Commission Minutes – May 11-15, 2026
MONDAY, MAY 11, 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.
9:45 AM Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent joined the meeting.
9:45 AM GOLF COURSE UPDATES/ Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent; John Didier, Seasonal Golf Course Superintendent
Discussed test fluctuations for the golf course irrigation pond; will send tests to the school if chlorine is lowered. Aerating was completed last week. Reported on watering for the course; currently have a few leaks. Discussed budgeting for a mini excavator that could also be used at the golf course. Discussed budgeting for a shop lift to assist with mower maintenance; Outside maintenance would also be able to utilize the lift. Currently waiting for the irrigation system to be reliable before laying sod on hole five green. Clint Townsend has started assisting with the satellite system for the irrigation system. Discussed cart path repairs; will complete drainage before the Road Department comes mid July to work on the cart path.
10:05 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Carl was unable to attend the meeting as he had left to pick up the emergency management pump for DES. Reported on road maintenance for Anticline Road, Cabin Creek Loop, and Tower Road. Updated on filling the tanker with the fairgrounds water tank. Will start hauling chips for roads. Commissioner Braun reported on landowner complaint that blades are skipping stretches on the roads; discussed lack of communication when several blades are out. Discussed material needed for dust control; could purchase water from landowner dams to help with road maintenance. Mitch reported on generator and equipment maintenance. Discussed notification for road encroachment; will create a better ditch for 2nd Street SW after MDU bores their line.
10:18 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:18 AM FAIRGROUNDS UPDATES/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager
1. PERMISSION TO HIRE A SEASONAL OFFICE ASSISTANT/ Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Conrad Hess as the Seasonal Office Assistant. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Fair board members requested to remove the old crows nest in the livestock barn. Discussed putting south bleachers on skids so they can be moved around. Discussed retiring the arena tarp now that it has holes; discussed repairs or using it for the golf course greens. Discussed fair contracts having red lines cleaned up before contracts can be put on record in the Clerk & Recorders office.
10:26 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:43 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Ryan Finch, 7F Services, LLC
Discussed testing for the golf course irrigation pond. City Council did approve the survey for Triangle Park; will move forward with scheduling for the survey.
1. Discussion/Decision on 6th Street RCBC – Change Order #2
Paige Atkinson joined the meeting. Discussed changing back to the originally planned precast; would have precast by July but nothing officially scheduled after that. Shannon presented Change Order #2. Paige stated that she will do weekly reports for the project moving forward.
10:56 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:00 AM WEED & EXTENSION UPDATES/ Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator
Reported on Extension tasks for 4-H and fair. Reported on spraying weeds; almost done with Ollie area. Updated on contacting RDO Equipment for a replacement MSO for the John Deere side-by-side. Touch a Truck event will be postponed for next year.
11:02 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:15 AM PICKLE BALL COURT UPDATES/ Jade Boggs, Member of the Public
Jade presented ideas for the pickle ball court at the baseball field. Discussed removeable posts and nets; would have stencils to paint the pickle ball court. Memorial would be on the net tape. Discussed getting slats for the chain link fence. Permission granted to move forward with purchases.
11:20 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:20 AM CHAMBER UPDATES/ Alissa Miller, Chamber Executive
Alissa reported on need of an assistant. Updated on upcoming night golf tournament; attended golf board meeting and met with the golf course superintendents. Will have fundraising for AAU football; searching for volunteers to coach football camp for the younger groups. Reported on recent survey of activity requests. Reported on upcoming events and camps. Discussed upcoming budgeting for the assistant position; fundraising has increased but sponsorship has decreased.
11:35 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:45 AM Josh Lewis, IT Director joined the meeting.
11:45 AM DISPATCH UPDATES/ Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Supervisor
Josh asked which budget to use for a replacement computer so Dispatch can view the new cameras; decided the computer would come out of inside maintenance budget.
11:49 AM Josh left the meeting.
Brenda reported on attending Safety Day for the schools. Updated on upcoming trainings. Reported on RIMMS and Sygen for dispatchers and law enforcement. Reported on new dispatchers progress.
