The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve the purchase of a smaller Search and Rescue command van for $54,948 on May 28, 2025, so the vehicle can be ordered and built before the June 2 deadline.

The vote followed a presentation from a Search and Rescue representative explaining that the current 2005 command vehicle is 20 years old, showing mechanical and equipment compatibility problems, and that two vehicle bids were obtained: approximately $59,000 from Lithia and $54,948.25 from Bell McCall. The representative said a roughly $64,000 upfit — including a 5,500-watt generator and interior systems — would be needed later.

The county's capital balance includes about $100,000 earmarked for vehicle replacement, which the presenter said would cover the vehicle cost but not the full upfit. Commissioners and staff discussed possible reuse of existing equipment (radios, generator) and the prospect of reallocating $10,000 in capital that had been set aside for wetsuits to help cover upfit costs.

Commissioner Burrows moved to approve the purchase of the van in the amount of $54,948; Commissioner Holes seconded the motion. Both commissioners voted in favor and the motion carried. The board did not approve the upfit funding at the same time; staff said the department would return later with upfit proposals and additional quotes.

The Search and Rescue representative and county staff noted logistics for disposing or repurposing the existing command vehicle — presently used for storage and difficult to drive into remote locations — and discussed options including resale or reuse for a fire camp. Commissioners emphasized the need to plan for vehicle replacement earlier in the capital schedule to avoid last-minute funding gaps.

The county directed staff to proceed with ordering the vehicle to meet the supplier's build deadline, and to return with detailed estimates and options for upfitting and funding the equipment package.