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Airport manager warns of fuel testing cost and inventory mix‑up at Bowman Field
Summary
Airport Manager Monte Belgarde reported fuel is not being sold at Bowman Field, said testing for fuel contamination would run about $7,000, and described a 4,000‑gallon order mix‑up with Powell County that left the airport with excess fuel.
Airport Manager Monte Belgarde told the Airport Advisory Board that the airport's fuel supply ‘‘is not being sold’’ and that the airport has experienced inventory and ordering issues. Belgarde said the last fuel order was for 4,000 gallons but a supply mix‑up with Powell County resulted in receiving more fuel than needed.
Belgarde reported that testing fuel to determine whether it is contaminated would cost roughly $7,000 and said it "would be better to regenerate the current fuel and add to it." He also said the county manages fuel orders and pays the bills. Vice‑Chair Laura Mancevich asked about retail pricing; Belgarde said Bowman Field fuel is set at $5.50 per gallon (compared with $5.45 per gallon in Deer Lodge). Carlye Hansen added that she has heard Life Flight traffic on her scanner, which the manager said underscores that pilots are not consistently signing in.
No formal action was taken at the meeting on fuel testing or purchases; the remarks were presented as part of the manager's report and flagged as operational issues for follow up.
