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Grand County approves contingent $84,000 tree‑removal contract tied to Windy Gap closing
Summary
County staff told commissioners the Windy Gap property closing was delayed but funds are in escrow; the board approved a contingent contract with High Range Tree Service for $84,000 with a 25% deposit ($21,000), authorizing the chair to sign only after closing and contractor execution.
County staff updated the Board of County Commissioners on the delayed closing for the Windy Gap property and won board approval for a contingent tree‑removal contract.
The county manager told commissioners the closing had been extended to Nov. 21, that funds were in escrow and that closing documents had been signed but the transfer had not closed. The manager said staff had signed and amended the purchase documents to extend the date and that, ‘‘if we think that that's gonna close in the next few days, great. If not, we'll probably pull the wire transfer and escrow funds back until we have a definite closing date.’’
Staff requested approval of a contract with High Range Tree Service to remove or masticate roughly 1,700 trees on the property at a cost of $84,000 and said the county revised the contract to include a 25% deposit ($21,000) to allow contractor mobilization if the closing occurred. The manager emphasized that any signature or notice to proceed would be ‘‘absolutely contingent on closing on the property’’ and that the contractor would not sign until the county took ownership.
A commissioner moved to approve the contract and the board clarified the authority to stamp a signature outside the meeting if needed. The board approved the motion; staff recorded the authorization as expressly contingent on (1) the property closing and (2) the contractor executing the agreement. Commissioners discussed seeking potential reimbursement from previously approved open‑lands funding (ORT) as a reimbursement request to be filed in spring, but noted that particular funding buckets typically target fee‑simple land or water rights, not maintenance.
The board did not finalize a start date for work because the county said winter conditions could prevent safe tree removal; staff said contractor mobilization this season was possible only if the county closed the transaction immediately. The manager said staff would proceed only after closing was confirmed and the contractor signed.
