Commission Minutes-August 25 – August 29, 2025
MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2025
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
Kalyn Bohle joined the meeting. Discussed if the County really wanted to close the old Gatzke pit; the pit would have to be surveyed and re-permitted. Updated on Runway Trail needing resurfaced with scoria. Discussed putting a ‘no outlet’ sign at the end of his driveway for hunters. Will discuss further with the Road Department on how to proceed with the pit.
9:45 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:45 AM PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES/ Kim Bryan, Director of Public Health
Updated on progress with the new Temporary Community Health Worker. Reported on the Sun Bus event; will try to schedule for two days next time they come. Reported on pre-orders for COVID-19 and flu shots which should arrive sometime this week.
1. PERMISSION TO APPLY TO BE A COUNSELOR DESIGNATED ORGANIZATION FOR THE CDO PROGRAM WITH THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS)
Reported on the State wanting Health Departments to become designated counselors and certified assistors with Medicare and Medicaid; application requires the Commissions’ consent. Will have the whole Health Department become certified. Permission granted.
9:56 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Reported on installing the gate valve for the golf course. Started laying scoria for Cabin Creek Loop Road. There was a gas leak in the shop. Reported on driveway and alley repairs. Discussed gravel and scoria pits; Bryan recommends closing the Gatzke pit being there is already an open pit in that area. Discussed final repairs for sending the pig launcher down the irrigation line on Wednesday. Discussed extending culverts on Johny Creek Trail. Carl and Mitch reported on equipment and vehicle maintenance; discussed repairing the radiator on the Fire Warden’s vehicle and mounting a water tank to the larger mower.
10:16 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
Updated on preliminary plans for Ismay Road South; will meet with Southeast Electric to discuss raising the electric poles. Discussed impacted fencing along the road; will stake out the road before moving forward. Will have to remove a tree, install a cattleguard and culverts. Updated on progress with the golf course irrigation line; Rich reported on total coliform testing. Reported on Noll’s gravel pit. Discussed possibly permitting the lagoon water for spraying roads. Reviewed process for leaving chlorine in the irrigation line.
11:04 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:00 AM PERMISSION TO USE THE GOLF COURSE FOR CROSS COUNTRY MEETS/ Aaron Skogen, Baker High School Superintendent; Bill Brist, Baker High School Athletic Director
Discussed having a Cross-Country Meet at the golf course on September 20th; will set up navigation tape to keep people and chairs off of the greens. Will send out letters before and during the meet to advise on golf course etiquette. Discussed hosting a golf course tournament for next spring as well; will ask again closer to April.
11:15 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:15 AM MUSEUM UPDATES/ Vaughn Zenko, Museum Curator
Updated on museum visitors, exhibits and hosted meetings. PBS videoed parts of the museum for the Backroads of Montana show. Reported on upcoming school activities and other events.
1. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON DIRECT ELECTRIC QUOTE FOR EXHIBIT LIGHTING
The safety inspection from the Department of Labor recommended removing several extension cords.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Direct Electric quote for the amount of $2,100.28. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
11:26 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. Miles City Airport Agreement
Reviewed the changes that Miles City Airport submitted. Discussed the security for the space that will be leased.
2. Easement & Right of Way Agreement with Bracket Butte Ranch
Discussed easement that the Pinnow’s are requesting to have with Fallon County in order for the TV Board to have access to the top of Bracket Butte. Currently the County has a building and equipment at the top of Bracket Butte.
3. Review draft Settlement for the Thielen’s
Reviewed the rough draft of the settlement for the Thielen’s. Discussed lack of appraisers in the area; discussed examples as a starting point of discussion. Presented a draft grant of easement. Discussed process and resources of the suit if the Thielen’s were to file. Darcy will present the draft settlement and easement to the Thielen’s and their attorney; the County is not committed to the draft settlement and easement.
4. Old business as needed
There was no discussion at this time.
1:59 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:00 PM SHOOTING RANGE UPDATES/ Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Manager
Jim reported on a recent incident caused by the slippery floor. Discussed applying gritted paint to the cement on the last fifty feet of the indoor range. Will present a quote at a later date. Reported on the range cleanup with the game wardens. Discussed removing the old bleachers and replacing the fobs for the gun range.
2:16 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 PM PERMISSION TO HIRE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN/ Brittany Veal, EMS Program Manager; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Bridget Schwartz as an Emergency Medical Technician. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:18 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:27 PM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON EXTENDING POLICY #3.09/ Julie Straub, HRM
Reviewed policy #3.09. Discussed whether to extend the policy or make it permanent.
Commissioner Rost motioned to extend policy #3.09 for one year. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:36 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:45 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve August 18-22, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve August 18-22, 2025 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Budget Review/ Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
Discussed including Ismay Road South to the Road budget. Discussed Capital Improvements, DES/Planner, Sheriff, 911/Dispatch, Human Resources and Cemetery budgets.
3. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on adding Verizon vehicle tracking to the Traverse
Commissioner Rost motioned to allow adding the Traverse to the Verizon vehicle tracking plan. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion/Decision on quotes for an AC Unit at the Plevna Tower
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Straub Heating & Cooling quote for the amount of $4,086.00. 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 Catalyst for Change Amendment to Agreement
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Amended Agreement as is. 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 Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program Grant Agreement
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the grant agreement. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on Roddy M. Rost Easement
Currently waiting for the landowner to return the easement.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
2:56 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business; meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025
ATTEND MONTANA PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING – BILLINGS, MT
1:30PM – ATTEND FALLON MEDICAL COMPLEX RENOVATIONS PRE-BID WALKTHROUGH
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2025
ATTEND MONTANA PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING – BILLINGS, MT
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
