Commission Minutes – August 10-14, 2026
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Vice Chairman and Mandi Varner, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman
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
George Bailey, Berry van Hoof and Christian Hirsch joined the meeting. Introduced EMFASE company and goal for setting up workforce housing manufacturing within Montana; currently looking at locations in or around Bozeman.
Jon Slagter, member of the public joined the meeting. Stated that he has officially resigned from the Fallon County Planning Board. Discussed recent planning board meeting. Implementing emergency zoning will convert the Planning Board into a zoning board. Expressed disinterest in updating the Growth Policy to allow the option of zoning within the county.
Jim Leischner, Shoot Range Supervisor and Josh Lewis, IT Director joined the meeting. Reported on the current gate situation; Josh was able to repair the gate but had a concerning conversation with the company that installed the gate where they stated that certain parts were supposedly installed but were not found. Discussed reviewing the invoice to see if missing parts were charged and paid for.
9:34 AM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
9:34 AM PERMISSION TO HIRE EMT/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Stephanie Crisler as an EMT. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
9:36 AM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
9:36 AM PERMISSION TO UTILIZE THE GOLF COURSE FOR A CROSS COUNTRY MEET/ Aaron Skogen, Baker Schools Superintendent; Derrick VanZee, Athletic Director
Derrick was unable to attend the meeting. Requested to utilize the course on Thursday, September 10th starting at 10:00 AM.
9:37 AM Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent joined the meeting.
Discussed set up and number of students running. Discussed greens being off limits and notifying the Country Club. Permission granted.
9:38 AM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
9:44 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON SHOP FOREMAN POSITION FOR THE ROAD DEPARTMENT/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Julie Straub, HRM
Requested to change Carl Overland’s job description to a Shop Foreman now that another mechanic has been hired. Discussed the Road Superintendent remaining the supervisor of the Shop Foreman; Road Foreman would be acting supervisor when the Road Superintendent is absent. Requesting an additional $0.50 for the first six months and another additional $0.50 after a year for the Shop Foreman.
Commissioner Varner motioned to promote Carl Overland to the position of Shop Foreman. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; will receive an additional $0.50/hour for the first six months, will be effective immediately. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
9:49 AM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ATTEND BRIDGER PIPELINE EXPANSION COOPERATORS MEETING – ZOOM MEETING/ BLM Representatives & Cooperators
The Commission and Mayor Zachmann attended the Cooperators Meeting via zoom.
10:30 AM DISCUSSION ON PLANNING BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION TO UPDATE THE FALLON COUNTY GROWTH POLICY/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator; Fallon County Planning Board Members
Vaughn Zenko, Cindy Irgens, Lisa Espeland, Planning Board Members; and Mayor Zachmann joined the meeting. Updating the Growth Policy allows for more public input on whether they are interested in zoning or not. Discussed possibility of contracting out update or having the board complete the update to cut costs. Discussed wording for industrial regulations; will discuss further with Darcy and Forrest Sanderson. Discussed effect of development regulations on the City of Baker and the Town of Plevna; regulations could affect both industrial and residential growth. Could reach out to engineers on the County procurement to gauge if the timeline and cost are worth the effort. Desiree recommends keeping the update in house; could use the scope of work as a guideline. Request for Proposals should be returned a week before the next Planning Board meeting in order to make a decision on contracting out or keeping in house.
10:56 AM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
11:00 AM FALLON MEDICAL COMPLEX UPDATES/ David Espeland, CEO; Marjorie Losing, CFO
Marjorie presented interim financials for the month of June; will be presenting the audit packet at next month’s update. David presented a draft Request for Qualifications for Architectural and Engineering Services for procurement; discussed combining county and hospital procurement process. Updated on chiller maintenance; has been shutting down when temperatures drop in the night. Reported on air conditioning maintenance. Updated on elevator maintenance; discussing with Montana Health Network on resolving Otis elevator maintenance contract. Updated on generator fuel tank failing recently and DEQ requiring repairs; will evaluate converting the generator to natural gas to eliminate the fuel tanks. Still in communications with the manufacturing company to repair the hospital roof.
