Commission Minutes – November 10-14, 2025
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2025
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
Kassidy Jesperson called into the meeting. Discussed easement for Fletcher Creek Trail; will have Brosz Engineering and the Road Superintendent look at the road.
9:37 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:43 AM NORTH BAKER WATER & SEWER DISTRICT UPDATES (NBWSD)/ Ken Griffith, Board Member
Discussed the City’s request for NBWSD taking over the Bonnevale cemetery line.
9:44 AM Mayor Zachmann joined the meeting.
Discussed all the lines that are not within the district, connected to the Bonnevale line. The three-inch line wouldn’t qualify for grants. The Bonnevale Cemetery Board could possibly vote to be included in the NBWSD.
9:52 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:57 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Currently graveling Johny Creek Trail; cleared out auto gates and culverts. Bryan presented quotes for discs, an excavator and mower attachments. Discussed mowing channels; eventually will install cement channels. Removed cement debris from the golf course. Mitch reported on equipment maintenance. Discussed Jesperson’s request for a county easement.
10:22 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Kady York, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian; Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk; Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator
Shannon reported on the recent DNRC letter denying the water rights; will send DNRC the requested items. Rich reported on winterizing the chlorination shed. Nolls gravel pile is ready for hauling.
Kady presented the updated GIS map. Discussed reviewing one district at a time for final details.
11:12 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:15 AM BAKER & PLEVNA FIRE SIREN DISCUSSION/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator; Tom Bruha, Baker Fire Chief; Bryce Kramlick, Baker Assistant Fire Chief; Steve Zachmann, City of Baker Mayor; Kalyn Bohle, Plevna Fire Chief; Gary Thielen, Town of Plevna Mayor
Discussed switching the fire signs to an evacuation siren for both Baker and Plevna; discussed Dispatch being responsible for activating the sirens. Discussed process of evacuation for residents; will do public outreach once the sirens sounds are resolved. Discussed notification of tests; will check if IPAWS can be used in a testing capacity or if Code Red is the only option. Discussed only utilizing two sirens sounds; shelter in place and evacuation. Desiree will confirm whether the Civil Defense siren is required or not.
11:38 PM 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 Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator and Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk joined the meeting.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Easement & Right of Way Agreement with Bracket Butte Ranch
No discussion at this time; Darcy will create the resolution for the easement.
2. Old business as needed
Discussed the draft EMS mutual aid agreement between Fallon County and Dahl Memorial in Ekalaka; currently have a blanket mutual aid agreement with Ekalaka. Discussed statute for the Planning Board bylaws.
1:37 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:38 PM CLOSED SESSION – UPDATE ON THIELEN’S LITIGATION/ Darcy Wassmann
Commissioner Varner motioned to go into closed session. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commission Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:19 PM Commissioner Rost motioned to come out of closed session. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commission Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:21 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:26 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve November 3-7, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve November 3-7, 2025 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve November 3, 2025 Commission Closed Session Minutes
3. Approve November 5, 2025 Commission Closed Session Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve November 3 & 5, 2025 Commission Closed Session Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on Council on Aging Caravan Incident/ Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder
Discussed van being totaled from hitting a deer; the van will be stripped down and hauled to Baker Metal. The Verizon tracking will be put in the Traverse.
b. Discussion/Decision on Fallon County being removed from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Training Provider Registry
Discussed Carl being a licensed instructor through Fallon County which is about to expire.
Commissioner Varner motioned against renewing for the Training Provider Registry. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; cancelled due to inactivity and do not foresee this being utilized in the future. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision on Certificate of Final Acceptance and Substantial Completion for Fallon Medical Complex gas piping
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve both certificates along with the current payment due in the amount of $3,655.90. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Old Business as needed
Discussed paying for windshield damages that were caused by a larger rock falling out of a Road Department truck that was not properly covered.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the ABC Plus quote for the amount of $475.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
2:40 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2025
VETERANS DAY – COURTHOUSE CLOSED
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2025
ATTEND EASTERN MONTANA AG SUMMIT – FALLON COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
