Commission Minutes – October 13-17, 2025
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2025
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE IS CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF COLUMBUS DAY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 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 CEMETERY UPDATES/ Chanse Hoenke, Seasonal Cemetery Caretaker
Reported on grounds and equipment maintenance; discussed mower attachment upgrades. Will contact Larry Dahl, Plevna Cemetery Caretaker for meetings going forward.
9:50 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Bryan reported on road maintenance; will be using the seeder from the golf course for Ismay Road South. Currently installing culverts and winterizing equipment. Presented quotes for two plows, road salt and gutter replacements for the shops. Discussed scoria and gravel piles.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Woody’s Construction gutter quote for the amount of $7,236.00 and the Westlie Truck Center plows quote for the amount of $35,164.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussed removing trees that are currently in the ditch/County right of way. Reported on moving TV Board building from Lookout Tower to the Old Landfill; will leave the building there for a month before deciding to relocate. Mitch and Carl reported on vehicle and equipment maintenance.
10:13 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:14 AM FAIRGROUNDS UPDATES/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager
Updated to the upcoming fair board meeting. Presented a quote for foldable chairs and livestock barn repairs.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the American Commercial Furniture, LLC chair and dolly quote for the amount of $20,010.82. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; will allow the old foldable chairs to be utilized by the community if needed.
3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Currently winterizing equipment and organizing inventory.
10:21 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:45 AM PERMISSION TO PURCHASE LAPTOP/ Rich Menger, Sanitarian; Josh Lewis, IT Director; Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
Discussed replacing Rich’s current MacBook. The MacBook was not budgeted for this fiscal year; will take out of the Oil and Gas fund then have the Sanitarian budget reimburse it next fiscal year.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the purchase of a MacBook from the Oil & Gas Fund. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
10:47 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:00 AM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve October 6 – 10, 2025 Commission Minutes
2. Approve October 6th, 2025 Commission Closed Session Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the October 6-10, 2025 Commission Minutes and the October 6th, 2025 Commission Closed Session Minutes. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Abstained. (Commissioner Rost, due to absence last week). Motion carried.
3. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on Chronic Disease Program Agreement with Richland County Health Department
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the agreement. 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 Intergovernmental Transfer for Ambulance Supplemental Payment
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the invoice for the amount of $625.88. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision on revised Communications Dispatch Supervisor & 911 Coordinator job description
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the revised job description. Commissioner Rost 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 Bracket Butte Ranch agreement for the TV Board
Have not received easement for the landowners.
b. Discussion/Decision on Standard Short Agreement with Sletten Construction
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the agreement. 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)
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. Restitution amount for damage to the livestock barn
Discussed approving a quote to repair the tin siding and guard rail at the livestock barn; discussed restitution process if the individual disputes the presented quote. Will ask for additional quotes for the repairs.
2. Easement & Right of Way Agreement with Bracket Butte Ranch
Have not heard back from the landowners regarding the easement.
3. Old business as needed
Commissioner Varner presented a list of maps that were found in regard to the Thielen Settlement.
1:44 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:08 PM EMS UPDATES/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager
Reported on recent on-calls and stats. Discussed online education; County could pay for five EMTs refresher trainings for a total of $50.00/month. Commission granted permission to use the Ambulance donation fund to purchase the online education.
1. Permission to purchase EMS bags
Reviewed quote for new oxygen, trauma, first-in, pediatric, med and IV bags; three bags of each for each ambulance. New bags would be easier to clean and maintain.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the EMS bags for the amount of $3,557.87. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussed recent trainees waiting to retake the EMT tests.
2. Discussion/Decision on moving forward with a Preliminary Architectural Report for a new ambulance garage
Discussed reaching out to architects for a quote on a Preliminary Architectural Report (PAR); Commission would review quotes to determine how to move forward with the project.
2:22 PM 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
