Custer County reallocates Search & Rescue funds, donates $25,000 to West Dam project

The Custer County Commission on Feb. 19 approved financial moves that will direct county resources toward the West Dam project and Search & Rescue needs.

Finance Officer Dawn McLaughlin told commissioners there was an assigned Search & Rescue balance of $66,869.02 held for land/building expenses. The commission voted unanimously to unassign that balance and then approved a $25,000 donation to the West Dam project and reassign $41,869.02 to remain with Search & Rescue for purchase of a mobile command unit. The motion to unassign $66,869.02 was made by Commissioner Mark Hartman and seconded by Commissioner Michael Busskohl; subsequent motions to assign and release funds passed by unanimous vote.

Commissioner Craig Hindle said the commission wanted to show support for West Dam while retaining funds for Search & Rescue equipment. The commission directed staff to release $25,000 to the City of Custer and to hold the remaining $41,869.02 in account 101-276.55 for Search & Rescue.

Next steps include transfer of the donation to city accounts and continued planning for the mobile command unit purchase; no procurement timeline was specified in the meeting minutes.