Commission Minutes – August 31 – September 4, 2026
MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members; Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
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
Robert Thielen joined the meeting; discussed weeds on the land owned by the Keystone Marketlink/Universal. Robert did not get hold of Sara but asked who contacted Bridger about spraying that property. Commission, doing their due diligence, contacted Bridger regarding the property they are planning to purchase. Bridger stated they would take care of the property.
9:06 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:16 AM PERMISSION TO HIRE AN EMR/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Lloyd (Morgan) Dawson as an EMR for the Fallon County Ambulance Service. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
9:17 AM PERMISSION TO RECRUIT A PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR/ Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Rost motioned to recruit a Public Health Director. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
9:18 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion
9:28 AM GIS ROAD PLAT WORK SESSION/ Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk & Road/Land Researcher
Cindy presented research from the West half of Section 24, Township 4 North, Range 58 East; currently researching road back to patent to determine road name for 911 addressing.
9:29 Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator joined the meeting.
Discussed break in the road; Desiree would like to visit with the landowner for giving Emergency Easement. Discussed changing landowners address.
9:34 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:40 AM Tom Bruha, Baker Rural Chief and Ken Griffith, Stacey and Bruce Moore, members of the public joined the meeting. Kady York, Brosz Engineering called into the meeting.
9:45 AM BONE PILE MINOR SUBDIVISION PRELIMINARY REVIEW/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator; Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
Reviewed changes made to the Bone Pile Minor Subdivision Preliminary Review; removed county road use agreement condition, engineering drainage/utility conditions. Fire protection language was revised; Desiree recommended the Commission maintain the standard per the adopted subdivision regulations and not approve a variance for the flow of the fire hydrant. Will follow up with the City to determine if the Bonnievale line can be turned on to maintain the hydrant flow for the subdivision. Discussed County Emergency Access Easement for the subdivision and fire hydrant system meeting requirements. Discussed lots in the subdivision that require DEQ storm water review
1. Discussion/Decision on Bone Pile Preliminary Minor Subdivision
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve Staff Report PPR-0813 as finding the facts. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Bone Pile Minor Subdivision subject to the proposed conditions stated in Staff Report PPR-0813. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
10:10 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:12 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland, Shop Foreman
Reported on driveway and autogate maintenance, mowing and bid process for new blades. Presented skid steer (track machine) quotes for the Fairgrounds; could be utilized by other departments as well. State is asking if Bridge 08050 on Westmore Road going over Sandstone Creek has been condemned as it is currently closed; bridge will be removed and signage will be added. Discussed county cattleguard policy; the County does not purchase cattleguards for driveways but will install if the landowner purchases a cattleguard for their personal driveways. Bryan has received a formal letter of retirement from Mark Sieler; will possibly receive another letter of retirement. Discussed recruitment for operators. Finished chip sealing. Will be sending operators to the Snow Rodeo again this year. Finished mowing creek channel; discussed clearing out the sediment from the creek channel in the winter. Discussed Lame Jones culvert maintenance and surfacing for Duck Creek Road; Bryan will check on both roads. Discussed road maintenance for Plevna Road South and Division. Carl reported on equipment and vehicle maintenance.
10:33 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:37 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
Discussed finalizing first draft of the Road Plat. Discussed Valley Road in Section 24, Township 4 North, Range 58 East. Reported on submitting files to Morrison-Maierle for the lake projects; currently waiting for Triangle Park survey. Discussed the County currently having a permit to mow and for minor dredging in the creek channel; would need to apply for an additional permit to place liners in the creek channel. NRCS is funding mitigation projects for the channel and box culverts. Updated on 6th Street SW box culvert project; pre-construction meeting will be scheduled before project official begins. Discussed wetland delineation process the for a permit to place liners in the channel; could apply with 2017 delineation plan but may have to be updated for permit to be approved.
10:59 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:00 AM BUDGET HEARING FY26-27/ Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
No one appeared for the Budget Hearing.
11:32 Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:30 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON JUNK VEHICLE PROGRAM/ Janalee Ferrell, Sanitarian
No meeting at this time.
11:54 AM REVIEW GEO-TECH PROJECT FOR 5-YEAR LOWER DAM INSPECTION/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator; Benjamin J. Cope, Morrison-Maierle
Benjamin called into the meeting. Reviewed proposed geotechnical evaluation quote for the Lower Baker Dam. Discussed planning grant through DNRC that could cover a portion up to $75,000 for high hazard dam analysis report; discussed FEMA Dam condition rating-grant for high hazard dams with poor ratings. Currently the condition rating of the Lower Baker Dam is satisfactory; DNRC is open to changing the classification if it opens up grant opportunities for remaining items on the 5-Year Lower Dam Inspection.
12:08 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Mandi Varner, Member; Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
ABSENT: Roy Rost, Member – Attended MPA Meeting in Billings, MT
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Steve Zachmann, City of Baker Mayor joined the meeting. Discussed maintenance to the creek channel; per the maintenance agreement with the State, trees in the channel are to be cut down. Discussed future project to line the channel. The City has completed fencing around the wastewater lagoon; also installed hay ground access for surrounding landowner.
1:25 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:32 PM Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator joined the meeting.
1:32 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Review spillway easements for landowners
Discussed access easements to the spillway; would like to verify the County’s ownership of the channel.
2. Discussion on extraterritorial zoning research
The Planning Board will be meeting to discuss recommendations for extraterritorial zoning. Discussed who would manage the extraterritorial zoning after the City initiates the process per statute; an agreement could be created between the City and the County, giving the County the responsibility to manage the extraterritorial zoning.
3. Review amended road resolutions for 911 addressing
Currently drafting amended road resolutions.
1:48 PM Desiree Thielen left the meeting.
4. Old Business as needed
Will add amending the Parkview Rental Agreement.
5. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation Update (IF NEEDED)
1:50 PM Chairman Braun closed the session.
1:58 PM Chairman Braun opened the session; no decisions were made.
2:09 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:18 PM Heidi Heid, Clerk joined the meeting.
2:18 PM DISCUSSION ON COUNTY ATM/ Barb Ketterling, Treasurer
Discussed the fairgrounds having its own ATM all year round for events. No Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the current provider to house ATMs at the fairgrounds. Discussed creating a secured area for loading and unloading the money during the fair or other events. Reported on pop machine usage; will discuss removing pop machine next week during the Commission work session.
2:26 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:35 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve August 24-28, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve August 24-28, 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 Rost). Motion carried.
2. Approve August 24th, 2026 Closed Commission Minutes
Closed Minutes were not available at this time.
3. Discussion/Decision on approving August 2026 Payroll & Withholdings
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve August 2026 Payroll & Withholdings for the amount of $761,912.72. 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). Motion carried.
3. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on adopting Easement Resolutions #1186
Resolution was not available at this time.
b. Discussion/Decision on adopting Budget FY26-27 Resolution #1187
Commissioner Varner motioned to adopt Budget FY26-27 Resolution # 1187. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; no one appeared for the Public Hearing scheduled at 11:00 AM today. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Rost). Motion carried.
c. Discussion/Decision on Model Agreement between Certified Application Counselor Designated Organization and Certified Application Counselor
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Model Agreement for Fallon County Public Health Department. 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). Motion carried
d. Discussion/Decision on Gunderson’s quote for fence maintenance
Have not received the quote at this time.
4. Old Business as needed
5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachment and approach permits/zoning compliance (as needed)
Chairman approved an encroachment permit for Westmore Road. Also accepted resignation letter for the Fair Board; currently three positions available.
2:40 PM Being as there is no further business to come before the Commission, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
