Commission Minutes – November 3-7, 2025
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 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
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:45 AM PLANNER/DES UPDATES/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator
Reported on balance of combined roles; updated on floodplain mapping and Code Red. Discussed creating an emergency fund for the community; a donation fund that can be utilized for emergency responders during floods or fires. Updated on siren testing and notifying the citizens; will add siren samples to the website and Facebook. Reported on DES Conference; Emergency Management Preparedness grant (EMPG) was reduced and delayed for counties. Discussed current accessible road maps.
10:04 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:04 AM Commissioner Varner was excused to attend a brief meeting.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Finished Johny Creek Trail. Reported on auto gate maintenance; currently hauling gravel. Presented a quote for chip and sealing that will be budgeted for next year. Discussed purchasing an excavator for culvert and auto gate repairs. Discussed replacing mulchers.
1. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON GRIFFITH STEEL, INC QUOTE FOR AN OVERHEAD DOOR OPERATOR
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the quote for the amount of $3,200.00. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.
Discussed going out for bids on an excavator just to see where prices sit. Commissioner Rost reported a plugged culvert on the Old Willard Hall approach that will need cleaned out.
10:23 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:23 AM OUTSIDE MAINTENANCE/PARKVIEW UPDATES/ Robbie Christiaens, Outside Maintenance Supervisor; Derrick deHaan, Outside Maintenance Facilities Manager
Discussed trenching a ditch and installing a sock from the amphitheater parking lot; spread gravel over the section that is mostly hardpan gumbo. Reported on equipment maintenance and painting at Parkview.
10:26 AM Commissioner Varner joined the meeting.
1. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON TK ELEVATOR REPAIR WORK ORDER FOR PARKVIEW 1
Commissioner Braun signed the document on Friday, October 31st.
Parts should be on order. Currently there is a boiler down at Parkview.
10:34 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:34 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
Shannon called into the meeting. Will be setting up a GIS road map meeting next week. Rich reported on winterizing the chlorination shed. Requested to convert the copper lines to PVC; permission granted.
10:38 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:02 AM WEED UPDATES/ Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator
Three to four individuals will be returning for the next season. Updated on winterizing spray equipment. Spray Days will be January 7th, 2026; working with Little Beaver Conservation District on agenda. Discussed having Kodie Olsen, 4-H Program Coordinator be a temporary driver to help spray off the last of the chemical; Sara will discuss further with David Kirschten, Extension Agent.
11:08 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:13 AM MUSEUM UPDATES/ Vaughn Zenko, Museum Curator
Presented visitor numbers for the month of October. Reported on partnering with the school for several activities. The museum was accepted for Smithsonian Civics Program (250 Year Celebration Grant); will involve the schools US government class. Reported on grant for mental health, arts and culture. Discussed setting up a Venmo account for donations; Vaughn will ask the Treasurer. Discussed volunteer forms; will not be able to submit volunteer time for Historical Society events. Discussed purchasing display shelving from Baker Drug for the museum.
11:29 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:29 AM INSIDE MAINTENANCE UPDATES/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodian Supervisor
Reported on new lock for the generator room. Currently waiting for MTI to clean boilers. Repaired leaking vent tube; discussed replacing outdated valves for the offices’ heaters.
11:33 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:43 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON WORK RELATED TRAVEL POLICY 1.22/ Kimberly Jensen, Payroll Clerk; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Julie Straub, HRM
Reviewed the current 1.22 Policy. Discussed adding a limit or set amount of time a fleet vehicle can be checked out; the Commission is against fleet vehicles being used for more than seven consecutive days without Commission approval. Discussed liability of having non-county employees in the vehicle without permission. Discussed limiting usage of county vehicles if it’s only one individual.
12:10 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.
1:34 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Easement & Right of Way Agreement with Bracket Butte Ranch
The landowners will be in to sign the easement later this week. Darcy will create the resolution for next week.
2. Old business as needed
1:36 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:36 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.
1:45 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.
1:45 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 PM SHOOTING RANGE UPDATES/ Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Supervisor; Shane Bettenhausen, Match Manager
Shane was unable to attend the meeting. Updated on contacting Cyberus to finish installing the fobs and camera; estimated to start mid-December and take a month to complete. Reported on increased interest in shooting matches. Updated on sealing the leak that was in the ceiling; other spots will be inspected.
