Commission Minutes – December 8-12, 2025
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2025
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Mandi Varner, Member
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.
9:44 AM CLOSED PERSONNEL – EXTENSION OF PROBATIONARY PERIOD/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Dave Mahoney, Operator; Julie Straub, HRM
Chairman Braun asked if the Dave would like the meeting closed; Dave stated the meeting can remain open.
Discussed Dave’s appraisal; Bryan recommends adding three more months to Dave’s probationary period.
Commissioner Rost motioned to extend Dave’s probational period by three months. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; discussed vacation time being available January 24th. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
9:48 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:55 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Currently hauling gravel and plowing. Front end plows won’t be delivered until March. Discussed line going through a county road; repair was completed and will verify if there is an encroachment permit for the line. Carl and Mitch updated on county vehicle maintenance. Reported on Jesperson’s road and pulling shoulders. Discussed pulling the loader out of Noll’s pit.
10:03 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:15 AM Dan Mollett, TriState Truck & Equipment Co/TranSource Representative; Greg Sodt, RDO Equipment Co Representative; Truman Neprud, Tractor & Equipment Co. Representative joined the meeting.
10:17 AM DIESEL POWERED HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR BID OPENING
| Tractor & Equipment Co. | Torgerson’s | RDO Equipment Co. | Tri-State Truck & Equipment Co./ TransSource |
| Caterpillar 313 | CASE CX140E | John Deere 130P | Volvo EC140E |
| Purchase Price w/ no trade – $211,147.00 | Purchase Price w/ no trade – $237,706 | Purchase Price w/ no trade – $261,200.00 | Purchase Price w/ no trade – $284,830.47 |
| Trade Value – $40,000.00 | Trade Value – $44,341.00 | Trade Value – $85,000.00 | Trade Value – $35,000.00 |
| Net Purchase Price w/ trade – $215,283.00 | Net Purchase Price w/ trade – $193,365.00 | Net Purchase Price w/ trade – $176,200.00 | Net Purchase Price w/ trade – $249,830.47 |
| Guaranteed Repurchase Prices Available | Guaranteed Repurchase Prices Available | Guaranteed Repurchase Prices Available (received correct amounts) | Guaranteed Repurchase Prices Available |
| Proposed Delivery date of 5/31/2026 | Proposed Delivery date of 6/30/2026 | Proposed Delivery Date of 5/15/2026 | Proposed Delivery Date of March or April 2026 |
Bids will be reviewed and decision will be made on December 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM.
10:31 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:31 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
Discussed quotes for concrete box culvert, corrugated steel pipe or low water crossing for Cabin Creek Road. Shannon recommends having the Road Department replace the three pipes with double ten-foot corrugated steel pipes. Discussed lengths and keeping the road gradation.
1. Discussion/Decision on Niter Road survey and easement (Section 1 & 2 – T5N – R59E)/ Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk
There is a grant for this road, an easement is not required and the County can begin maintenance. Will discuss further with the Road Department.
10:53 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:17 AM SANITARIAN UPDATES/ Rich Menger, Sanitarian; Brant Gordon, Dawson County Sanitarian
Rich will be retiring on December 23rd. Discussed current MOU with Dawson County. Rich reported that there are only emergencies that need to be addressed going forward for the year; all restaurant inspections have been completed.
11:26 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:38 AM TV BOARD UPDATES/ Wayne Mangold, Board Member; Josh Lewis, IT Director; Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator
Terry, MT is requesting to have a channel connection through the Fallon County TV Board. Discussed how to charge Terry and Ekalaka for TV services. Josh reported on connecting Plevna to Bracket Butte through a bridgeport. Montana PBS will be set up in Miles City through Billings. Discussed customer complaints.
1. Discussion/Decision on charging Ekalaka for TV services
Will have Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney draft an agreement for both Ekalaka and Terry.
11:39 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Mandi Varner, Member
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:32 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Review deeds for Amended Plat Doc # 83809 Lots 19R & 20R Block 7 Original Townsite Plevna
Recommended posting a notice of intent and holding a public hearing before writing up deeds.
2. Review Fallon Medical Complex operating agreement
Discussed advertising for the hospital lease and operating agreement.
3. Old business as needed
Reported on the TV Board requesting agreements for Terry and Ekalaka; Desiree requested an MOU with Mitchell’s Crane for light generators; anonymous request will not be addressed until the individual proves they are a county taxpayer; requested a Commissioner to attend Insurance hearing regarding the Livestock Barn damages.
1:45 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:45 PM CLOSED SESSION – THIELEN LITIGATION/ Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney
A request for production was made regarding the road.
1:50 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 PM INSIDE BUILDING MAINTENANCE UPATES/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodian Supervisor
The City office is requesting curtains for their office; will wait for quotes to decide on who will purchase the blinds. Discussed purchasing fire extinguishers for the TV Board buildings.
2:21 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:24 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve December 1-5, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motion to approve December 1-5, 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 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
2. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on adjusting Road Department hours
The Road Superintendent requested a change to the working hours for the Road Department; 7:00 AM through 5:00 PM with twenty-minute paid lunches, Monday through Friday. Commissioner Braun recommended to try this as a test trial basis, mainly winter hours and reevaluation in the summer.
Commissioner Rost motion to approve the Road Superintendent requested a change to the working hours for the Road Department; 7:00 AM through 5:00 PM with twenty-minute paid lunches, Monday through Friday. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; will be up to the Road Superintendent’s discretion when to start the trial. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
b. Discussion/Decision on Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Program Task Order
Commissioner Rost motion to approve the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Program Task Order. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
c. Discussion/Decision on 406 Fire Protection extinguisher quote
Commissioner Rost motion to approve the 406 Fire Protection quote for the amount of $6,455.00 to include the two additional five pound extinguishers for the TV Board buildings. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on renewing the Baker Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture annual membership
Commissioner Rost motion to renew the Baker Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture annual membership for the amount of $375.00. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
2:28 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
