County agrees to buy $26,500 lift

Flathead County commissioners agreed to purchase a 1999 Genie lift for $26,500 for use mostly by the county maintenance staff.

County Maintenance Superintendent Jed Fisher asked for the used piece of equipment to help “keep your beautiful campus looking good.”

Fisher said the county has rented a lift periodically to do things such as clean gutters and wash windows on the three-story buildings at the courthouse campus. But with the completion of a $2.7 million project to renovate and upgrade the courthouse, Fisher said a lift will be needed more frequently.

Owning a lift will allow for regular cleaning of the upper reaches of the courthouse, Earl Bennett Building and Flathead County Justice Center, he said. A lift also could be used at both the county fairgrounds and road and bridge shop.

Renting a lift is a costly venture, he said, and the county could recoup the rental costs in a year of ownership, Fisher said.

Commissioner Dale Lauman agreed with Fisher’s recommendation.

“With the three-story buildings, I understand the need,” Lauman said. “A lift is the safe way to do the work. It’s probably worth the investment.”