Commission Minutes – September 1 – September 5, 2025
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2025
LABOR DAY – COURTHOUSE CLOSED
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2025
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members.
Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
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
Jeff Frank, Landfill Manager, met to update the Commission the tire shredder will be here Friday, September 5, 2025. The contractor would like permission to work Saturday and Sunday. Also, Jeff may need to come in Saturday and/or Sunday to fuel them up. Permission granted for the contractor to be on site to shred during the weekend and Jeff may come in as needed as well. They feel it will take them 5 days to complete the shredding.
9:15 AM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve August 25-29, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve August 25-29, 2025 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 DES & Planner wages/ Desiree Thielen, DES/Planner; Julie Straub, HRM
Desiree handed the Commission her written proposal regarding starting wage, wage increase provisions, overtime provisions and additional staffing. Discussed overtime and clearly defined documentation for future decisions regarding additional assistance. Wages were discussed with the Top Tier being $34.00 over the 5-year period. Discussed which tier to start Desiree as she has 6-years Planning experience. Desiree is currently still in probation for the DES position. Overtime will be addressed when it happens. Desiree will contact the Commission, for approval, prior to working OT. Discussed process for achieving certification as a Planner and additional DES certifications. Discussed whether this would be achieved on Desiree or county time. Julie stated the certifications should be compensable, (achieved during work hours). Compensation was discussed and following prior practices so as not to set new precedence. Probation period was also discussed. Currently, the county’s employment practice is to complete 6-month probation when adding or moving positions. Decision to start at Tier 4 or $33.50 and $34.00 after final 6-month probation. This will not affect vacation, sick leave or longevity. Discussed what will happen if this does not work.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to start Desiree at Tier 4 as Planner/DES Coordinator – $33.50 per hour. 6-month probation will start as of the new pay period (August 23, 2025), with completion of probation to move to Tier 5 at $34.00 per hour. Commissioner Varner seconds the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any discussion. Commissioner Rost stated if probation is extended Desiree will remain at Tier 4. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Desiree is working with Brenda Hoeger, Dispatch/911 Supervisor during the transition period. Desiree would like to keep operations in her current office space.
b. Discussion/Decision on Grant of Temporary Construction Easement with Mackay Ranch LLLP (David Mackay)
Commissioner Rost motioned to accept the Grant of Temporary Construction Easement. 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 Congregate and Home Delivered Meals Agreement with Fallon Medical Complex
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Delivered Meals Agreement. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision on Parkview Retirement Complex Rental Agreement
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Rental Agreement with Parkview tenant. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
e. Permission to pay membership fees for both the Montana and National Golf Course Superintendent Association
f. Permission to attend the Northwest GCSA Turfgrass Expo in Idaho
Commissioner Varner made the motion to approve the dues and training attendance in Idaho for both Superintendents. Commissioner Rost seconds the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
g. Discussion/Decision on Bound Tree quote for training supplies
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Bound Tree quote. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
h. Discussion/Decision on charging patients the Gold Cross finance fee for the ambulance billing service
No decision at this time; will be put back on the agenda for next week.
h. Discussion/Decision on Baker & Plevna K-12 Schools FY 2026 Budget Reports
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve signing the FY 2026 Budget Reports for the schools. 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 Roddy M. Rost Easement
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the easement with Roddy & Maxine Rost. Commissioner Braun stepped aside to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Abstain (Commissioner Rost). Motion carried.
b. Discussion/Decision on State of Emergency MOU with Spartan Bus Line, LLC
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Memorandum of Understanding. 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 Catalyst for Change Amendment to Agreement
Do not have the agreement in our possession; will be placed back on the agenda.
d. Discussion/Decision on Toro NSN Service Plan Renewal Agreement
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Renewal Agreement-Essential Plan. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any discussion. This will pay for a 3-year lump sum plan. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
10:12 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
Encroachment permits for Mid-Rivers and Mackay Ranch, LLLP were signed and recorded.
10:13 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Bryan discussed the golf course waterline that was dug up and patched. Discussed low maintenance road that will receive scoria (Jason Bechtold); another landowner asked for the scoria to be continued ½ mile further (Emil Sieler). Permission granted for the road to receive a thin layer of scoria on this road. There will be a meeting Thursday (September 4, 2025) at 10:00 AM regarding the powerlines pertaining to work on the South Ismay Road. The work is scheduled to begin next week or the week after. Road crew will start graveling tomorrow on Stark’s. Discussed work areas, with no access to water, when needed. Discussed a tanker found for sale for $17,000; permission granted to purchase the tanker. If possible, discussed using golf course irrigation water when working on the roads. Commission discussed billing the golf course budget when performing work for them. Bryan stated all supplies used were billed to the golf course. Road Superintendent vehicle was serviced and now has 110,000 miles on it. Commission discussed keeping the pickup for another department, when ready to trade. At this time the plan is to budget for the pickup next fiscal year. Mitch discussed RDO completing warranty work on a loader.
