Counties approve joint RFP to study road north of Buffalo Gap

Billings County and Golden Valley County commissioners voted at a special joint meeting to issue a combined request for proposals (RFP) to hire an engineering firm to study a proposed public road north of Buffalo Gap that would tie into West River Road in Billings County.

The motion approved by both counties instructs staff to draft and publish a joint RFP so an engineer can produce preliminary designs, identify creek crossings or bridge needs, and estimate costs. "If both counties are in agreement to move forward with doing some sort of initial proposal," said the counties' legal/staff representative (S2), "then both counties would make a prospective motion to engage and put out an RFP for engineering services to explore the option of this proposed route." The board recorded the motion for Golden Valley County as "moved by Bob, 2nd by Rory" and then passed a parallel motion in Billings County that carried on an oral vote.

Commissioners said a single engineering firm working for both counties will reduce duplication and allow a consistent assessment of the route's topography and shared cost allocation. "Looking at the maps where they stand, it's roughly 50/50," one commissioner (S3) said when discussing initial cost splits; several participants agreed to split initial engineering costs evenly until final measurements clarify each county's share. The board set March 20 as the RFP submission deadline and scheduled a joint special meeting for March 30 at 1:00 p.m. to review proposals and prepare a recommendation for formal votes at their regular April meetings.

Next steps: staff will draft a joint RFP, publish it through each county auditor, accept submissions by the March 20 deadline, and convene a joint review meeting the week of March 30. Commissioners emphasized that public comment will be taken at later stages when an official proposal and designs are available.