Commission Minutes – May 25-29, 2026
MONDAY, MAY 25, 2026
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE IS CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
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 CLERK OF COURT UPDATES/ Jennifer Fisher, Clerk of Court
1. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON CHAIR QUOTE
Presented quotes from Boss and Amazon to replace the chairs in the jury box. Discussed using the chairs from the jury room to repair or replace the chairs in the jury box, and replacing the chairs in the jury room; the Commission is not interested in purchasing new chairs. Discussed acquiring permission from the Commission when wanting to dispose of county property. The Commission left to inspect the chairs in the jury room.
9:28 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:58 AM Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager joined the meeting.
9:58 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanics
Updated on road and auto-gate maintenance. Bryan presented quotes for mini excavators; discussed purchasing a breaker for crushing concrete. Mitch and Carl updated on equipment maintenance; found tires for the 4-H enclosed trailer. Discussed moving one ambulance to the Sedan shed at the Road Department.
10:09 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:20 AM PUBLIC HEALTH BUDGET MEETING/ Kim Bryan, Public Health Director
Reviewed Public Health budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 with no changes at this time.
10:42 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:42 AM GOLF COURSE BUDGET MEETING/ Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent; John Didier, Seasonal Golf Course Superintendent
Reviewed Golf Course budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. Discussed prioritizing equipment that should be replaced.
10:55 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:15 WEED BUDGET/ Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator
Reviewed Weed budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 with no changes at this time.
11:16 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:30 AM BAKER RURAL FIRE DISTRICT BUDGET MEETING/ Tom Bruha, Baker Fire Chief; Baker Fire District Board Members
Randy Hoenke, Bryce Kramlick, Shaun Strangford, Fred Hoff and Vern Stark attended the meeting. Reviewed the Fire District budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. Discussed annual transfer for capital outlay projects. Reported on equipment maintenance.
11:48 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Discussion on Resolution to name an easement drive to Windy View Trail
Discussed keeping the current road name and adding a sign to the easement drive; DES does not recommend naming the drive Windy View Trail due to it being too similar to Windy View Road which would confuse emergency services.
2. Review Contract of Services for Tab Electronics
Reviewed exhibit A that was added to the contract.
3. Discussion on Resolution to adopt new planning fee schedule per the Planning Boards recommendation
Darcy will send a draft resolution to Desiree to review.
4. Review Survey Access Agreement for Bridger Pipeline LLC
Darcy will review the access agreement.
5. Old Business as needed
6. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation Update (IF NEEDED)
1:54 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:00 PM EMS UPDATES/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager
Presented on-call hours and call stats. Updated on upcoming EMS classes; switched to Pearson for more user-friendly learning instead of JB Learning. Permission is granted to pay instructors that assist with EMS classes. Discussed adding parking lot lines in front of the ambulance garage.
2:02 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 PM FAIRGROUNDS BUDGET MEETING/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager; Fair Board Members
Dale Butori attended the meeting. Reviewed the Fairgrounds budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. Discussed possibility of splitting sign with DES or obtaining grants.
2:44 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:45 PM BAKER CHAMBER BUDGET MEETING/ Alissa Miller, Executive Director; Shyla Hadly, Chamber Board President
The Chamber requested $25,000.00 to assist with wages for the Rec Department.
2:50 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:07 PM BAKER CEMETERY BUDGET MEETING/ Chanse Hoenke, Seasonal Baker Cemetery Caretaker
Reviewed Baker Cemetery budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 with no changes at this time.
3:11 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:15 PM PERMISSION FOR INTERNAL RECRUITMENT FOR A DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH/ Julie Straub, HRM
Discussed waiting until there is an official open position for the Director of Public Health.
DISCUSSION/DECISION ON MARKET ADJUSTMENTS
Presented market adjustments for non-lead and lead seasonals. Discussed stipends for several departments.
3:25 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:45 PM PLANNER & DES UPDATES/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator
Reported on recent trainings and meetings. Updated on Lower Dam EAP and Upper Dam inspections. Currently updated EOP Basic Plan for the County; LEPC will review the plan before recommending adoption to the Commission. Will be meeting with BNSF on planning program opportunities. Updated on GIS mapping for oilfields and well sights. RAVE test was completed. The Commission updated on Hanratty drive easement. Will draft resolution for planner fees and BLR regulations.
3:57 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
4:15 PM PLEVNA CEMETERY BUDGET MEETING/ Larry Dahl, Seasonal Plevna Cemetery Caretaker; Eileen Dahl, Seasonal Plevna Caretaker Assistant
Reviewed Plevna Cemetery budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 with no changes at this time.
4: PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
4:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve May 18-22, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve May 18-22, 2026 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve May 18th, 2026 Closed Session Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve May 18th, 2026 Closed Session Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision to adopt Resolution #1178 Amendment of Resolution #1177 to Declare Fallon County’s Intent to Purchase Real Property from the City of Baker
Commissioner Rost motioned to adopt Resolution #1178 Amendment of Resolution #1177. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion/Decision to adopt Resolution #1179 Appointing Election Judges
Commissioner Varner motioned to adopt Resolution #1179 Appointing Election Judges. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision on RDO Equipment Retail Purchase Order for Road Department excavator
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the RDO Equipment Retail Purchase Order for the amount of $176,200.00. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision on Survey Access Agreement for Bridger Pipeline LLC
Currently waiting for the County Attorney to review the Agreement.
e. Discussion/Decision on Airport Policy Terrorism Insurance Coverage
Commissioner Rost motioned to decline the Airport Policy Terrorism Insurance Coverage. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
f. Discussion/Decision on Parkview Retirement Complex Rental Agreement
Chairman Braun signed the agreement as of today.
4. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on designation for the FY27 Alcohol Tax funding
5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachment and approach permits/zoning compliance (as needed)
4:08 PMChairman Braun ended the discussion. There being no further business to come before the Commission, meeting is adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
