Commission Minutes January 5-9, 2026
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026
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.
9:42 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION – RESOLUTION #1169 ELECTING PRESIDING OFFICER FOR FALLON COUNTY COMMISSION
Commissioner Rost motioned adopt Resolution #1169, electing Commissioner Braun as Chair and Commissioner Rost as Vice Chair. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
9:43 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:43 AM OUTSIDE MAINTENANCE & PARKVIEW MAINTENANCE UPDATES/ Robbie Christiaens, Outside Maintenance Supervisor; Derrick deHaan, Outside Maintenance Facilities Manager
Discussed early registration for convention; permission granted. Reported utilizing shelving in cold storage. Will assist Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent with equipment maintenance. Prairie Mountain Electric will complete repairs on the waterfall pumps. Derrick reported on Parkview carpet replacement progress. Discussed boiler maintenance; currently waiting on a glycol test from Snowcrest for Northwest Piping to warranty the boiler.
9:55 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Reported on filling in ruts on several roads; South Ismay Road, Bergstrom Hill Road, Old Baker Highway, West Willard, Sunset Trail and Johny Creek Trail. Mitch and Carl reported on equipment maintenance. Discussed maintenance for the Community Service vehicle. Bryan will follow up on the garage door repairs.
10:02 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:13 AM Ashely Bondell, Town Of Plevna Clerk/Treasurer joined the meeting.
10:13 AM DISCUSS TOWN OF PLEVNA STREETS/ Gary Thielen, Mayor-Town of Plevna
Discussed chip and sealing Plevna streets; requesting the County to do the labor and furnish half of the oil, Town of Plevna would furnish the chips for 4.8 miles of street. Discussed setting up a rotation for one mile of streets every year. Discussed stockpiling chips for Plevna possibly on County property or State property.
10:20 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:28 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
Updated on Lower Dam inspection; DNRC is requesting an updated Emergency Action Plan. Culvert surveys will be completed by the end of the week. Discussed replacing the box culvert on sixth street and maintaining the channel with mowers.
10:37 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:45 AM PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES/ Kim Bryan, Public Health Director
Reported on immunizations, WIC and family planning.
1. Permission to purchase county supplies with personal funds and request reimbursement
Reported on faulty water dispenser but unable to return the item on the county amazon account. Discussed using personal funds to purchase a water dispenser from Walmart in order to maintain the ability to return the item if it is also faulty; permission granted to use the County credit card to purchase the water dispenser.
10:50 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:59 AM GOLF UPDATES/ Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent
Reported on equipment maintenance. Currently waiting on parts to repair the reel sharpener; sent the fairway mower reels to Billings for maintenance just in case. Discussed repairing the white fence along Airport Road.
11:07 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:13 AM WEED UPDATES/ Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator
Reported on weed management plans and upcoming Spray Days with the Conservation District. Updated on attending Convention and taking a personal vehicle; discussed board members attending the Convention. Reported on confirmed seasonals that will be returning for the next spray season.
11:19 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:30 AM DES/PLANNER UPDATES/ Desiree Thielen, DES Coordinator/Planner
Reported on SBA Relief stating Fallon County was in a drought.
1.Discussion/Decision-Siren Policy Procedures
Discussed implementing the Outdoor Warning Siren Policy by resolution. Will have the County Attorney review the policy and draft a resolution.
11:33 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:45 AM COUNCIL ON AGING UPDATES/ Carla Brown, Council on Aging Director
Reported on State and Federal funding for fiscal year 2027. Discussed requesting the State to replace either a van or bus; suggested replacing one vehicle with an extended van. Reported on meals that are provided by the Fallon Medical Complex kitchen.
11:50 AM 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.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1.Old Business as needed
Will draft up a Resolution for the Plevna Rural Fire property and a lease for the hospital. Discussed the Outdoor Warning Siren Policy.
a. FMC Health Insurance Premium discussion/ Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk and Recorder
Discussed MCA 2-18-702. Fallon Medical Complex has paid the premiums for January. Discussed adjustments to the July 1, 2026 premiums for the hospital and the County.
