Commission Minutes – September 7-11, 2026
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 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 GOLF COURSE UPDATES/ Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent
Reported on greens improving. Will discuss closing the course during watering with the Golf Board. Updated on aerating greens and sprinkler maintenance. Requested permission to construct a cement pad for cleaning mowers and equipment. Discussed adding a spicket to the county well. Discussed changing the pin flags for next season.
9:30 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:32 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland, Shop Foreman
1. Permission to recruit operators/ Julie Straub, HRM
Permission granted; motion made during the Commission Work Session.
Reported on road and spillway maintenance. Reported on stolen County gravel from the Sikorski Pit; will reach out to Wyrick’s Construction for permission to put up cameras. Carl reported on vehicle and equipment maintenance; will present a quote for the Landfill end-dump repairs. Discussed asphalt in the Plevna South Road ditch; could be mowed or broken up with the dozer after graveling the road.
9:43 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion
10:00 AM ATTEND TRI-COUNTY 911 BOARD MEETING – LIBRARY EOC
The Commission attended the Tri-County 911 Board Meeting.
11:00 AM BAKER CHAMBER UPDATES/ Kylie Kings, Chamber Executive Director
Updated on new staffing; an assistant has also been hired. Reported on upcoming events and sports.
11:02 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:15 AM OUTSIDE MAINTENANCE UPDATES/ Robbie Christiaens, Outside Maintenance Supervisor
Reported mowing maintenance. Will be blowing irrigations soon and Splash Park has been shut down for the season; Splash Park pump will be serviced. Discussed waterfall and bubbler maintenance; discussed running aerators in the winter only.
11:20 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
Carl Hepperle, member of the public joined the meeting. The Lion’s Club is currently raising funds to purchase a memorial for mothers/pro-life to put in the Lions Club Centennial Park; requesting a letter of support for the statue. Requested the approach to Superior Care Villa to be repaired.
1:24 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Discussion on Parkview Retirement Complex Rental Agreement
Presented language for principal place of residence at Parkview. Discussed having different agreements for retirees. Discussed duration of vacancy and non-residents staying in the apartments while the residents are absent. Discussed language for resident-preferred applications.
2. Discussion on cancelling TK Elevator maintenance agreements
Commissioner Varner motioned to send out official notice of cancellation to TK Elevator services for the Courthouse Elevator. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; Parkview service agreement cannot be cancelled until March 2030. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Review spillway easements for landowners along channel
Will discuss access points with the Road Superintendent.
4. New/Old Business as needed
Currently drafting Amended Road Resolutions for 911 Addressing. Will complete Ambulance Billing policy for review.
5. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation Update (IF NEEDED)
No discussion at this time.
1:52 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 PM SHOOTING RANGE UPDATES/ Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Supervisor
Jim was unable to attend the meeting.
2:30 PM PLANNER & DES UPDATES/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator
Presented a report on the Rattlesnake Complex fire. Updated on five-year inspection for the Upper and Lower Dam. Discussed O&M Manual for the Upper Dam; will be meeting with DNRC to determine process of changing ownership of the Upper Dam. Discussed storage of highway signs. Updated on upcoming trainings and conferences. Currently reviewing changes to the 2025 Subdivision Regulations and BLR Regulations. Updated on AMS system now being managed out of Portland Oregon.
2:42 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:00 PM MUSEUM UPDATES/ Vaughn Zenko, Museum Curator
Presented end of tourism season statistics. Reported on upcoming events. Discussed requesting Tyler Lyson for assistance with the Virtual Dinosaur. Requested permission to attend convention; permission granted. Presented Fallon County Backroad History Loops; possibly apply for grants to create audio tours on the routes.
3:12 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:30 PM FAIRGROUNDS UPDATES/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager; Fair Board Members; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Julie Straub, HRM
Derrick deHaan, Dale Butori and Wendy Wagner, Fair Board members joined the meeting. Requested two additional board members to join the Fair Board; requesting seven instead of five board members. Discussed responsibilities of board members during the fair. Discussed short-term hiring help for fair versus adding two board members; could contract out a rodeo crew to alleviate off the Fair Board. Discussed creating sub-committees within the board. Discussed creating a short-term manager and assistant manager position; could also pay other volunteers similar to election judges.
1. Request to make seasonal lead crew hand a permanent position
Requested creating a full-time position to maintain the facility. Would be forty-hours and moved down to thirty-hours in the winter to maintain benefits; position could also be used at the container site during the off season. Reported on responsibilities that could be done during the winter. Will be added to the Commission Work Session next week.
Discussed required maintenance needed for the 4-H barn metal bleachers. Discussed options for purchasing bleachers; could be utilized for other events besides fair. Will budget for next year.
4:10 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
4:13 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve August 24-28, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve August 24-28, 2026 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve August 24th and 31st, 2026 Closed Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve both August 24th and 31st, 2026 Closed Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on adopting Easement Resolutions #1186
Commissioner Rost motioned to adopt Easement Resolution #1186. 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 adopting Resolution #1188 granting authority to the Sanitarian from the Local Health Officer
Commissioner Varner motioned to adopt Resolution #1188 granting authority to the Sanitarian from the Local Health Officer. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision on to appoint board members to the EMEDA Board
Commissioner Varner motioned to appoint Alissa Miller, Shelby Klus and Jodie Varner as EMEDA Commissioners to the EMEDA Board. 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
Currently waiting for the updated draft from the County Attorney.
e. Discussion/Decision on Memorandum of Understanding with Pam Colombik to provide mental/behavioral health to Fallon County Residents
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Pam Colombik. 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 Allegiance Insurance FSA & HSA Benefits Design Guide
Chairman Braun signed the design guide as of today.
g. Discussion/Decision on Montana’s Older Americans Act Programs Contract from the Area 1 Agency on Aging
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Montana’s Older Americans Act Program Contract. Commissioner Varner 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 Gunderson’s quote for fence maintenance
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve Gunderson’s quote in the amount of $2,303.07. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Permission to recruit Operators for the Road Department
Commissioner Rost motioned to go out for recruitment for two Operators for the Road Department. 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 courthouse pop vending machine
Commissioner Varner motioned to remove the pop vending machine in the Courthouse foyer. Commissioner Rost 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/encroachment and approach permits/zoning compliance (as needed)
6. Discussion/Decision on approve August 2026 End of Month Claims
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve August 2026 End of Month Claims for the amount of $359,674.96. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:40 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 10:30 AM on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
RECESS
10:30 AM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members;
Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
10:30 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
10:52 AM SANITARIAN UPDATES/ Janalee Ferrell, Sanitarian
Currently reaching out to owners of grain elevators in Plevna and Baker. Discussed Junk Vehicle and Mobile Home Application for disposal and release of claim; will require taxes and lien to be paid in full before disposal. Discussed how to allocate the budget in future years; could do four disposals of $500.00 each and waive the tipping fees at the landfill. Will discuss further next for next budget year.
11:08 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:08 AM FALLON MEDICAL COMPLEX UPDATES/ David Espeland, CEO; Marjorie Losing, CFO
Marjorie presented fiscal year 2026 report. Discussed Rural Health Transformation grant funding for EMS. Reported on hospital’s request for qualifications in engineering and architectural services. Discussed replacement of the chiller for Long-Term Care; permission granted to request quotes. Will have the hospital roof repaired without warranty work. Reported on elevator maintenance; currently inoperable.
11:54 AM Being as there is no further business to come before the Commission, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
12:00 PM ATTEND HEALTH BOARD MEETING – FALLON MEDICAL COMPLEX CAFETERIA
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
