Commission Minutes – November 17-21, 2025
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Vice Chairman; Mandi Varner, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week.
9:45 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Currently working on Johny Creek Trail. Updated on culverts and pulling berms. Reported on Road Operators attending LTAP.
1. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON RDO EQUIPMENT CO. QUOTE FOR DISC MOWERS
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the quote for the amount of $11,450.00. Vice Chairman Rost stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any further discussion; allowed to move forward with a lower quote if one is turned in. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun) Motion carried.
Carl and Mitch reported on vehicle and equipment maintenance. RDO reported on loaders having the capability to have StarLink installed; would be a subscription cost for the fleet.
10:12 AM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES & GIS WORK SESSION/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Kady York, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian; Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk; Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator
Reported on the DNRC letter of insufficiency for the Beneficial Water Use Permit to lagoon cell 3. Updated on Final Report Certificate of Compliance for the North Baker Water & Sewer District Project.
Reviewed changes made to the GIS road map.
11:54 PM Vice Chairman Rost 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 LANDFILL INSPECTION UPDATE/ Barry Damschen, Landfill Engineer
Barry reported on the latest methane levels on the backfill at the landfill; discussed utilizing tire shreds for backfill. Discussed current balance of employees. Discussed finding a replacement landfill engineer.
1:44 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:00 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Easement & Right of Way Resolution with Bracket Butte Ranch
Reviewed draft Resolution; will correct the tower’s purpose.
2. Review Mutual Aid Agreement with Dahl Memorial
Discussed liability of EMS services and billing for ambulance services.
3. Review Revised Planning Board By-Laws
Discussed requested revisions from the Planning Board.
4. Old business as needed
2:15 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 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.
2:23 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.
2:30 PM Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder/Election Administrator; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder/Deputy Election Administrator and Kathy Newell, Elections Clerk joined the meeting.
2:30 PM COUNTY CANVASS
The Commission reviewed the Municipal Canvass for the Mayor and Ward 1 City Council Member.
2:39 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:45 PM Julie Straub, HRM and Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.
2:45 PM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON REVISED POLICY 1.22 WORK RELATED TRAVEL POLICY
Reviewed revised policy.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the revised policy 1.22. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; effective immediately. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:51 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:13 PM PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES/ Kim Bryan, Public Health Director
Reported on vaccinations. Filed for a limited-service pharmacy license for Family Planning. Presented training for the Community Health Worker position; will have hours on Friday and Saturday.
3:18 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve November 10, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve November 10, 2025 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve November 10, 2025 Commission Closed Session Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve November 10, 2025 Commission Closed Session Minutes. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on Big Sky Mini Barns quote for the Cemetery shop
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the quote for the amount of $4,005.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion/Decision on Request for Proposal to add surge protection to Fallon Medical Complex lift
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the request for proposal Change order #006 in the amount of $221.68. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on Final Report Certificate of Compliance for the North Baker Water & Sewer District project
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the final report. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Review pre-approved change order for Fallon Medical Complex Renovations
The chairman signed the change order
c. Request for County Christmas Party funds.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the $1,000.00 to go towards the Christmas Party. 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)
6. Approve November 2025 Mid-Month Claims
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve November 2025 Mid-Month Claims in the amount of $954,836.10. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; reflected that the amount is higher due to gravel, EBMS and repeaters. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
4:03 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025
ATTEND SAFETY MEETING
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
