Commission Minutes – February 9-13, 2026
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2026
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Vice Chairman; Mandi Varner, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman
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 PERMISSION TO HIRE SANITARIAN/ Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Janalee Ferrell as the Sanitarian. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; start date is Thursday, February 12th. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
DISCUSSION/DECISION ON SANITARIAN SCHEDULE
Requested to set the Sanitarian schedule Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM with no lunch. Permission granted; will be adjusted later if needed.
PERMISSION TO HIRE TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR EXTENSION
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Madison Butori as the Temporary Administrative Assistant for Extension. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; start date is Wednesday, February 18th. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
PERMISSION TO CHANGE SEASONAL JOB TITLE FOR THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
Requested to change Caretaker Assistant to Cemetery Crew Hand; more reflective of the work and effective recruiting tool. Permission granted.
9:50 AM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Mitch was unable to attend the meeting. Updated on road work for Runway Trail, Fletcher Creek Trail, Jesperson’s and Sandstone. Reported positively on using the new disc mulchers on the roads. Discussed chip and sealing project; will hold off on the gazebo area. Carl reported on equipment and vehicle maintenance. Requested to purchase a smoke machine to locate vacuum leaks on vehicles; permission granted. Currently have a blade down with a broken wing; discussed getting a temporary loaner if repairs take a few weeks.
10:17 AM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
10:15 AM PERMISSION TO CREATE A SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT/ Kim Bryan, Director of Public Health; Josh Lewis, IT Director
Requested to set up an Instagram account to help Public Health reach the younger generation and other social media users; permission granted.
10:21 AM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
10:57 AM Kendyl Polatas, SMART Board President joined the meeting.
10:57 AM SMART UPDATES/ Katie Miller, SMART Executive Director
Reported on changes to the Board of Directors for SMART. Updated on several on-going projects and their current expense and revenue report; discussed projected revenues from selling licenses plates starting July 2026. Presented SMART’s strategic priorities for 2026. Discussed hiring a part-time assistant for SMART; asked the Commission to consider filling the current budget deficit that SMART has.
11:15 AM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
11:26 AM PERMISSION TO UTILIZE CLICK SEND FOR SENIOR BUS SERVICES/ Carla Brown, Council on Aging Director; Josh Lewis, IT Director
Discussed using Click Send to communicate with bus drivers instead of a personal cell phone. RAVE Community Alert System could be replacing Click Send and it would be possible for the Senior Citizen bus services to utilize the alert system.
11:31 PM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Vice Chairman; Mandi Varner, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:33 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Review Otis Elevator Service Contract
Discussed TK Elevator’s notice denying cancellation due to a cancellation period included in the contracts. Will send red lines to Otis and begin negotiations for a service contact when the TK Elevator contract expire.
2. Review updated Lease for Healthcare Facility
Will review Fallon Medical Complex’s revisions to the lease.
3. Review drafted Commissioner Deeds for the Plevna Rural Fire District
Currently reviewing Cindy’s revisions.
4. Old Business as needed
5. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation (IF NEEDED)
1:45 PM Vice Chairman Rost closed the meeting.
2:38 PM Vice Chairman Rost opened the meeting.
Commissioner Varner motioned to submit DV 2025-12 QT to insurance. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
2:39 PM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
2:47 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve February 2-6, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the February 2-6, 2026 Commission Minutes. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
2. Approve February 2, 2026 Commission Closed Session Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the February 2, 2026 Commission Closed Session Minutes. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
3. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on Lease for Healthcare Facility
County Attorney will review changes.
b. Discussion/Decision to advertise Request for Qualifications for a Landfill Engineer
Commissioner Varner motioned to advertise Request for Qualifications for a Landfill Engineer. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
c. Discussion/Decision on Community Alert System and battery quotes per the Tri-County 911 Board’s recommendation
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Motorola RAVE Alert System quote for the amount of $22,800.00 for three years per the Tri-County 911 Board’s recommendation. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Motorola battery quotes for the following amounts; Needmore Tower $37,911.98; Alzada Tower $9,594.00; and Wibaux South Tower $8,639.00 for the grand total of $56,144.98 per the Tri-County 911 Board’s recommendation. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
d. Discussion/Decision on setting up a Student Mechanic Apprenticeship for the Road Department
Currently in discussion with the schools regarding the apprenticeship program.
e. Discussion/Decision to adopt Budget Amendment Resolution #1171 to accept Smithsonian grant for the Museum
Commissioner Varner motioned to adopt Budget Amendment Resolution #1171 to accept Smithsonian grant for the Museum. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; the grant total is $1,500.00. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
f. Discussion/Decision on FMC RFP014 (Relocate Electrical Line)
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Request for Proposals #014 for the amount of $1,037.95. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
g. Discussion/Decision on the Amendment to CredibleMind, inc. License Agreement
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Amendment to CredibleMind, inc. License Agreement for the amount of $1,370.00. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
4. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on Otis Elevator Service Contract
County Attorney is currently reviewing Otis Elevator Service Contract.
b. Discussion/Decision on Agreement for the provision of School Health Services
Currently waiting for the school to review the agreement.
c. Discussion/Decision on Commissioner Deeds for the Plevna Rural Fire District
Currently waiting for County Attorney to revise deeds.
5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
2:57 PM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion. Recess until 9:45 AM on Friday, February 13, 2026.
RECESS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2026
9:45 AM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
9 :45 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:30 PM APPROVE FEBRUARY 2026 MID-MONTH CLAIMS
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve February 2026 Mid-Month Claims for the amount of $464,152.89. Commissioner Varnerseconded the motion. Commissioner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
10:16 PM 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 Clerk
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
