Park County commissioners approve MSU Extension agreement, airport hire and three board appointments

The Park County Board of County Commissioners voted Dec. 2 to approve several routine but consequential personnel and contract items, including the FY26 extension services agreement with Montana State University Extension, authorization to post and hire an airport administrative assistant, three planning‑board appointments that take effect in February 2026, and the reappointment of Paul Lyman to the county seat on the joint airport board.

Mary Ann Keith of the extension office described the annual agreement that enables four MSU Extension agents to serve in Park County, noting the contract term runs July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and that rule‑based indemnification language is limited because MSU and the county are both state agencies. Keith said there is a 90‑day opt‑out clause in the contract and that MSU’s legal counsel would review any revised language if commissioners request changes. “This is the yearly county agreement that allows the 4 MSU Extension agents to be contracted here,” Keith said.

Commissioner Vermillion moved to approve the FY26 agreement; Commissioner Story seconded. After brief questions from the board and an explanatory comment from the finance office about how year‑to‑year invoicing works, the motion passed by voice vote.

The board then approved a revised, part‑time airport administrative‑assistant job description with an updated FTE and pay‑grade range. An airport staff member told commissioners the airport board had approved the duties and that a permanent, designated person is needed to manage landing fees and lease billing. Commissioner Vermillion moved to post and hire for the position; Commissioner Story seconded and the motion passed.

Commissioners confirmed three planning‑board appointments to take effect Feb. 2026—Mark Roberts, Kent Hanawalt and Kathy Foote—after commissioners praised the applicants’ willingness to volunteer. The board also considered public comment and an airport‑board recommendation to reappoint Paul Lyman to the county seat on the joint airport board; the airport board had voted with Lyman recused from that decision. Commissioner Vermillion moved to reappoint Lyman; the motion was seconded and approved.

Other formal items approved by voice vote included the Nov. 25, 2025 meeting minutes and routine consent items. No controversial amendments or split votes were recorded in the public transcript; all motions noted in the record passed by voice vote.