1:38 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:38 PM CLOSED SESSION – THIELEN LITIGATION/ Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney
Discussed draft response that are due to the court on January 29th, 2026. Will have the Clerk & Recorders Office review final draft before submitting.
Commissioner Rost motioned to go into closed session. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
1:49 PM Commissioner Rost motioned to come out of closed session. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
1:50 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 PM EXCESS VACATION PROCEDURE UPDATE/ Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Kimberly Jensen, Payroll Clerk; Julie Straub, HRM
Kimberly reported on the Auditors suggestion to have the Commission notifying employees in regards to their excess vacation. The Commission will hand deliver to the employee’s that are under the Commission’s supervision.
2:25 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:30 PM Josh Lewis, IT Director, Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator and Randy Morris, Board Member joined the meeting.
2:30 PM PLEVNA/BAKER TV UPDATES/ Wayne Mangold, Board Member
Reported on Interlocal agreements with Prairie County and Carter County. Reported on equipment costs rising, leading to the Board asking for a feasibility study and coverage survey to create a tower in the North. Discussed how the towers are also utilized for emergency broadcasts and this service should be provided to residents of Fallon County regardless. Reported on conflicts with channel signals, stalling the progress for the local weather channel. Discussed possibility of including Wibaux County for emergency broadcasting.
3:01 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:02 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve December 29, 2025 – January 2, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve December 29, 2025 – January 2, 2026 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision Museum Entertainment Contract/Strutz Entertainment
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Strutz Entertainment Contract. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion/Decision KnowBe4 MOU
Waiting to receive updated Memorandum of Understanding.
c. Discussion/Decision Resolution #1170-Establish Commission Days and Times
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve Resolutions #1170, #1171, #1172 and #1173. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision Resolution #1171-Budget Amendment (Museum)
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve Resolutions #1170, #1171, #1172 and #1173. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
e. Discussion/Decision Resolution #1172-Amend Mileage for Fallon County Elected Officials and Employees
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve Resolutions #1170, #1171, #1172 and #1173. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
f. Discussion/Decision Resolution #1173-Establish Public Location for Posting Information
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve Resolutions #1170, #1171, #1172 and #1173. 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-Adjusting Health Insurance Premiums/ Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk and Recorder
Premiums will remain the same for both Fallon Medical Complex and Fallon County until June 30, 2026.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
5. Approve December 2025 Payroll & Withholdings
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve December 2025 Payroll & Withholdings for the amount of $734,937.40. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further business; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Approve December 2025 End of Month Claims
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve December 2025 End of Month Claims for the amount of $225,936.48. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3:10 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until Tuesday, January 6th at 9:30 AM.
RECESS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026
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.
9:44 AM EMS UPDATES/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager
Presented year end on call hours and stats. Currently researching kits for autistic patients. Updated on receiving PAR quotes for an ambulance building. Discussed the Auditors requesting the ambulance to be reconciled monthly.
1. Discussion/Decision – Granite Starlink Service Provider Proposal/Agreement/ Josh Lewis, IT Director
Discussed invoicing for the Starlink service; would assist with emergency services when out of town. Would like to do a trial run on an ambulance for one month; permission granted. Discussed how to test the equipment.
10:01 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM FALLON MEDICAL COMPLEX UPDATES/ David Espeland, CEO; Marjorie Losing, CFO
Marjorie thanked the Commission for keeping the insurance premiums the same. Reviewed financial report for the month of November. David reported positively the hospital’s draft audit report. Updated on hospital renovations. Presented a Request for Proposal to modify walls for additional elevator. Suggested using remaining mill levy funds to replace chiller above Long-Term Care.
10:28 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there was no further business; meeting adjourned.
11:00 AM COMMISSION WORK SESSION (IF NEEDED)
There was no meeting at this time.
ADJOURN
6:30 PM ATTEND PLANNING BOARD MEETING – FALLON COUNTY COURTROOM
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
