Commission Minutes – March 17-21, 2025
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 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.
9:46 AM PERMISSION/DECISION TO CHANGE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT TO EITHER PERMANENT OR SEASONAL/ Julie Straub, HRM
Discussed changing the Golf Course Superintendent job description to either permanent or seasonal; advertising the job as either or, or with compensatory time. Discussed other departments having different hours; Julie will research state statute regarding the use of compensatory time.
Commissioner Varner motioned to change the job description to include optional permanent or seasonal positions for flexibility. No second was made. Motion failed. Job description will remain permanent.
9:59 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:08 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Updated on hauling gravel to the 101 Road; not enough rain to cut any roads. Discussed hardening oil for gravel roads. Commissioner Braun reported on several signs needing replaced. Discussed the route of Webster Road and the State naming it incorrectly; Montana Cadastral and other platforms have the road named correctly. Commissioner Rost updated on Willard Hall culvert being full of gravel. Carl updated on front loader maintenance. Mitch updated on fairgrounds equipment maintenance. Discussed options of placing a stop sign on a State right of way.
10:29 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:29 AM BUILDING MAINTENANCE UPDATES/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodian Supervisor
1. Permission to work extra hours for Justice Office carpet installation.
Discussed carpet installation that will be done March 29-30th.
Updated on AC unit being replaced in April and boiler one having connection issues.
10:36 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:58 AM IT UPDATES/ Josh Lewis, System Administrator
Reported on Treasurer’s Office software updates and Justice Office moving computers. Updated on removing old computer equipment. Will reactivate the fairground’s grandstand alarm system. Discussed updating microphone equipment for Commission recordings; permission granted to move forward with updates.
11:09 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:13 AM PERMISSION TO HIRE LANDFILL EQUIPMENT OPERATOR/ Jeff Frank, Manager of Landfill Operations; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Ricky Brown as a Landfill Equipment Operator. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; Mr. Brown’s start date is set for March 19th. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
11:15 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15PM.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:30 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Update on Dec. Action.
Will meet with an individual regarding the dec. action.
2. Discuss State of Emergency MOU with Spartan Bus Line, LLC.
There was no discussion at this time.
3. Discuss Resolution of Intent to purchase City property.
Discussed interest in City properties that the County is currently leasing; could come to an agreement to trade the property for loan forgiveness. Will discuss further with the City Council and the Mayor.
4. Discussion/Review Agreement with HAM Radion.
HAM Radio requested an agreement to rent the current Baker TV District WiFi at one of the buildings; currently HAM has an antenna on one of the towers but could expand with the use of WiFi.
5. Old business as needed.
Discussed completing the resolution to dissolve the TV Districts. Updated on interlocal agreement for a Justice Court Clerk shared with the City.
1:52 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:10 PM Mandi Varner, Commissioner left the meeting.
2:16 PM PLANS & EXPECTATIONS FOR RIMS IN DISPATCH/ Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Dispatch Supervisor; Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff; Julie Straub, HRM
Julie updated on RIMS training for the Dispatchers; discussed the process of handling corrections before sending reports to the Sheriff’s Office. Discussed setting up another meeting to report on progress. Discussed training or equipment that could improve Dispatchers accuracy on reporting.
2:38 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:40 PM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES CONTRACT/ Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff
Trenton updated on Securus Technologies increasing their rate due to FCC rules changing. Cost association is due to phone calls being recorded for inmates. Discussed State rate for the Department of Corrections inmates. Discussed budgeting for inmate phone cards.
2:53 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:00 PM FALLON MEDICAL COMPLEX UPDATES/ David Espeland, CEO; Marjorie Losing, CFO
Margorie reported on January financials and stats. Updated on new payroll system being implemented; discussed clock-in timesheets.
1. Discussion/Decision on Star Service Inc quote for FMC’s heat pump replacement
David presented an updated Star Service Inc quote for installing new heat pumps and piping. David will submit more quotes for comparison.
Updated positively on leak in the tunnel; discussed waiting for rain before deciding on sealing top crack.
3:31 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
4:11 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve March 10-14, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve March 10-14, 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 carries.
2. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on purchasing election tabulators/ Kathy Newell, Elections Clerk; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Kimberly Jensen, Payroll Clerk
Discussed functionality and equipment involved for tabulators; requirements for ballot counting may change Discussed budgeting for tabulators in next fiscal year in order to make a decision closer to September; would not have to purchase tabulators if legislation changes to go to hand counted ballots.
b. Discussion/Decision on Fair Contracts.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the World’s Funniest Productions fair contract. 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 carries.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Down Boy’s Inc fair contract. 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 carries.
3. Old Business as needed
Debbie reported on updating district lines for the map. Kimberly reported on updating leave request forms. Discussed changing policy regarding the time request sheets.
a. Discussion/Decision on Star Service Inc quote for FMC’s heat pump replacement
There was no discussion at this time; currently waiting for additional quotes to be submitted.
b. Discussion/Decision on MOU between Dawson and Fallon County Health Departments.
The Commission signed the contract today, Commissioner Varner will sign at a later date.
c. Discussion/Decision on the NPE and BIL Grant Applications for the Airport Pavement Maintenance project.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the NPE and BIL Grant Applications. 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 carries.
d. Review/Revise Letter to Request Financial Assistance with 5-Year Dam Evaluation Expense.
There was no discussion at this time.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments & zoning compliance (as needed)
5. Approve March 2025 Mid-Month Claims
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve March 2025 Mid-Month Claims in the amount of $297,720.64. 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 carries.
4:50 PM Chairman Braun ended the work session. Being as there is no further business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
6:00 PM ATTEND FAIR BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025
1:00 PM ATTEND GLENDIVE DISTRICT ANNUAL TCP MEETING – MILES CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
s/ Kevin Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder