Commissioner Minutes – July 20-24, 2026
MONDAY, JULY 20, 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.
9:13 AM PERMISSION TO RECRUIT FOR BUS DRIVERS/ Carla Brown, Council on Aging Director; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Rost motioned to recruit for a Bus Driver. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
PERMISSION TO HIRE EXTENSION ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator
Commissioner Rost motioned to hire Madison Butori as the Administrative Assistant for Extension. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussed current working hour. Reported on 4-H liaison being a 4-H Clerk this year at the fair.
9:17 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:30 AM PERMISSION TO HIRE PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALIST/ Kim Bryan, Public Health Director; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Karla Kings as the Public Health Specialist. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
PERMISSION TO INCREASE HEATHER HARRISON’S WAGE FOR COMPLETING PUBLIC HEALTH BILLING
Discussed increasing Heather’s wage now that she has been doing Public Health billing for a few months. Will report how much time is spent on billing per week.
9:33 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:45 AM BUILDING MAINTENANCE UPDATES/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodian Supervisor
1. Update on Sheriff Office AC Unit replacement
Reported on wrong ac unit being delivered for the Sheriff Office; correct one has been ordered. Discussed billing and other issues with Mechanical Technologies Incorporated.
2. Permission to purchase AC Unit for the library
Discussed replacing the ac unit for the library. Commissioner Rost suggested adding more shades to the library windows in the mean time. Discussed replacing the broken condenser unit versus the whole unit. Commissioner Varner requested more installation quotes from local and other companies.
10:01 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:02 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland, Mechanic
Reported on chip sealing roads. Will need an additional eleven tons of oil to finish the golf course cart paths and Iron Horse Park parking lot; permission granted. Reported on road maintenance for West Willard and Cabin Creek Loop. Discussed trading the deep bucket for a ditching bucket; no decision made. Discussed digging out the asphalt at the amphitheater and lay scoria instead for better drainage; would use the asphalt on the road to the elevator and Moores’. Carl presented an estimate for blade rims to keep on hand when tires need replaced on blades.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the RDO quote in the amount of $6,359.13 for one front and back rim. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Reported on county vehicle maintenance.
10:16 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:23 AM PERMISSION TO WORK SATURDAYS/ Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator
Requested extra hours to keep up with spraying this season; four or five hours on a Saturday and would give the crew the option to also work alternate Saturdays. Will start with four hours on Saturdays and revisit after fair.
10:27 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
Reported on dewatering analysis and inspection for the Upper Dam. Currently finishing up the Triangle Park draft plat. Discussed GIS road mapping; can be used by other departments for tracking. Discussed testing for lagoon cell 3 and the golf course irrigation pond.
10:42 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:57 AM Glen Ferguson, USDA Wildlife Specialist joined the meeting.
10:57 AM PREDATOR CONTROL UPDATES/ Doug Ekberg, USDA Eastern District Supervisor
Introduced Glen Ferguson who has taken over predator control for the Fallon County area. Doug presented annual stats for coyotes in the area. Will continue to fly and trap until hunting season and continue after hunting season is over. Glen’s cell number will be posted on the Fallon County website for residents in need of predator control.
11:09 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:23 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON ASSISTANCE WITH PLEVNA ROAD REPAIRS/ Gary Thielen, Town of Plevna Mayor
Century will be coming later this afternoon to review roads that will be paved. Requesting $70,000.00 for the portions that need minor paving; will be leaving a few streets alone just in case a sewer project is approved. Projected start date for the paving is in August. Will present a final estimated cost after the meeting with Century.
11:30 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
There was no meeting at this time.
1. Discussion on Public Road Right-of-Way Easement Resolution
2. Review Resolution granting statutory authority to the County Sanitarian
3. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation Update (IF NEEDED)
4. Old Business as needed
1:55 PM PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION ON NEW EMS GARAGE BLUEPRINTS/ Terry Sukut, JGA Architects Engineers Planners
This meeting is just exploration and discussion to see if the Commission is interested in moving forward with the idea of a new ambulance garage. Terry presented similar emergency services building projects that JGA has completed in the surround area. Also presented blueprints that were put together in 2019 for an EMS garage. Discussed modifications to the layout; will update the revised plan and present revision proposal.
2:55 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:00 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve July 13-17, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the July 13-17, 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. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on FY26-27 budget items/ Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
There was no meeting at this time.
b. Discussion/Decision on Montana Association of Counties membership renewal
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Montana Association of Counties membership for the amount of $16,862.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision to adopt Resolution #1183 amending mileage for Fallon County Elected Officials and employees
Commissioner Varner motioned to adopt Resolution #1183. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; discussed hotel rates set by the State, will readdress later if hotels refuse to match the State rate. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision on FY 2022 Award Letter and Agreement
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the FY 2022 Award Letter and Agreement from MT DES EMPG Grant. 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
a. Discussion/Decision on Great West Engineering Task Order No. 2 for landfill staking
Currently following up on question with the submitted itemized quote.
b. Discussion/Decision on submitted Grant of Easement
Currently waiting on grant of easement to be submitted.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachment and approach permits/zoning compliance (as needed)
5. Approve July 2026 Mid-Month Claims
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve July 2026 Mid-Month Claims for the amount of $832,469.45. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3:46 PM 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
