Commission Minutes – April 6-10, 2026
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 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.
9:30 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:44 AM DISCUSSION ON SCHEDULING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET MEETINGS/ Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
Discussed when to schedule budget meetings for departments; will begin budget meetings with departments the first week of June.
9:47 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Bryan updated on MACRs Conference and classes. Reported on road and driveway maintenance; discussed widening the s-curves on Coral Creek Road. Mitch presented a quote for a remote valve system that would be installed on the tanker; currently looking for other quotes for comparison. MDU fixed the power at the chlorine house and the pump was tested.
10:06 AM Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined the meeting.
Carl presented quotes for large-scale irrigation pumps that would be utilized for dam related emergencies and other county use; will gather quotes for hoses and irrigation pump quotes will be decided next week. Discussed size of pump needed for the lake and the upper dam.
1. Clarification on road specifications
Discussed maintaining main primary roads at a minimum of twenty-four feet wide. Discussed possible subdivisions that are accepted by resolution and driveways accepted by easement; would not need to be twenty-four feet wide. Once the road plat is finished, standards will be specified for primary roads, subdivisions and driveways through the Road Department. Updated on culvert installment for Johny Creek Trail.
10:28 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:28 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
1. Discussion/Decision on 6th Street RCBC Change Order #1
Contractor would like to do a cast-in-place box culvert versus a pre-cast box culvert; would like to start in May and would take approximately five weeks to complete. Cost would be reduced from $337,530.07 for a pre-cast box culvert to $294,250.45 for cast-in-place box culvert.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve Change Order #1 for the 6th Street RCBC. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Discussion/Decision Upper Dam Inspection/ Desiree Thielen, Planner/DES Coordinator, Janalee Ferrel, Sanitarian
Discussed who would manage annual dam inspections going forward. Currently working to combine both the upper and lower dam inspections for the next required five-year inspections. Discussed having Brosz Engineering doing the inspections going forward now that DNRC funding has expired. Desiree will complete yearly inspections going forward.
Commissioner Rost motioned to appoint Brosz Engineering to conduct the five-year inspection for the Upper Dam. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further business; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussed having the Sanitarian handling Lake Shore permits going forward. Updated on requirements from the Lower Dam Statement of Intent.
Golf course irrigation pump has been turned on and will begin pulling water from lagoon cell #3; will begin testing and set a schedule with the City for the chlorination tanks to be delivered.
10:52 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:52 AM PLANNER & DES COORDINATOR UPDATES/ Desiree Thielen, Planner/DES Coordinator
Reported on grants and trainings. Updated on trial run with emergency services using an exported GIS base layer for oilfield roads. Updated on RAVE Community Alert System meetings. Reported on recent full-scale training in Miles City; will discuss with the Sheriff’s Office if they would like to create an EOC. Updated on receiving a State Task Book for Dale Butori, MT DES District Field Officer; once completed, the State could deploy Desiree to other disaster emergency situations.
Desiree confirmed that her current years of service as Planner are enough to take the test to become a certified planner by the end of the year. Thanked the Commission for assisting with the addressing discussion. Windy View Road has been extended into Hanratty’s driveway and will be renamed to Windy View Trail by resolution. Updated on upcoming Planning Board meeting discussion items; planner fees and state mandated updates to the land use regulations on building for lease or rent. Discussed including road standards in the county subdivision regulations for developers and landowners.
11:07 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 Wassman
Darcy was unable to attend the meeting.
1.Review Public Health vaccine storage Memorandum of Understanding
2. Review Court’s Notice of Division of O’Donnell plat
3. Old Business as needed
4. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation (IF NEEDED)
2:00 PM EMEDA UPDATES/ Karol Zachmann, EMEDA Treasurer
1.Discuss/Decision on EMEDA Monthly Claims
Discussed process of approving claims with the current three members on the EMEDA Board; will be advertising encouragement to join the EMEDA Board in both the newspaper and radio. The Commission reminded Karol that board minutes must be turned into the Clerk & Recorders Office within thirty days after they are approved. Updated on the daycare; currently working on rent for the daycare that is operating in the building.
2:10 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:30 PM Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator and Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
2:30 PM MSU EXTENSION UPDATES/ Larry Brence, Eastern Regional Department Head
The Extension Agent position has been advertised but no applications have been submitted. Discussed options to temporarily fill the position; Larry Brence and a liaison from Sidney will assist with fair. Sara reported on Madi Butori, Administrative Assistant’s progress; will discuss continuing the administrative position at a later date.
2:35 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:44 PM PERMISSION TO RECRUIT JUSTICE OF PEACE CLERK/ Julie Straub, HRM; Judge Anna K. Straub, Justice of Peace
Judge Straub reported on Theresa Myers’ request for leave without pay; will discuss further with Theresa in order to evaluate time.
