security: Motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote (motion recorded in minutes). - Accept MDT SB 5-36 grant for Horse Creek Bridge replacement: Motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote (motion recorded in minutes). - Submit Montana Opioid Abatement Trust grant application for 0.5 FTE MCRT peer-support specialist: Motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote (motion recorded in minutes). - Authorize letter to congressional delegates regarding airport funding bill: Motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote (motion recorded in minutes).

What happens next

Staff will return with contract documentation and recommendations where needed (for example, a bid review and recommendation for a public-works maintenance truck was deferred for later action). The commission will review draft letter templates from the airport board before sending a formal letter to congressional delegates. The opioid-abatement grant application will be submitted to the regional abatement trust program for consideration.

Reporting and recordkeeping

Minutes record the motions and voice approvals; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript for these items. Where a grant or contract requires additional documentation, staff said they will follow up with the commission when recommendations or contract awards are ready for formal acceptance.