Commission Minutes – December 15-19, 2025
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 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
Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodian Supervisor joined the meeting. Informed the Commission of her intent to purchase shades for the City Office.
9:32 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:57 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Plowed bus routes and other roads. Reported on clearing auto-gates and hauling gravel to Johny Creek Trail. Commissioner Braun reported on Custer Camp Trail needing gravel in the Spring; discussed possible non-permitted encroachment. Mitch and Carl reported on equipment maintenance.
1. Award Diesel Powered Hydraulic Excavator Bid
Reviewed bids for excavator; discussed attachments to include. Bryan Batchelor recommends the John Deere with the mower attachment.
Commissioner Varner motioned to award the Diesel Powered Hydraulic Excavator Bid to RDO Equipment with the mower attachment only. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; discussed when to start mowing the dams and channels. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
10:12 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:15 AM PLANNER & DES UPDATES/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator
Reported on 911 validations for addresses and including oilfield roads/wells to Dispatch’s GIS map; discussed restricting that GIS layer from the public map being as those oilfield roads are privately owned. Updated on the final outdoor warning siren policy; will be testing the fire and weather sirens monthly and civil defense every six months. Reported on gathering evacuation from Parkview, Superior Care and Fallon Medical Complex for the residents. Currently looking for a replacement for CodeRed due to service complications.
Reported on overcharge from KLJ and updating the Planner Fees.
10:30 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:39 AM Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent joined the meeting.
10:41 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
1. Discussion/Decision on Cabin Creek Loop culvert work order
Presented the culvert work order for Shortcut, Cabin Creek Loop and Anticline Road. The Road Superintendent recommended approving the work order to save money from buying a third culvert.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Brosz Engineering culvert work order for the amount of $25,000.00. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussed maintenance for the dams and channels.
10:58 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:06 AM GIS ROAD PLAT WORK SESSION – ZOOM MEETING/ Kady York, Brosz Engineering; Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk; Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator
The Commission reviewed granted roads on the draft GIS map.
12:21 PM 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.
1:32 PM Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk joined the meeting.
1:32 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Review Notice of Intent to donate Amended Plat Doc # 83809 Lots 19R & 20R Block 7 Original Townsite Plevna to the Plevna Rural Fire District
Reviewed the Notice of Intent. Cindy presented corrections for the notice.
2. Review Fallon Medical Complex operating agreement
Reviewed Notice of Intent to lease and resolution.
3. Review Light generator agreement
Discussed liability for borrowing the light generators that are owned by Mitchell’s Oilfield. Will send the agreement to Mitchell’s for review.
4. Review Ekalaka & Terry TV Service Agreement
No discussion at this time.
5. Review Planning Board By-laws
The by-laws will be sent to the Planning Board to review. Discussed representation of members on the board.
6. Old business as needed
1:52 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:52 PM CLOSED SESSION – THIELEN LITIGATION/ Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney
Provided the last file documents that were served on the County. Discussed obtaining maintenance records from the Road Department.
1:54 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:04 PM PERMISSION TO RECRUIT DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES/ Lee Strait, Library Board Member; Julie Straub, HRM
Julie presented an updated job description for the Director of Library Services. Beth Meggars will be retiring tentatively January 22nd; flexible for training purposes. Requested to change the current job title to Library Director; will
Commissioner Rost motioned to recruit for a Library Director. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:07 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:30 PM Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator joined the meeting.
2:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve December 8-12, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the December 8-12, 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 Varner due to absence.) Motion carried.
2. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursements for the Baker Municipal Airport Pavement Project
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursements for the Baker Municipal Airport Pavement Project. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion/Decision on Bohle First Minor Amended Subdivision Plat
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Bohle First Minor Amended Subdivision Plat amending lot 1AP in Section 10-7-57 per the Contract Planner’s recommendation. 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. Review Final Review and Acceptance for the Baker Municipal Airport Pavement Project
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Final Review and Acceptance for the Baker Municipal Airport Pavement Project. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
5. Approve December 2025 Mid-Month Claims
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the December 2025 Mid-Month Claims for the amount of $454,541.59. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:49 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