2:49 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:52 PM DISCUSSION MICROFILM FEES/ Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk; Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
Cindy presented a quote from US Imaging for microfilming. Company that is currently being used no longer provide archival treatment for microfilms. Discussed size difference of the microfilm rolls; it would possibly take a year to fill an entire roll. US Imaging also digitized all of the Clerk & Recorder records around 2011.
2:56 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:56 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. MACo Insurance Update – Conference Call/ MACo Representatives
Pam reported on Fallon County rates being updated and new rates are lower. Will review rates and submit updated contributions.
2. Approve March 30-April 3, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the March 30 – April 3, 2026 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Chairman Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on Archiving Microfilm Quote/Payment Terms
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the US Imaging archiving microfilm quote for the amount of $442.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Chairman Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion/Decision on Eastern Montana Drug Task Force MOU
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Eastern Montana Drug Task Force Memorandum of Understanding. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Chairman Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision on Action for Eastern Montana Letter of Support
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Action for Eastern Montana Letter of Support. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Chairman Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision of acceptance for Notice of Award for the Strengthening Public Health Workforce Task Order
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Notice of Award for the Strengthening Public Health Workforce Task Order. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Chairman Braun asked for any further discussion; the grant assists with paying for the Public Director’s wages. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on Agreement for the provision of School Health Services
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Agreement for the provision of School Health Services. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Chairman Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion/Decision on Commissioner Deeds for the Plevna Rural Fire District
There was no discussion at this time.
c. Discussion/Decision on Producer of Record of Fallon County for Montana State Fund
Commissioner Rost motioned to appoint Jade Boggs, Insurance Store as the Producer of Record of Fallon County for Montana State Fund. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Chairman Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision to Adopt Resolution 1176 Amending FY26 Weed Budget
Commissioner Varner motioned to adopt Resolution 1176 Amending FY26 Weed Budget. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Chairman Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Approve March 2026 Payroll & Withholdings
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the March 2026 Payroll & Withholdings in the amount of $711,104.93. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Chairman Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3:34 PM PUBLIC HEALTH & COMMUNITY HEALTH UPDATES/ Kim Bryan, Public Health Nurse; Kassidy Maierhofer, Community Health Worker
Kassidy presented an annual report on current client participation; updated on newsletter and newspaper articles. Discussed budget items that the Community Health Worker position is in need of; will need to start advertising for the position sometime in April.
Kim has sent a Memorandum of Understanding to the County Attorney for review in regards to utilizing Fallon Medical Complex’s locked fridge and freezer during power outages and will have the Courthouse as the second back up. Discussed the Pathways accreditation deadline and upcoming events.
3:43 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
COMMISSION WORK SESSION CONTINUED
6. Approve March 2026 End of Month Claims
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the March 2026 End of Month Claims for the amount of $108,839.02. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Chairman Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
7. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
3:58 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was recessed until Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
RECESS
TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026
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 PRAIRIE HILLS RECOVERY UPDATES/ Kayla Anderson, CEO
Kayla updated on the last quarter of mental health and substance abuse services provided to Fallon County; updated on 2024 and 2025 services. Reported on downsizing her practice; Tracy Goerndt will continue her own practice and will take over the alcohol tax money. Discussed the last two quarters of alcohol tax payments.
2:38 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:00 PM CEMETERY UPDATES/ Chanse Hoenke, Baker Seasonal Cemetery Caretaker
Chance reported on cemetery and vehicle maintenance. Discussed purchasing mowers that were budgeted for; will bring updated quotes.
2:06 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 PM FALLON MEDICAL COMPLEX UPDATES/ David Espeland, CEO; Marjorie Losing, CFO
Marjorie reported on February financials. The third-party patient financing company has notified that they will no longer be accepting new applications from clients after April 3rd; currently trying to find a replacement for clients. Currently redoing the billing and collection policy.
2:29 PM David joined the meeting.
David reported on repairs needed for the hospital roof after the wind storms; will contact local contractors. Updated on completed renovations; requested a warranty letter from Sletten to repair clinic stairs. The Commission was invited to attend the opening ceremony for the new lift. David thanked the Commission for allowing Fallon Medical to participate in the insurance discussion. David reported on the hospital board advertising for the CEO position in the near future. Discussed licensing for Long-Term Care; does not require specific licensing for nursing homes.
2:42 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:44 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION CONTINUED (IF NEEDED)
a. Discussion/Decision on Commissioner Deeds for the Plevna Rural Fire District
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Commissioner Deeds for the Plevna Rural Fire District. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:45 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
