Commission Minutes – November 2-6, 2026
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 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 ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland, Shop Foreman
Bryan reported on 6th Street box culvert project; will finish backfilling for contractors to lay asphalt. Currently blading and laying scoria. The Commission reported on the City possibly doing work on Monroe Street; County should also replace crossing with a box culvert and add cement floors to channel. Discussed clearing out the silt and laying concrete flooring by the spillway. Carl reported on equipment and vehicle maintenance. New Superintendent work truck will be in tomorrow; will present v-plow quotes next week.
9:50 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ATTEND BRIDGER PIPELINE EXPANSION COOPERATORS MEETING – ZOOM MEETING/ BLM Representatives & Cooperators
The Commission attended the Cooperators meeting.
10:30 AM GOLF COURSE UPDATES/ Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent
Irrigation lines have been blown out; few sprinkler heads still need flushed out. Reported on equipment maintenance. Plan to level out fairways/tee boxes and replace damaged sprinkler heads this winter. Cleaned out pump house; discussed rebuilding pump house to improve ventilation. Discussed leak on lagoon pump buoys. Received new greens mower. Reported on building a small, temporary wash pad with miscellaneous pavers. Updated on upcoming trainings and classes in the winter.
10:41 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:58 AM COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER UPDATES/ Mindi Murnion, Community Health Worker
Reported on October statistics. Updated on Catalyst for Change program; discussed process of assisting schools. Reported on working alongside Tracey Goerndt, Another Chance Recovery on addiction counseling.
11:07 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. Review draft Fallon County Ordinance
Reviewed draft county ordinance; discussed proposed changes and included statutes that pertain to county property. Discussed leased land that is used for agriculture purposes; currently County property is to be utilized by the public similar to State property.
1:36 PM Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff joined the meeting.
Discussed having ordinances for different classifications of land within Fallon County. Discussed state statue on County Land Board; currently no public members so the Commission is the County Land Board by default. Discussed currently adopting ordinance and amending with more detail in the near future; Commissioner Rost and Darcy will determine classifications to include in the ordinance.
2. Review spillway easements for landowners along channel
No discussion at this time.
3. Discussion on Resolution to trade land for City Debt
Triangle Park COS is currently under review.
4. Review TK Elevator Maintenance Agreement
Redlines will be sent to TK Elevator for review.
5. New/Old Business as needed
Updated on status of MacKay Cattle Crossing Easement; Darcy will reach out to landowner.
6. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation Update (IF NEEDED)
Cal Stacey has filed the County’s answers for the litigation.
1:49 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve October 26-30, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the October 26-30, 2026 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Varner 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 an endorsement letter for the museum expansion
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the endorsement letter for the museum expansion. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion/Decision on FY26 Audit Contract with Olness & Associates and Extension Request for the Annual Financial Report
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the FY26 Audit Contract and Extension Request for the Annual Financial Report with Olness & Associates. 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 on JGA Architects Proposal for drafting Ambulance Garage prints
Will discuss closer to the end of the year.
b. Discussion/Decision on TK Elevator Maintenance Agreement
Red-lines will be sent to TK Elevator for review.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachment and approach permits/zoning compliance (as needed)
5. Discussion/Decision to approve October 2026 Payroll & Withholdings
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the October 2026 Payroll & Withholdings for the amount of $720,789.85. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Discussion/Decision to approve October 2026 End of Month Claims
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the October 2026 End of Month Claims for the amount of $229,362.88. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:19 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:30 PM FAIR FOOD BOOTH DISCUSSION/ Steve Zachmann; Debbi Jo Varner; Rod Kilsdonk, Members of the Public; Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager; Fair Board Members
Rod Kilsdonk expressed concern on the amount of food trucks with menu overlap with the local food booths during the annual fair; requested limiting the amount of non-local food trucks during the fair. This request was presented to the Fair Board prior to this meeting. Steve Zachmann expressed that the number of options affects Knights of Columbas booth more than overlap. Debbie Varner expressed out of town vendors coming in bringing food hurts non-profits. The Commission stated that the decision on the amount of vendors/food trucks and the options is left up to the Fair Board to minimize micromanaging from the Commission.
3:36 PM Dale Butori, Fair Board Member joined the meeting.
Dale Burtori stated that the public was very pleased by the variety; discussed specialty food prices versus basic. Discussed vendor booths that were participating this year; three non-profit vendors, three non-local food trucks, three local food trucks. 4-H also had a steak dinner fundraiser during the fair. Steve stated that the food trucks are offering more meal options which is affecting the local food booths more than the overlap. Jennefer explained some of the requests or popular options during the fair; mini donuts, coffee, pizza.
3:49 PM Thereasa Myers, Devour Me food trailer joined the meeting.
Thereasa expressed willingness to limit overlap with non-profit food booths at the fair. Jennefer stated there were several events like the Sturgis Rally overlapping the fair this year; stats were down across the board. Discussed feedback on the variety from the community. Another discussion will be scheduled before fair.
3:57 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until Wednesday, November 4th at 9:30 AM.
RECESS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026
ELECTION DAY – FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE CLOSED
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2026
9:30 AM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
9:30 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:53 AM MUSEUM UPDATES/ Vaughn Zenko, Museum Curator
Reported on October visitor stats. Updated on Night at the Museum event and Dinosaur Dimensions. Dinosaur Virtual Reality exhibit will be set up around late June. Discussed returning some of the old vehicles and doubled up tractors to create more space. Updated on ghost tours; currently drafting rental agreement for the County Attorney to review.
10:00 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:03 AM FALLON MEDICAL COMPLEX UPDATES/ Jason McClellan, CEO; Marjorie Losing, CFO
Reviewed September financials. Discussed lining bare space along front of hospital with memorial bricks and planters; will present final concept at a later date. Updated on hospital roof repairs and bid process; will request specifications from Thiel Bros Roofing for the bidding process. Updated on the underground fuel tanks and generators; Con’eer Engineering will draft an engineer’s proposal to replace the fuel tanks. Will research converting the generators to gas. Long-term Care chiller specifications will be drafted for the bidding process. Received and accepted seven Request for Qualifications in engineering and architectural services. Updated on lift and elevator maintenance. Updated on Montana Hospital Association member submitting a Senate Bill to create ambulance districts that could receive reimbursements. Discussed creating an outline to present to the public when the hospital requests possible mill levies. Discussed state recruitment process for permanent placement of doctors/physicians in rural hospitals.
10:37 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:39 AM COMMISSION WORK SESSION CONTINUED (IF NEEDED)
1. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision to adopt Resolutions #2002 Declaring Fallon County’s Intent to sell the following Real Property: Parcel 1 (COS 0110599) in Section 15, T7N, R59E, MPM
Commission have received a certified proposal. A public hearing will be held on Monday, November 9th with a possible auction to follow at a later date.
Commissioner Varner motioned to adopt Resolution #2002 Declaring Fallon County’s Intent to sell the Real Property Parcel 1 (COS 0110599) in Section 15, T7N, R59E, MPM. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
10:40 AM Being as there is no further business to come before the Commission, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