11:32 PM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Vice Chairman and Mandi Varner, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Barb Ketterling, Treasurer; Julie Post, Deputy Treasurer; Heidi Heid, Clerk; and Josh Lewis, IT Director joined the meeting. Discussed moving the courthouse ATM out to the fairgrounds during the fair. Member of the public currently has two ATMs out at the fairgrounds; currently there is no vendor contract in place and the county does not receive a percentage.
1:22 PM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Discussion/Decision on Debt Recovery Agreement for the Ambulance receivables/ Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
Discussed overdue accounts being sent to collections after Commission’s prior decision. Discussed implementing an accounts receivable policy for ambulance services; discussed statute of limitations for collecting. Debt Recovery Agreement could be revised to a three-year contract with no autorenewal. Discussed Gold Cross billing system. Brenda will contact collections and put a hold on the request if that option is still available. Discussed creating a program for a payment plan or hardship application; will ask Gold Cross if they offer payment plans.
2. Review Resolution granting statutory authority to the County Sanitarian
Discussed draft resolution; will send to all involved parties for review and signatures.
3. Old Business as needed
Discussed Planning Boards recommendation to amend the existing Growth Policy; Desiree will research scope of work and cost before a decision will be made.
4. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation Update (IF NEEDED)
2:01 PM Vice Chairman Rost closed the session.
2:04 PM Vice Chairman Rost opened the session; no decisions were made.
2:04 PM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
2:13 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve August 3-7, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve August 3-7, 2026 Commission Minutes. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
2. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on Planning Board’s recommendation to direct the Planning Board to amend the existing Growth Policy
Desiree will put together a task order/ Request for Proposals for engineers.
b. Discussion/Decision to designate FY25-26 fourth quarter alcohol tax funds to Another Chance Recovery
Commissioner Varner motioned to designate FY25-26 fourth quarter alcohol tax funds to Another Chance Recovery. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
c. Discussion/Decision on Hangar Use Agreement
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Hangar Use Agreement for Crescent Cross Aviation LLC. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
d. Discussion/Decision on Fetal, Infant, Child & Maternal Mortality Review and Prevention Team Memorandum of Understanding and Operational Plan
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Fetal, Infant, Child & Maternal Mortality Review and Prevention Team Memorandum of Understanding and Operational Plan. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on Great West Engineering Task Order No. 2 for landfill staking
Currently waiting for updated task order.
b. Discussion/Decision on assistance with Plevna road repairs
Commissioner Varner reviewed the Plevna roads with Gary Thielen, Town of Plevna Mayor; would like to add a couple more roads in need of repair; the County has already approved $70,000.00. Century will send a full spec sheet of the project.
Commissioner Varner motioned to contribute an additional $23,289.50 for the Plevna road project. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; total county contribution being $93,289.50; the Town of Plevna will be contributing an additional $5,000.00 for a total of $135,000.00 to the project. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachment and approach permits/zoning compliance (as needed)
2:19 PM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
2:53 PM MACo HEALTH CARE TRUST WORK SESSION/ Debbie Wyrick, Marjorie Losing & Troy Hess, Insurance Committee; MACo Representatives
Pam Walling and Vera Peterson, MACo Representatives joined the meeting. Updated on Plan Performance Reviewed January rates and average rate changes. Reviewed MACo Standard Tiers and Alternate Tier sheets.
4:04 PM Being as there is no further business to come before the Commission, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
4:00 PM INSURANCE COMMITTEE WORK SESSION/ Debbie Wyrick, Marjorie Losing & Troy Hess, Insurance Committee
This meeting has been rescheduled.
5:00 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION CONTINUED (IF NEEDED)
There was no meeting at this time.
s/ Roy Rost, Vice Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
