Commission Minutes – December 1-5, 2025
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2025
9:30 AM CONVENE
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.
9:45 AM WEED UPDATES/ Sara Berger, Weed Coordinator
Presented the final totals of spraying. Reported on Spray Day being hosted with Little Beaver Conservation District. Updated on spray crew coming back next year.
9:49 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Currently graveling Johny Creek and installing culverts; finished approach for Bondell. Reported on Tri-State Sales Rep accidentally breaking the bottom panel of a garage door; ordered a panel and will wait to have it repaired. Discussed citizen reporting a broken windshield, will not be replaced. Mitch reported on equipment and vehicle maintenance.
10:08 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:17 AM IT UPDATES/ Josh Lewis, IT Director
Reported on new ATM being installed; currently waiting for Treasurer’s to fill it with money. Updated on inventory lists. Discussed being involved in other departments electronic inventory; will ask HR about adding to policy and procedure. Updated on new laptops, website and social media. Reported on ADA Compliance for the website. Discussed bidding out old computers or throwing them away. Will ask the Library Board about taking the extra laptops for a check-out program. Discussed utilizing StarLink for EMS navigation. Discussed allowing the Sheriff Office or Dispatch access to ClickSend, a notification system for county employees.
10:36 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:36 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
Presented the final water use permit application; will be sent to DNRC once signed. Discussed road mapping; Kady can attend via Teams for any further questions. Will discuss Cabin Creek Loop Road low water crossing with Bryan Batchelor, Road Supervisor. Brosz will be surveying Jesperson’s road sometime this week. Reported on water elevation markers for Baker Lake. Discussed tests from Lagoon Cell 3 and the irrigation line to the golf course pond; currently waiting for a response from DEQ. Discussed the Request for Qualifications for the landfill engineer.
1. Update on Niter Road survey and easement (Section 1&2-T5N-R59E)
Discussed reviewing Niter Road’s petition.
11:00 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:00 AM MUSEUM UPDATES/ Vaughn Zenko, Museum Curator
Presented attendance stats for the month of November. Discussed contract for an upcoming event. Updated on school events, field trips and democracy program for the high school.
11:05 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:15 AM EMS UPDATES/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager
Presented on-call hours and stats. Reported on online education. Discussed replacing the current oxygen company for refilling tanks. Discussed grants for supplies and the building. Reported on upcoming CPR classes and attending Parade of Lights; permission granted for Brittany having a passenger in the ambulance during the parade.
11:28 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:30 AM Chairman Braun left the meeting.
11:34 AM Jamie Shanks, EPEDC Community Development Specialist attended the meeting.
11:34 AM EPEDC UPDATES/ Terra Burman, EPEDC Executive Director
Terra reported on attending the Ag Summit. Updated on several grants for the community and departments. Updated on personnel. Jamie reported on ARPA funds for Plevna’s lagoon project. Updated on upcoming events and trainings.
11:56 PM Vice Chairman Rost 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 Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Discuss Amended Plat Doc #83809 Lots 19R & 20R Block 7 Original Townsite Plevna, ownership
Discussed the Plevna Community Center and cold storage building plats. Plevna Rural Fire moved property lines in 2004 due to their building being on portion of County property. No deeds were done at the time; possibly due to a transition with a new planner. Darcy will write up a deed to correct the ownerships of the lots.
1:43 PM Debbie Wyrick left the meeting.
2. Review Mutual Aid Agreement with Dahl Memorial
Reviewed draft mutual aid agreement. Discussed billing for ambulance services.
3. Old business as needed
1:50 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:02 PM PERMISSION TO LEAVE WITHOUT PAY/ Kim Bryan, Public Health Director; Kass Maierhoffer, Temporary Community Health Worker; Julie Straub, HRM
Kass requested leave without pay.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve Kass Maierhoffer’s request for leave without pay for specific dates through June 2026, up to the supervisor Kim Bryan, Public Health Director. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:05 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:06 PM PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES/ Kim Bryan, Public Health Director
Reported on PHEP Grant; a reimbursement grant up to $10,000.00. Would use the grant for Fallon Medical Complex and the ambulance. Updated on vaccines and services.
2:10 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:16 PM DISPATCH UPDATES/ Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Supervisor
1. Permission to hire recruit/ Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Rost motioned to recruit for a new Emergency Communications Dispatcher. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:29 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:45 PM GOLF COURSE UPDATES/ Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent
Reported on clearing the sprinkler heads. Currently cleaning the shop and updating the service log. Reported on irrigation pond levels and greens maintenance. Discussed reels maintenance.
2:55 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:55 PM SHOOTING RANGE UPDATES/ Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Supervisor; Shane Bettenhausen, Match Manager; Carl Overland, Shooting Range Board Member
Shane was unable to attend the meeting. Reported on Cyberus installing a camera system; have not installed the gate camera. Discussed having a code for authorized personnel.
1. Discussion/Decision on membership costs
Jim suggested raise the cost of the membership to the cost of the fob. Will discuss further with the Shooting Range Board.
3:06 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:34 PM LANDFILL UPDATES/ Jeff Frank, Manager of Landfill Operations
Larger container has been delivered for the trees at the container site; tree pile at the container site is gone.
3:36 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:45 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve November 24-28, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motion to approve the November 24-28, 2025 Commission Minutes. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Abstained. (Commissioner Rost) Motion carried.
2. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on Resolution #1164 to accept a perpetual non-exclusive easement in Section 17 – T6N – R60E
Commissioner Varner motioned to adopt Resolution #1164. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Abstained. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
b. Discussion/Decision on Montana Petroleum Association membership renewal
Commissioner Rost motion to renew the MPA membership for the amount of $425.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision on Public Health Emergency Preparedness Task Order
Commissioner Rost motion to approve the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Task Order. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision on fair contract
Commissioner Rost motion to approve the Insanity Fest Thrill Show fair contract and addendum. Commissioner Varner 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 Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursements for Construction Programs at the Baker Municipal Airport
Commissioner Rost motion to approve the Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursements. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Updated Beneficial Water Use Permit
The updated Beneficial Water Use Permit Form 600 was signed as of today and will be sent to DNRC.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
5. Approve November 2025 Payroll & Withholdings
Commissioner Varner motion to approve November 2025 Payroll & Withholdings for the amount of $644,874.52. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Approve November 2025 End of Month Claims
Commissioner Rost motion to approve November 2025 End of Month Claims for the amount of $199,019.97. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2025
9:30 AM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
9:30 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:45 AM OUTSIDE MAINTENANCE UPDATES/ Robbie Christiaens, Outside Maintenance Supervisor
Reported on equipment maintenance. Discussed having Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent assist with plowing snow. Will move outside maintenance equipment to the fairgrounds.
1. Permission to order cabinet
Presented a Global Industrial quote for a large industrial cabinet. Discussed building a set of wooden shelves this winter instead.
2. Discuss sidewalk safety/ Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder
Debbie was unable to attend the meeting. Reported on complaints from concerned citizens regarding motorized vehicles on the sidewalk. Discussed restricting the width of scooters allowed on the sidewalks; will discuss further after researching options. Will install no trespassing signs for the wetlands by the Upper Dam.
9:57 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:15 AM FALLON MEDICAL UPDATES/ David Espeland, CEO; Marjorie Losing, CFO
10:31 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:38 AM COMMISSION WORK SESSION CONTINUED (IF NEEDED)
No further business to discuss.
10:38 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Roy Rost, Vice Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
