Commission Minutes – October 12-16, 2026
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 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.
9:00 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:15 AM DISCUSSION ON UPPER BAKER DAM OWNERSHIP AND OPERATOR CHANGE/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator; Steve Zachmann, City of Baker Mayor; Paul Smidansky and Scott Christiaens, NRCS Representatives; Brent Zundel, DNRC Representative
Reviewed history of the Upper Baker Dam; discussed having the County take responsibility for the Operations and Maintenance plan of the dam. Discussed process of transitioning ownership of the dam.
9:41 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland, Shop Foreman
1. Permission to hire Operators/ Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Bruce Higbee and Seth Eslinger as Operators. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; three individuals were interviewed. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Reported on Troy Hess becoming the new Road Foreman effective today. Reported on start dates for the new Operators. Updated on mowing and road maintenance; Plevna Road South and Coral Creek Road.
2. Discussion on side-dump quotes
Reviewed side-dump quotes from RDO and Western Truck; recommended purchasing Cross Country Triple Axle from RDO.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the RDO quote for the amount of $79,550.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for further discussion; there is no excise tax. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motioned carried unanimously.
Requested to purchase a new Superintendent 3/4-ton work truck with a plow to assist with plowing while viewing roads; will present quotes at a later date for a decision. Carl reported on equipment and vehicle maintenance. Discussed maintenance on Airport Road and Duck Creek Road.
10:23 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion
10:30 AM OUTSIDE MAINTENANCE UPDATES/ Robbie Christiaens, Outside Maintenance Supervisor
Reported on sprinkler and equipment maintenance. Updated on Dam Conference; discussed mowing for dam maintenance. Reported on rock maintenance for Iron Horse Park. Discussed waterfall repairs and bubbler replacements; will only run the bubblers in the winter going forward. Docks have been pulled except for by the Iron Horse. Currently waiting for cement pad to install new lake bench.
10:36 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:36 AM Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent joined the meeting.
10:36 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
1. Discussion/Decision on 6th Street Box Culvert
- Asphalt Quote
Discussed holding off on the box culvert project due to Road Department being shorthanded; could schedule for next summer and have equipment staged if weather permits completing later this fall. Box culvert will be delivered on October 28th.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Wyrick’s Construction quote for the amount of $25,500.00. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motioned carried unanimously.
- Crane Quote
Reviewed Mitchell’s Crane quote; will update Mitchell’s Crane on changes to the project.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve Mitchell’s Crane quote up to $12,010.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motioned carried unanimously.
- 7F Services Contract
Reviewed completed Change Order with 7F Services.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Change Order with 7F Services. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motioned carried unanimously.
Presented completed Reserved Water User Annual Status Report for the Little Beaver Conservation District. Updated on GIS and Road Plat map. Discussed golf course irrigation pond; will need to revisit with the State in regards to tests not meeting their requirements. Updated on City of Baker requesting Brosz to review Cell 3 of the lagoon; did not receive funding so has been put on hold until next summer. Discussed chlorine not being able to eliminate the total coliforms when the lagoon turns over. Requested to have a filtration company review the data and submit a proposal; will discuss further during the Commission work session
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 Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent and Trent Harbaugh, Sheriff joined the meeting.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Review spillway easements for landowners along channel
No discussion at this time.
2. Review Amended Road Resolutions for 911 Addressing
Presented Amended Road Resolutions for 911 Addressing; currently drafting last two. Discussed Valley Road; landowners are not interested in an easement.
3. Discussion on Resolution to trade land for City Debt
No discussion at this time
4. Review TK Elevator Maintenance Agreement
No discussion at this time
5. New/Old Business as needed
6. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation Update (IF NEEDED)
1:32 PM Chairman Braun closed the session.
2:13 PM Chairman Braun opened the session.
Received a settlement offer from Robert and Melissa Thielen; no decision has been made.
2:14 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:22 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve October 5-9, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve October 5-9, 2026 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the minutes. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on TAB Electronics two-way radio quote for EMS
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the TAB Electronics quote for the amount of $4,136.10. 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 JGA Architects Agreement for drafting Ambulance Garage prints
Discussed terms of the agreement; questioned construction phase being as the Commission has not decided whether to build the ambulance garage at this time. Will discuss further with JGA Architects.
c. Discussion/Decision to renew Selbys Preventive Maintenance Agreement for the plotter printer
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Selbys Preventive Maintenance Agreement. No second was made, motion failed.
Discussed terms in regards to charges per call; will wait for clarification from Josh Lewis, IT Director.
d. Discussion/Decision on side-dump quotes
Decision was made earlier during Road Updates.
e. Discussion/Decision on DIS Technologies cameras quote for the Sheriff’s office
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the DIS Technologies quote for the amount of $11,764.28. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
f. Discussion/Decision on TK Elevator Maintenance Agreement
No discussion at this time. Currently waiting for County Attorney to review updated agreement.
2:32 PM Josh Lewis, IT Director joined the meeting.
Discussed Selbys Preventive Maintenance Agreement; Josh will get clarification from Selbys. Discussed DIS Technologies quote for remaining Courthouse camera replacements; permission granted. Discussed CivicPlus quote for updating ADA compliance on the website; MACo does not have options available at this time so Josh will research for more affordable options.
2:40 PM Josh Lewis left the meeting.
g. Discussion/Decision on Shooting Range’s request to have a bow compressor at the range
Currently waiting for additional information; will discuss further at a later date.
h. Discussion/Decision on Parkview Retirement Complex Application
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Parkview Retirement Complex Application. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Old Business as needed
2:54 PM Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodian Supervisor joined the meeting.
a. Discussion/Decision on Courthouse AHU-5 VFD replacement quote.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Mechanical Technology Incorportated HVAC Proposal for the amount of $9,500.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; for the control unit in the library basement. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachment and approach permits/zoning compliance (as needed)
2:55 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:30 PM Commissioner Braun was excused to attend a meeting. Steve Zachmann, City of Baker Mayor; Dan Dinstel and Pamela Castleberry, Carter County Commissioners joined the meeting.
3:30 PM DISCUSSION ON COMMUNITY BENEFIT AGREEMENTS/ Terra Burman, EPEDC Executive Director; Jaime Shanks, EPEDC Community Development Specialist; Jacob Cote, Montana Department of Commerce CTAP
Reported on Community Benefit Agreements between the County and Bridger Pipeline. Presented examples and resources available for communities; would address concerns for the community with development in the county. Discussed CIPs within the counties. Updated on MACo Conference recommendation to state mandate Community Benefit Agreements. Discussed projects in Fallon County and the surrounding area that had similar agreements.
4:23 PM Vice Chairman Rost ended the discussion. 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
