Blakeman Propane advocates for buying local

Whether or not the county should seek alternative bids for its propane supply came into question on Wednesday when representatives from Blakeman Propane attended the regular meeting of the commissioners to advocate for “shopping at home.”

Tally Hughes, plant manager in Sundance, explained that the question had arisen when she was contacted by a county employee for information about what the county would need to do in order to purchase and own its propane tanks.

Phil Schutt, Sales Manager, then addressed the commissioners to say he had heard rumors the county was planning to put out for bids on propane.

“You have but one home-owned company in Crook County, and that’s Blakeman Propane,” he said.

Schutt listed the benefits of using a local company, beginning with the fact that a portion of the sales tax paid by Blakeman Propane comes right back to the county and cities. Meanwhile, he said, the company paid approximately $17,000 on property tax last year and around $17,000 for vehicle licensing, not to mention the $6600 in sales tax on those vehicles alone.

Blakeman Propane also has 14 employees within the county, he continued, 11 of whom own homes and thus pay property tax of their own.

“That should count for something,” he said, later pointing out that the company’s cheapest competitor is out of Montana and “local preference” in Wyoming allows for a local company to be up to 5% higher than the non-local competition.

“I would like to see you guys shop at home,” Schutt concluded, reiterating that the money Blakeman Propane spends comes right back here.

In response, Commissioner Fred Devish explained that bidding out the propane is simply part of the fiscal duty of the commission. He explained that he cannot recall the last time the county put a bid out for its propane, but it is the responsibility of the commissioners to ensure they have made the most fiscally sensible choice and selected a “fair and decent deal for the county.”

On that basis, the commissioners decided they would still pursue the formal bid process for propane. Commissioner Jeanne Whalen also stated that she still believes it would be a good idea for the county to own its own tanks – a comment with which Hughes agreed.