Commission Minutes – August 11-15, 2025
MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Mandi Varner, Member
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week.
9:00 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:15 AM OUTSIDE MAINTENANCE UPDATES/ Robbie Christiaens, Outside Maintenance Supervisor
Updated on building maintenance and mowing for the fair. Discussed assisting the Cemetery Caretaker on mowing. Discussed stripping for parking lots after winter; marking curbs around the beach for snow plowing.
9:20 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:26 AM Skyla Varner, Chamber Assistant joined the meeting.
9:30 AM BAKER CHAMBER UPDATES/ Alissa Miller, Chamber Executive Director
Alissa reported on the Chamber website and Facebook posts. Updated on the Recreation Department and upcoming events. Discussed Resolution #1158 for the Recreation Department.
9:36 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:45 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Mitch was unable to attend the meeting. Bryan updated on requests from members of the public. Reported on open-cut permits. Hauling to the 11-mile road and currently mowing. Carl updated on replacing faded out signs; updated on equipment and vehicle maintenance. Discussed rotation for the loader.
1. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON MOTOR GRADER BIDS
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the RDO Motor Grader Bid along with the buy back for the two CATS. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Aye. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
2. MDT SYSTEMIC SAFETY ANALYSIS SITES – ZOOM MEETING/ Daniel Birlut, MDT Safety Project Engineer; Jim Frank, MDT District Preconstruction Engineer; Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
Discussed intersection for Highway 7, Pennel Road and Shell Oil Road; suggested to have signage and additional lighting. The State would pay for the project with safety money, but the County would sign an agreement to maintain the signage and lighting once installed. Discussed the timeline for the Ekalaka Highway project; would be a two-year project starting in 2027.
10:26 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
Discussed cleaning the line for the golf course irrigation system and installing a gate valve. Reviewed hydraulic study from DNRC for the floodplain study; flow rate has decreased for the Baker Lake Tributary and for Sandstone Creek Tributary. Will receive the model sometime in the fall. Updated on approach documents for Ismay Road South. Rich updated on the spillway needing to be cleared out before the lake releases; will wait for reeds to fold over.
10:42 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:52 AM Jodi Varner, SMART President joined the meeting.
11:00 AM SMART UPDATES/ Katie Miller, Executive Director
Discussed Fall Festival. The Governor will be visiting the Visitor Center tomorrow; the Commission were invited. Discussed poll questions for the Pocket Park and the empty space above Junction 39.
11:00 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:15 AM PERMISSION TO HIRE TEMPORARY COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER/ Kim Bryan, Director of Public Health; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Rost motioned to hire Kassidy Maierhofer for the Temporary Community Health Worker. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
Discussed timeline for the drug test for the positions start date.
11:16 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:16 AM PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES/ Kim Bryan, Director of Public Health
Updated on Fair events and booths for the Sun Bus and Tobacco Prevention. Reported on Catalyst for Change trainings. Mindi is currently finalizing the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Discussed influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.
11:24 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Mandi Varner, Member
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Jerry Newell joined the meeting. Jerry requested a correction to the minutes for the District budget meeting. Corrections are as follows per submitted document; physical copy will be filed in the Clerk & Recorders Office:
I am here to formally request that a correction be acknowledged and recorded for the commissioner proceedings of June 23, 2025, during the District Court budget meeting with Jennifer Fischer, Clerk of Court.
Jennifer requested that $20,000 be added to the District Court budget to purchase new jury chairs, a TV and computer for the courtroom as well as a laptop and other items.
Jennifer said:
“When we had that thing for Jodie, or not Jodie, for Jerrie, they messed around with the TV and totally messed up my sound system. (Who messed around?) HER SON trying to get his computer hooked up to the State TV, and it was a mess, I “kind a” walked into, and, ah it’s just something you can’t mess with. And it has no USB connection, that State TV.”
This statement is NOT TRUE.
That “State TV” belongs to Fallon County and is connected to the State of Montana for Zoom hearings. Both the TV and the sound system worked perfectly fine when I left my office for the last time. Is the TV outdated, and a replacement needed – yes but do not tell lies to get your budget approved.
Jennifer said:
“Every year you’re supposed to mail out jury questionnaires. They have not been the past four years.”
Is she saying I did not do my job??? A jury panel has been drawn each year for the past thirty-six years as required by statute. A new law was passed this legislative session. The last jury trial held in Fallon County was in 2020 during COVID. Not mailing questionnaires saved the taxpayers over $1,000.
Also, MACDC pays for the expenses of the Clerk of Court to attend education training, not the county.
The jury chairs looked great when I left office. Old, but usuable.
I do not recommend fastening jury chairs in the juror box.
1:18 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion
1:40 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Review Roddy M. Rost road easement
There was no discussion at this time being as Commissioner Varner is absent and this easement is within her district.
2. Review Burial Policy and Application
Discussed the current language of the policy and the application; will include the request for five years of income, resources and assets.
3. Old business as needed
Received an ADA Compliance letter for the fair; reviewed the draft response letter. Discussed ways to resolve the handicap and vendor parking issues.
1:54 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:00 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve August 4-8, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the August 4-8, 2025 Commission Minutes. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
2. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on Repeater and Base Station bids
Commissioner Rost motioned to award the Repeater and Base Station bids to TAB Electronics. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
b. Discussion/Decision on appointing board members
Commissioner Rost motioned to appoint Pat Ehret and Tiffany Davis to the Museum Board. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
c. Review/Decision on revised Cattle Guard Policy
There was no discussion at this time.
d. Discussion/Decision to adopt Resolution #1158 to donate funds to the Port Authority to support recreation department
Commissioner Rost motioned to adopt Resolution #1158. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
e. Discussion/Decision on Area 1 Agency on Aging Service Contract
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Service Contract for Council on Aging. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
f. Discussion/Decision on Fireside Maintenance Service Agreements
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Maintenance Service Agreements. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
g. Discussion/Decision on extending deadline for Parkview interior paint and carpeting project
Commissioner Rost motioned to extend the deadline to the end of December 2025. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
h. Discussion/Decision on MTI quote to replace Fallon Medical Complex condenser with mill levy money
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the MTI condenser quote for the amount of $34,735.00 with maintenance money only. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
i. Discussion/Decision on Midland Implement Toro Groundsmaster 3500 mower for the golf course
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Midland Implement quote for the amount of $49,254.00. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on Roddy M. Rost Easement
No discussion at this time.
b. Discussion/Decision on drafted Petition to create a road
No discussion at this time.
c. Special claims run for a fair contract
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Special Claims run for a Rodeo Announcer in the amount of $5,250.00. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
2:31 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business; meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
