Commission Minutes – May 19-23, 2024
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost & Mandi Varner, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week.
9:15 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:30 AM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
9:30 AM EMS UPDATES/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager
Stated this meeting was not supposed to be updates but a meeting discussion on EMT policy and teaching classes; will schedule for a later date. Reported on ambulance calls, equipment maintenance and upcoming budgets. Updated on May 22nd Meet & Greet; presented other ideas to advertise for volunteer EMTs.
9:34 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD & SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Mitch and Carl updated on equipment and vehicle maintenance. Discussed road maintenance; Bobby stated that he and Mark drove West Willard Road this morning and reported that the road turned out really good. Commissioner Braun stated that there were about three to four inches that weren’t mixed with the top of the road; Bobby agreed that he was waiting for more rain before mixing in. Discussed notification when pulling shoulders and gravel bid specs. Discussed possible side dump trailer for the landfill and road department.
10:16 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:17 AM Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.
10:18 AM 5-YEAR DAM INSPECTION DISCUSSION – ZOOM MEETING/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Rich Menger, Sanitarian; Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
Scheduled for the 5-year dam inspection; Wednesday, May 28th at 10:00 AM. Discussed process of inspection.
10:31 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:31 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
Rich updated on golf course irrigation pump maintenance; reported on DEQ wastewater inspection. Shannon updated on completion of road mapping project.
1. DISCUSS GRAVEL BID
Reviewed previous gravel bid specs. Discussed special provisions regarding requesting an additional fifty thousand yards; possibly accepting two quotes for the north and south halves of Fallon County. Discussed bond requirements when bidding.
10:51 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:58 AM INSIDE MAINTENANCE UPDATES/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodian Supervisor
1. DISCUSS QUOTES FOR COMPRESSOR AND BOILER ROOM LIGHTS
Presented MTI quotes for a new AC Unit and for just the compressor part; also presented a Direct Electric quote to add lighting to the boiler room.
11:05 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:16 AM SHOOTING RANGE UPDATES/ Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Supervisor; Shane Bettenhausen, Match Manager; Carl Overland, Shooting Range Board Member
Shane and Carl were unable to attend the meeting. Discussed board members.
1. DISCUSSION/DECISION KEY FOB QUOTE
Discussed updated quote without the camera system; Jim will ask for explanation on price not changing very much.
11:22 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost & Mandi Varner, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:13 PM Chairman Braun stepped out of the office.
1:20 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Missy Thielen joined the meeting. Discussed Commission Minutes and notating if a person is sitting in on the meeting.
1:24 PM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Review Dec. Action
Discussed exhibits for the dec. action. Stated that whoever has the personal knowledge needs to sign the affidavit.
2. Discuss Interlocal Agreement between Fallon County and City of Baker for City Court Staff
Currently waiting for the City to review the agreement. Discussed who carries liability for the Justice Court Clerk; the County to handle the liability when the clerk is on County time and vice versa.
3. Discuss Tri-Area Racing Association lease agreements
Discussed scheduling the meeting.
4. Review/Revise Petition to create a road
Reviewed the petition. Discussed requiring proof of authorized signers for corporations; creating a resolution of authority that would need to be notarized in order to be included with the petition. Discussed how to document alternate routes from the viewers.
5. Old business as needed
Discussed member of the public’s request for a speed limit on the gravel part of Coral Creek Road. Discussed notating or announcing if a member of the public is sitting in on a meeting only to listen to the discussion; discussed signing in for a public hearing.
2:13 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:17 PM FY26 SALARY 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 K. Straub, Justice of the Peace; Jennifer Fisher, Clerk of District Court; Kyle Medearis, Member of the Public; Jodi Varner, Member of the Public
Discussed percentage of cost of living that should be granted to elected and non-elected officials; debated between 2% or 3%. Commissioner Rost and Braun suggested a compromise of 2.5%. Discussed fairness or lack of in lowering cost of living due to employees receiving adjustments to their pay last year; Kyle stated current revenue, and interest could cover an increase in cost of living and wouldn’t be a burden to the taxpayers. Jodi stated that once you go down on cost of living, the county won’t be able to catch up. Explained the percentage of the cost of living for elected officials and their deputies; deputies receive the max of 90% of what the elected official receives. Commissioner Varner stated that she would stay at the 3%. Explained how the longevity that was implemented last year was not considered a raise for county employees.
Kyle Medearis made a motion for 2.78% cost of living for Elected Officials. Trenton Harbaugh seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 7 Ayes. (Commissioner Rost and Varner) 2 Nays. (Commissioner Braun.) Motion carries unanimously.
2:57 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:30 PM PUBLIC HEARING – CORAL CREEK ROAD SPEED LIMIT
No one appeared for the Public Hearing.
3:45 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:59 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve May 12-16, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve May 12-16, 2025 Commission Minutes with the following additions. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
ADD “Commissioner Rost had Bobby stop the Road Department from pulling the shoulders for West Willard Road on the morning of Thursday, May 15th; at 1:30 PM all three Commissioners went to view the road due to complaints being made. No decisions were made while viewing the road.”
2. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision to exceed max lodging rates/ Kimberly Jensen, Payroll Clerk
Discussed attending the Clerk & Recorder Convention in Lewistown.
Commissioner Varner motioned to permit the Clerk & Recorder Office to exceed the max lodging rates. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Kimberly stated that they are on a waiting list for a regular room.
b. Discussion/Decision on filing Dec. Action
No action was made at this time. Required more time to review submitted exhibits.
c. Discussion/Decision on Task Order Amendment with DPHHS
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Task Order Amendment. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision on Business Associate Agreement with Gold Cross Services, Inc. (Previously known as Solestone Reimbursement)
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Business Associate Agreement. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
e. Discussion/Decision on Service Agreement Amendment with Language Link a Big Language Company.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Service Agreement Amendment. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
f. Appoint Board Member
Commissioner Varner motioned to accept the City of Baker’s recommendation to appoint Rich Menger to the Planning Board. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; Commissioner Rost asked if this would be a conflict of interest; it was advised by the Contract Planner that having the Sanitarian on the Planning Board would be beneficial. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Review Burial Contract with Stevenson Funeral Home
b. Review Addendum to Agreement with Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center, Inc
c. Review MOU with Plevna School District
d. Review Fair Contract
All preapproved county contracts, except item C, were reviewed and signed. Plevna School District MOU will be modified.
4. Approve May 2025 Mid-Month Claims
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve May 2025 Mid-Month Claims for the amount of $361,953.04. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
3:50 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business; meeting adjourned.
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025
12:00 PM ATTEND COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MEETING – COURTHOUSE BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025
6:30 PM ATTEND EMT MEET & GREET – FALLON COUNTY AMBULANCE GARAGE
s/ Kevin Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