Carl discussed work requested by the Manager of Landfill Operations regarding the hook truck. Would like an engine brake installed; in checking the only one found is through CAT -$4,021 plus extra for wiring, etc. Commission asked about necessity; Carl feels it would save on the rear drive trane, s-cams, etc. Jeff was going to talk to the Commission about this.
Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent stayed for the following meeting.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
South Ismay Road-There will be an onsite meeting at 10AM Thursday to discuss road work and will include Southeast Electric and Mid-Rivers. Shannon stated Brosz is out surveying right now and will discuss the process with SE as well as any associated costs. The east side fence has been removed; Mid Rivers will attend due to the fiber project they are working on in that area. Mark Sieler, Road Foreman will attend due to his knowledge of the water issues in that area. Brosz will run the hydrology, as an additional culvert may need to be added.
Knolls gravel-Shannon stated the gravel met specs fairly well. There is more clay, so has a natural binder.
10:41 AM Bryan left the meeting.
Golf course irrigation line maintenance was discussed; hope to pig the line this week. Discussed the testing process with Rich and the wait time necessary to get fresh water to be tested. Rich discussed the volume of water and the length of wait time may cause excess water levels.
Road mapping project-Kady is working on final maps.
Flood Plain meeting-Waiting for Nadene Wadsworth, DNRC regarding meeting plans.
Water rights-Shannon has a few things left to complete.
10:48 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
Commission was notified the County Attorney would not be able to meet until 11:45 AM. The Commission will move forward with End of Month Claims approvals until 11:30 AM and will then proceed with the Budget Hearing, as scheduled.
11:30 AM FY26 FINAL BUDGET HEARING/ADOPT RESOLUTION #1159 APPROVING THE FY26 BUDGET AND SETTING MILL LEVIES
Commissioner Braun opened the FY26 Final Budget Hearing.
No one appeared to be heard for or against the FY26 Final Budget.
11:45 AM Chairman Braun closed the FY26 Final Budget Hearing.
11:45 AM Chairman Braun moved to the County Attorney Work Session.
11:45 AM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
- Review draft Settlement for the Thielen’s
Discussed the email sent by Thielen’s Attorney, (Casey Heitz), regarding edits to the County’s proposed
settlement agreement and release. Darcy discussed what the county’s settlement consisted of and what the Thielen’s would like to edit (which roads to include, no global release of all claims; settlement amount determined by 3 different land valuators).
Discussed options for the county if a decision is not made today. Discussed the threat that there is a possibility the upcoming hearing will not happen, due to filing of an injunction by the Thielen’s. Discussed that would be the Judge’s decision to accept or decline.
Darcy stated one of the Thielen’s Attorney’s asked that Commissioner Braun recuse himself from the decision. Discussed the process if an injunction were to be filed by Thielen’s; and if the Judge granted the injunction. Commissioner Braun stated in regard to Thielen’s Attorney to recuse himself from a decision regarding this road. No matter what decision the Judge would make would not affect Commissioner Braun in any way. Per the AG’s office the only time a commissioner is in violation of ethics is if it benefits them financially. This particular road does not have any financial benefit for any of the Commissioner’s. It is not about the Thielen’s, but about all roads in Fallon County.
All Commissioner’s agreed to take no action on the settlement at this time and move forward with the hearing next Tuesday.
- Old business as needed
No old business was discussed.
12:19 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion and moved on the completion of the Commission Work Session.
WORK SESSION CONTINUED:
ADOPT RESOLUTION #1159 APPROVING THE FY26 BUDGET AND SETTING MILL LEVIES
Commissioner Rost made the motion to adopt Resolution #1159 approving the FY26 Budget and Setting Mill Levies. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVE AUGUST 2025 END OF MONTH CLAIMS
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve August 2025 End of Month Claims for the amount of $1,092,402.92. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any discussion. Commissioner Braun noted half of this amount was for gravel; Commissioner Rost stated over ½ was for gravel. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. APPROVE AUGUST 2025 PAYROLL AND WITHHOLDING
12:41 Commissioner Rost motioned to approve August 2025 Payroll and Withholdings for the amount of $747,951.33. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
12:43 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
