Commission Minutes – June 22-26, 2026
MONDAY, JUNE 22, 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
Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder and Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator joined the meeting. Discussed trading issue with the John Deere Gator and Can-Am; do not have an original title for the John Deere to properly trade it off. Options are to pay an additional $4,000.00 and keep the Gator or part it out so Platinum Motors can take it. Discussed selling the Gator in an auction as is without a title.
9:06 AM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
9:08 AM Chairman Braun joined the meeting.
9:15 AM DISCUSSION ON THE UPPER DAM OPERATION & MAINTENANCE/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator; Steve Zachmann, City of Baker Mayor
Inspection has been scheduled for Monday, July 13th; Road Department will mow the Upper Dam for inspection. Discussed who is responsible for the operations and maintenance for the Upper Dam; presented chronology research. There is no interlocal agreement in the County’s files between the County and City stating responsibilities. Discussed process of combining Upper and Lower Dam inspections through the Emergency Action Plan. The Director of Public Works will continue to report to the Planner when the upper dam gate is opened.
9:30 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:52 AM SANITARIAN UPDATES/ Janalee Ferrell, Sanitarian
Presented educational information from the State in regards to algae blooms. Discussed septic permits. Discussed the Montana Food Choice Act and assisting producers of home product; cannot sell home products in a licensed retail store. Will discuss further with Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney. Discussed process of addressing complaints on junk vehicles.
9:59 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland, Shop Mechanic
Bryan reported on chip and seal projects and mowing. Graveling hill and intersection at Valley View Trail. Discussed an interlocal/maintenance agreement with landowners for maintaining the channel. Discussed mowing the Upper Dam for the upcoming inspection. Discussed spots on Johny Creek Trail. being only twenty feet wide; was waiting for a side-dump and will ask Siversons’ to utilize dirt. Carl reported on equipment and vehicle maintenance. Discussed advertising open Mechanic position.
10:15 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:15 AM Commissioner Rost left the meeting to attend the MACo District Meeting in Helena.
10:15 AM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
10:15 AM PERMISSION TO RECRUIT FOR THE LEAD CREW HAND POSITION/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager
Discussed opening recruitment for ten days
10:21 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:30 AM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve June 8-12, 2026 Commission Minutes
2. Approve June 11, 2026 Closed Session Commission Minutes
3. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on fair contract
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Midway West Carnival Contract for the amount for $3,500.00. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost)
b. Discussion/Decision on Morrison Maierle Proposal for Engineering Services for the Upper Dam 5-year inspection
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Morrison Maierle Proposal. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost)
c. Discussion/Decision on DPHHS Immunization Program Task Order
d. Discussion/Decision on 7F Services Agreement for 6th Street box culvert project
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the 7F Services Agreement. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost)
e. Discussion/Decision on EMPG Subrecipient Certification of Compliance
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the EMPG Subrecipient Certification of Compliance. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost)
f. Discussion/Decision on Obligating Document for Award for the Emergency Management Performance Grant
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Obligating Document for Award for the EMPG. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost)
g. Discussion/Decision on MTI quote for repairing the hospital HVAC Unit
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the MTI repair quote for the amount of $24,500.00. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost)
h. Discussion/Decision on cost-of-living adjustment recommended by the Salary Commission for elected officials
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Salary Commission’s recommendation of 2.3% or $0.89 cost of living adjustment for all elected officials. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost)
i. Discussion/Decision on Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Addendum to MOU
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Addendum to MOU. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost)
4. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on 2023 John Deere Gator
Will keep the 2021 John Deere Gator being as the County can not trade it without a title. Will sell it at auction as is and without a title.
Commissioner Varner motioned to keep the 2021 John Deere Gator. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; will pay Platinum Sports the $4,000.00 from the Weed grant fund. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost)
5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachment and approach permits/zoning compliance (as needed)
11:11 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:15 AM DISPATCH UPDATES/ Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Supervisor
911 upgrades are currently ahead of schedule.
