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Caribou County reviews budgets; approves two Road & Bridge pickups and several maintenance requests
Summary
During a full-day budget review the board approved two 2026 Ford F-350 pickups for Road & Bridge, authorized vehicle brake repairs for Extension, raised a part-time Event Center wage and reviewed major requests including a $260,000 Spillman server proposal, a $40,000 PRCA rodeo appropriation request and potential jail fee increases.
Caribou County commissioners spent much of their June 22 meeting reviewing department budgets, approving targeted equipment repairs and authorizing purchases while deferring several larger funding decisions for follow-up.
Road & Bridge Superintendent Kevin McLain presented bids for two pickups; Commissioner Bryce Somsen moved to purchase two 2026 Ford F-350s at $65,913.76 each from Road & Bridge capital outlay and Commissioner Marty McCullough seconded. The board approved the purchase.
Extension Office staff reported two vehicles needed brake repairs and the board approved both repairs up to $2,000 each. The board also approved raising Event Center employee Dally Smith’s wages to match part-time rates immediately.
Sheriff J. Adam Mabey presented capital and technology requests, including a proposed one-time Spillman support figure totaling $260,000 to acquire a new server and backup. Mabey said he has started talking with other counties about cost-sharing and suggested the county could consider PILT or department assistance to help fund the purchase; the board asked the sheriff to gather bids and to prioritize the server before other technology purchases such as license-plate readers.
Fair Board member Jake Barfuss asked the board to continue a $40,000 PRCA rodeo appropriation for a third year; the board expressed concern about the cost-versus-revenue balance and suggested Barfuss pursue grants and staff coordination. Road & Bridge will also move forward on center-line painting for Blackfoot River Road, estimated around $20,000, and the board discussed dust-guard materials and other highway items.
Commissioners reviewed numerous departmental funding requests — from assessor software migration proposals to ambulance and weed-control supply increases — and deferred final payroll budget decisions to a later meeting. The board approved the day's claims ($376,535.71) and payroll ($403,091.53) and adjourned at 4:02 p.m. The board will meet again July 13, 2026.