2:20 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:30 PM BAKER POST OFFICE UPDATE – ZOOM MEETING/ John Sandness, USPS; Tabitha Stephenson, USPS; Steve Zachmann, City of Baker Mayor
Janella Herron, USPS joined the meeting via zoom. Discussed a modular unit will be arriving November 11th and will be operational around November 15th. Mayor Zachmann requested the property lines to be assessed; current plans show the modular will be protruding into the alley behind the current post office so the property lines will need to be identified on the north side of the current building. The Commission offered the exhibit hall parking lot as an alternate location if the current location becomes difficult. Commissioner Rost asked if the USPS would be putting public notifications in the newspaper; will be adding these questions to a list that will be answered for the public. Zoom call was ended with USPS.
Rochelle Conroy, Molly Losing and Ray Losing asked about the current Post Office building and the other accommodations offered for the Post Office.
Mayor Zachmann stated that the City will not be hindering the building being placed; only concern is blocking the alley and covering the damaged sewer line that goes to the building.
3:08 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:15 PM LANDFILL UPDATES/ Jeff Frank, Manager of Landfill Operations
1. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON UPCOMING HOLIDAY HOURS
Landfill and Container Site will be open until noon on Christmas Eve.
3:18 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
- Approve October 27 – 31, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve October 27 – 31, 2025 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commission Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve October 27, 2025 Commission Closed Session Minutes
3. Approve October 28, 2025 Commission Closed Session Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve October 27 & 28, 2025 Commission Closed Session Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commission Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on reimbursing The Rental Shop, LLC on trimming lake shore trees
There was no discussion or motion made.
b. Discussion/Decision on Outlay Report & Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs for the airport
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Outlay Report & Request for the airport. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commission Braun asked for any further discussion; will confirm with. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on Bracket Butte Ranch agreement for the TV Board
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Bracket Butte Ranch easement. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commission Braun asked for any further discussion; Commissioner Braun will be abstaining. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Abstained. Motion carried.
6. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
7. Approve October 2025 Payroll & Withholdings
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve October 2025 Payroll & Withholdings for the amount of $745,793.21. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commission Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
8. Approve October 2025 End of Month Claims
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve October 2025 End of Month Claims for the amount of $225,537.59. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commission Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025
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.
10:00 AM FALLON MEDICAL UPDATES/ David Espeland, CEO; Marjorie Losing, CFO
Marjorie called into the meeting. Marjorie presented September financials. Discussed Parkview elevator maintenance service. Discussed doing a change order if TK Elevator is unable to fix the elevator by the time Otis and Sletten come for the hospital renovations.
1. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON FMC RENOVATIONS CHANGE ORDER REQUEST
Discussed items on the presented change order. David explained addition item on the change order; discovered exterior door with surface damage.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the presented change order #001, #003, #004, #005 (#002 is a credit) for the amount of $55,650.72. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
David reported on recommendations that were added to the renovations; surge protector on the elevator, current lift has a tariff but will search for a replacement in the country. Flooring demo will start November 15th.
2. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON COST REPORT SETTLEMENTS
Discussed settlements for related party costs compared to last year.
Commissioner Rost motioned to forgive the settlement. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; discussed how forgiving the payable would benefit the hospital – reiterated that cost is based off payables towards Medicare. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
10:54 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:57 AM GOLF COURSE UPDATES/ Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent
Currently blowing out irrigation lines; still clearing out black algae from the sprinkler heads. Discussed draining pond to inspect the intake; Commission advised against draining the irrigation pond until the liner project. Reported on winterizing pumps and chlorination shed; Commission reported on approving the copper line replacement. Will drain the fairgrounds tank and sand the greens. Discussed winter projects at the golf course shop and assisting Outside Maintenance with plowing snow.
11:13 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:30 AM CLOSED PERSONNEL– PREDISCPLINARY MEETING/ Kodie Olsen, 4-H Program Coordinator; David Kirschten, Extension Agent; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Braun asked Kodie if she would like the meeting to be closed.
Commissioner Rost motioned to go into closed session. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
11:42 AM Commissioner Varner motioned to come out of closed session. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Rost motioned to give a written warning to Kodie Olsen. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
11:44 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