1. Discussion/Decision on Zetron switches quote
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Tab Electronics quote for the amount of $5,999.12. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; quotes must have complete installation, hardware and labor included. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost)
Reported on RAVE Alert system and RIMs training.
11:21 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:27 AM Jaime Shanks, Community Development Specialist joined the meeting.
11:30 AM EPEDC UPDATES/ Terra Burman, EPEDC Executive Director
Terra reported on applying for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) grant through Prairie County; presented a Memorandum of Understanding to participate in the strategic planning document. Reported on ARPA grant closing for the Town of Plevna lagoon project. Updated on events and programs held in Fallon County.
11:47 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Mandi Varner, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Roy Rost, Member – Attending MACo District Meeting in Helena, MT
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Discussed moving the courthouse ATM to the exhibit hall during fair; the ATM will remain in the courthouse.
1:28 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation Update/ Calvin Stacey, Stacey & Funyak Law Firm; Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff; Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent
No decision was made while in closed session.
2. Discussion on Resolution to adopt new planning fee schedule per the Planning Boards recommendation
Discussed if the Planning Board or the Commission hold the public hearing; the Commission will set up a public hearing for adopting the recommended Planning Fees
3. Discussion/Decision on Resolution to Purchase the Real Property from the City of Baker
Reviewed the Resolution to Purchase the Real Property.
4. Review Resolution granting statutory authority to the County Sanitarian
Currently working on draft resolution.
5. Old Business as needed
Reviewed EPEDC MOU and Landowner Agreement for channel maintenance.
2:29 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:29 PM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON MARKET ADJUSTMENTS FOR SEVERAL POSITIONS/ Julie Straub, HRM; Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
Requested increases for seasonal crew hand and lead positions; Intermittent Airport Facilities Assistant Manager; Emergency Communications Dispatch Supervisor/911 Coordinator for 911 duties; Intermittent Museum Assistant; election judges; Recording Clerk stipend; Intermittent Deputies; Community Health Worker; creating an Outside Maintenance Facilities Manager stipend for duties at Parkview; Human Resources Manager for managing the Safety Program. Discussed adjustments for election judges.
2:43 PM discussion put on hold, moved onto Permission to hire a Community Health Worker.
2:43 PM PERMISSION TO HIRE A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER/ Kim Bryan, Public Health Director; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Mindi Murnion as the 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 Rost)
2:44 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:44 PM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON MARKET ADJUSTMENTS FOR SEVERAL POSITIONS CONTINUED/ Julie Straub, HRM; Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
The following market adjustments were approved; starting at the July pay period:
$0.35 per hour increase for all seasonals/leads
$0.75 per hour increase for intermittent deputies
$0.25 per hour increase for the Emergency Communications Dispatch Supervisor/911 Coordinator
$0.35 per hour increase for the Intermittent Museum Aide
Update Recording Clerk stipend to $1.25 per hour; will revisit every fiscal year
All Community Health Worker wage steps; will revisit position if grant funding ends
Intermittent Airport Facilities Assistant Manager, Outside Maintenance Facilities Manager and Human Resources Manager will be revisited next week when Commissioner Rost is present.
2:55 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:56 PM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON JUNK VEHICLE BUDGET CORRECTION FOR FISCAL YEAR 25-26/ Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
The State is requesting a refund for the overdraft on the Junk Vehicle Budget due to the removal of a mobile home. Brenda will make adjustments to the claim per the Auditor’s recommendation.
DISCUSSION/DECISION ON UPDATING THE PROCUREMENT POLICY
The Commission agreed to raise the procurement policy; permission will be required for any purchases above the amount of $3,000.00. Will re-evaluate next fiscal year.
2:59 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:02 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION CONTINUED
1. Approve June 8-12, 2026 Commission Minutes
2. Approve June 11, 2026 Closed Session Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve June 8-12, 2026 Commission Minutes and the June 11, 2026 Closed Session 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 Rost)
3. Executive Decisions
c. Discussion/Decision on DPHHS Immunization Program Task Order
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the DPHHS Immunization Program Task Order. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost)
3:03 PM Being as there is no further business to come before the Commission, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
