Commission Minutes – April 20-24, 2026
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 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.
9:15 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:45 AM IT UPDATES/ Josh Lewis, IT Director
1. Approval of lodging rate higher than Resolution #1172
Hotel for upcoming Conference in Helena has higher government rates than is preapproved in Resolution #1172; higher lodging rates approved. Discussed amending resolution to follow new rates.
9:48 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:51 AM CITY OF BAKER UPDATES/ Steve Zachmann, City of Baker Mayor
Reported on survey for Triangle Park; recommended forgoing the survey which is estimated to be about $10,000.00 and doing a quit claim for the park instead. Will discuss further with the County Attorney but the Commission prefers having a Certificate of Survey for the park. Discussed splitting the survey being as it assists both the County and the City. The City would like to relieve the nearby residents in the area of the park of May payment for the SID 34 & 35; the County would schedule public hearings in the next upcoming weeks. Will discuss the survey with Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering and the Department of Revenue.
10:00 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Bryan reported on road and driveway maintenance for Dance Hall Road, Water Hole Trail and Mink Trail; updated on Anticline Road, Cabin Creek Loop and Sandstone Road auto-gates and road maintenance. Discussed Lame Jones Cemetery approach; will check if it needs a culvert for drainage. Discussed putting in an article for Kendall Sieler and the awards he received at MACRs; grader, backhoe, loader and overhaul awards. Will hang the plaques in the lobby. Discussed building an approach near the Catholic Cemetery in Plevna; waiting for the landowner to fill out an approach permit. Updated on cemetery assistance; start a pile of topsoil at the old landfill for the cemetery. Will request quotes for crushed scoria. Mitch reported on ordering a hard-wired valve for the tanker for about $1,300.00. Currently working on an end-dump; will have to take the injector to RDO to be programmed. Carl updated on Senior Bus maintenance. Need to replace steering valve in chipper for about $3,700.00.
10:13 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:15 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON REPLACING THE LIBRARY AC UNIT/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodian Supervisor
Discussed replacing the backup compressor for the library air conditioning unit; the unit has been working on one compressor for a few years. Will leave amount in the budget and replace it after it breaks.
10:21 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:25 AM EMS UPDATES/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager
Presented March on-call stats.
1. Discussion/Decision on hosting an EMR class and registration costs
Currently have three individuals interested in the EMR class. Discussed how much to charge for EMR class and registration costs. Will set the amount to $150.00, which would be reimbursed if the individual passes the EMR test. Classes will start around May 11th or May 18th.
2. Discussion on EMR wages
Will discuss wages for an EMR at budget time.
10:30 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:00 AM PLANNER & DES UPDATES/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator; Dale Butori, MT DES District Field Officer
Desiree reported on DNRC Dam Safety offering Fallon County a grant to revamp the EAP for the Upper and Lower Dam; would contract with Morrison-Maierle to do full coverage work. Also offered an inspection assistance program for the Upper Dam; will add both to next week’s work session. Dale stated he will begin annual visits for his district. Dale updated on Desiree’s interest in emergency planning; currently has a task book that Desiree is working on to become an all-hazard Planning Section Chief. Recommends further training and deployment to events outside of the county. Reported on recent district exercise that Desiree and Mindi attended; simulated a flooding situation and a hazmat incident. Updated on possible state-wide emergency notification system. EMPG grant is currently on hold until the government shutdown ends and FEMA allows the money to be passed to the counties.
11:14 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:30 AM SMART UPDATES/ Katie Miller, SMART Executive Director
Reported on recent foot and social media traffic. License plate has been submitted for MDT to approve. Reported on grants and strategic planning. Updated on recent convention and upcoming events for main street.
1. Discussion/Decision on Tourism Photography Project Letter of Support
Updated on artist that would come out to take photos of outdoor recreation in the surrounding area.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the letter of support for the Tourism Photography Project. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Presented Byways Report on tourism/road trips for Eastern Montana.
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, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Mandi Varner, Member
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. Review Public Health vaccine storage Memorandum of Understanding
Reviewed drafted MOU with Fallon Medical Complex to store vaccines in secured fridge and freezers. The Commission does not believe it is necessary to have a MOU with the courthouse. Will send to Fallon Medical Complex for review.
2. Review Master County Contract with DPHHS
Reviewed Master County Contract with DPHHS; will complete edits requested by DPHHS
3. Review Court’s Notice of Division of O’Donnell Plat
Discussed settlement agreement that required notification to the local government.
4. Discussion on Contract of Services for Tab Electronics
Discussed whether a Contract of Services is required with several departments utilizing their services; will discuss further with Desiree to create a Memorandum of Understanding for set fees.
5. Discussion on Resolution to rename roads – Windy View Road to Windy View Trail
Discussed renaming the Windy View Road now that the road dead ends into a driveway.
6. Discussion/Decision on Susan Swimley continuing to co-counsel
Discussed meeting with Cal Stacey to see if they would request Susan Swimley’s assistance on the case; currently have not had any updates regarding the case.
7. Old Business as needed
Discussed cleaning up the red-lined fair contract before signing and recording. Will retype the Addendum and request the entertainment agency to sign the clean copy.
1:50 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:58 PM PERMISSION TO HIRE SEASONAL CEMETERY CREW HAND/ Chanse Hoenke, Seasonal Cemetery Caretaker; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Rost motioned to hire Alex Loutzenhiser as a Seasonal Cemetery Crew Hand. 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.
PERMISSION TO HIRE SEASONAL GOLF COURSE GROUNDS CREW HANDS/ Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent
Commissioner Rost motioned to hire Clint Townsend, Iva Setinc and Kaydee Dyke as Seasonal Golf Course Crew Hands. 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.
2:01 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 PM PERMISSION TO HAVE A POTENTIAL ENTERTAINER PERFORM AT THE MUSEUM/ Vaughn Zenko, Museum Curator
Matt Axton reached out to the museum and asked to perform in front of the old jail on July 22nd; would potentially turn into a street dance. Commission recommended asking the City for permission to close the street and having a vendor selling alcohol; permission granted to move forward if the City is okay with everything.
2:17 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:30 PM Larry Dahl called into the meeting
2:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve April 13-17, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve April 13-17, 2026 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 Gooseneck Implement quote for cemetery mower
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Gooseneck Implement quote for two mowers for the amount of $25,690.00. 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.
Permission granted to purchase a weed eater for the Plevna Cemetery.
b. Discussion/Decision on designation for the FY27 Alcohol Tax funding
Deadline for the decision is June 14th; will reach out to Tracey and the State regarding the designation.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on Capital Improvement Program Data Sheet for the airport
There was no discussion at this time.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
5. Approve April 2026 Mid-Month Claims
Commissioner motioned to approve the April 2026 Mid-Month Claims for the amount of $493,938.34. 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.
6. Insurance Work Session/ Insurance Committee
Reviewed corrected insurance rates for the next six months and for 2027. Discussed premiums; discussed starting slow with three plans before offering all six. Will create a comparison spread sheet of the different plan options to review later, can add more plan options after review; discussed deadline to submit the premiums for MACo and budgets. Reported on current medical and flex account management with Wells Fargo and EMBS during the eighteen-month transition period. Wellness plan will also have an eighteen-month transition period and restart January 1, 2027.
3:37 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Clerk
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