11:52 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. Discussion on Resolution to rename roads – Windy View Road to Windy View Trail
Currently checking on statute to clarify that the easement could be used for public use; discussed amending the easement for the landowners to acknowledge that the road will be used for public use. The Commission will discuss further with Brosz, who originally drew up the easement. Discussed naming the driveway without declaring it as county road.
2. Review Great West Engineering Agreement for Professional Services
Will review the agreement before the Commission Work Session.
3. Review Bureau of Land Management MOU regarding Bridger Pipeline associated environmental impact statement
Will review the Memorandum of Understanding. Discussed process of cooperating with BLM on the scoping process for the proposed Bridger Pipeline
4. Old Business as needed
Discussed the DPHHS Master Contract; currently waiting for other counties to finish the revision process to see if DPHHS accepts the changes.
5. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation Update (IF NEEDED)
Currently trying to set up a meeting with Cal Stacey, Travelers Insurance Attorney for updates regarding the litigation.
2:00 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 PM PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES/ Kim Bryan, Public Health Director; Kassidy Maierhoffer, Temporary Community Health Worker
Kim reported on April events held for children and students; awarded five tobacco grant scholarships for students. Kassidy reported on April stats for clients, Medicaid changes and events. Catalyst has an individual from Broadus present in the school currently. Updated on monthly meetings with Catalyst for change.
2:22 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:27 PM AIRPORT UPDATES/ Roger Meggers, Airport Facilities Manager
Reported on runway light replacement project; will be replaced this year with a reimbursement grant to cover the replacements. Discussed stats on life flights.
2:33 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:45 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve May 4-8, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the May 4-8, 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 on Resolution #1177 Intent to Purchase Real Property from the City of Baker
Commissioner Varner motioned to adopt Resolution #1177. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion/Decision Great West Engineering Agreement for Professional Services
Currently waiting for the County Attorney to finish reviewing the agreement.
c. Discussion/Decision on TranSource quote for chipper steering kit
TranSource quote was approved for the amount of $3,623.92
d. Discussion/ Decision on Stahly Engineering Professional Services Agreement
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Stahly Engineering Professional Services Agreement. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
e. Discussion/Decision on Peaks Planning and Consulting Professional Services Agreement
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Peaks Planning and Consulting Professional Services Agreement. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
f. Discussion/Decision on fair contracts
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Fusion Talent fair contracts for the total amount of $10,125.00. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
g. Discussion/Decision on Amendment No.3 to the KnowBe4 Licenses MOU
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve Amendment No.3 to the KnowBe4 Licenses MOU. 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 to approve Planning Board By-Laws
No discussion at this time.
b. Discussion/Decision on designation for the FY27 Alcohol Tax funding
No discussion at this time.
c. Discussion/Decision on 2026 NASTTPO Annual Conference final reimbursement agreement
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the 2026 NASTTPO Annual Conference final reimbursement agreement. 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/encroachment and approach permits/zoning compliance (as needed)
3:12 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was recessed until Wednesday, May 13th at 4:00PM.
RECESS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026
4:00 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
4:00 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
4:30 PM SALARY COMMISSION WORK SESSION/ Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Kimberly Jensen, Payroll Clerk; Julie Straub, HRM; Barb Ketterling, Treasurer; Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney; Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff; Judge Anna J. Straub, Justice of the Peace; Jodi Varner, Member of the Public; Kyle Medearis, Member of the Public
Darcy was unable to attend the meeting.The cost of living adjustment for this fiscal year is 2.97 % or $1.14 per hour for elected officials. Discussed cost of living adjustment (COLA) for elected officials and deputies.
Commissioner Varner motioned to recommend 2% for the cost of living adjustment for elected officials. Jodi Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 4 Nays. (Trenton Harbaugh, Barb Ketterling, Judge Anna Straub, and Kyle Medearis) 1 Absent. (Darcy Wassmann) Motion failed.
Kyle Medearis motioned to recommend 2.3% for the cost of living adjustment for elected officials. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 5 Ayes. 3 Nays. (Commissioner Varner, Barb Ketterling and Judge Anna Straub) 1 Absent. (Darcy Wassamann) Motion carried.
4:50 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being no further business to come before the Commission, meeting is adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Clerk
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
