Park County commissioners table proposal to require attorney review of contracts after departments raise turnaround concerns

The Park County Commission on June 2, 2026 took up a proposed resolution from the county attorney’s office that would require legal review before submitting contracts that bind county funds, property or future staffing commitments. County Attorney Chad told the commission the measure was prompted by recent contracts that contained incorrect liability amounts and that attorney review is intended as a best-practice to protect the county from exposure.

Chad (County Attorney’s Office) said the resolution would require attorney review when a contract “binds our county or creates liability or obligates county funds or staffing or property or future performance,” and described the change as a recommended “best practice.”

Several departmental staff and public commenters said they support legal oversight but asked the commission to narrow scope, clarify turnaround expectations and add exemptions for standardized, time-sensitive forms. Mark Grammer of the Yellowstone Gateway Museum said attorney review makes sense but asked whether the county could guarantee a prompt turnaround. “I’m a little worried on the time it takes to get back for everything,” Grammer said, urging the commission to spell out expected review periods so grantees and event planners can meet deadlines.

A grants-office representative noted that grant compliance is time sensitive and that the grants office is designated each January as an authorized representative for contracts and grants; the speaker asked whether those routine, internal certifications would be swept into the new requirement. Morgan from Fairgrounds & Parks said some rental agreements are standardized and routinely used on short notice; she warned that requiring attorney review for those forms could cause missed bookings and lost revenue.

Commissioners responded by saying they shared the county attorney’s concern about liability but wanted clearer definitions and an agreed process. One commissioner moved to table the resolution so the attorney’s office, the sheriff’s office, grants staff and other departments can meet and fine-tune language and timelines. The motion to table was seconded and entered for future consideration.

Next steps: commissioners asked staff to convene a working meeting with the county attorney’s office and affected departments to draft clarified language (including possible narrow exemptions or service-level expectations) and return the item to a future agenda.