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Commissioners question Billings MOU that appears to put tower decommissioning costs on Daniels County
Summary
Commissioners voted to delay agreeing to a Billings MOU to relocate a decommissioned radio tower after reading language that appeared to require Daniels County to cover decommissioning, transport and reinstallation costs; county staff will seek explicit price estimates from Billings before the Nov. 22 follow-up meeting.
Daniels County commissioners paused action on a memorandum of understanding with the city of Billings after officials said the draft MOU appeared to shift the full cost of decommissioning and moving the Billings tower onto Daniels County.
Chair Michael Lund raised the concern after reviewing the document. "It looks to us that we're gonna pay the full extent of everything on this," Lund said, calling for specific dollar figures before the county commits. Commissioners said the MOU as written included broad language obligating the county to reimburse Billings for any damage and to pay expenses associated with decommissioning, transportation and reinstallation.
Billings' representative (speaker 10, Brian) told the board he had earlier discussed cost-sharing with Billings staff and expected the MOU to reflect a split arrangement. "I thought she was gonna pay for half and you guys would pay for half," the Billings contact said, asking the county to send the draft so he could check with his colleagues.
Commissioners said they did not object in principle to acquiring a tower the county could use for emergency communications, but they insisted on written cost estimates and clearer liability language before approving anything. The board directed staff to forward the MOU and associated cost quotes to Billings contact Priscilla and to follow up by phone. Commissioners signaled they expect updated figures and clarifications at or before the special meeting set for Nov. 22.
Why it matters: The tower could provide Daniels County stronger local radio coverage and a backup communications path, but commissioners said the county cannot accept an open-ended financial obligation without specific numbers or a clearer cost-sharing structure.
Provenance: topicintro: SEG 4570 ("We got the copy of the, proposal from the city of Billings about this tower sit situation.") — topfinish: SEG 4714 (Billings contact said he would call Priscilla and follow up).
