MINUTES
Of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2
Terry, Montana
February 15, 2023
The Annual Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Fifteenth day of February, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
There were present and participating at the meeting:
Barry Rakes
Lance Kalfell
Jackson Dion
Also present and participating were: Tim Kortum, Secretary, Jessica Schott, Treasurer, and Producers of Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2.
President Barry Rakes called the meeting to order, stating that all necessary and advisable business be conducted during this time and that notice had been received by each Board Member.
Thereupon, President Barry Rakes announced that legal notice had been given and a quorum was present so that the meeting was legally and lawfully ready to transact business.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Jessica Schott presented to all present the 2023 proposed budget for District No. 2 and cash account balances, for a five-year comparison, of the year end fiscal reviews. She also included a list of the last years overview of events along with a list of the upcoming years overview. Ms. Schott explained that District No. 2 will be losing access to the MACo insurance pool, as they are no longer offering insurance coverage to irrigation districts after June 30, 2023, due to a large volume of high value losses and claims. She stated that Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 is currently exploring all options for new insurance carries/companies, but advised that it is still too far from the June 30, 2023 expiration date to receive a quote yet. Ms. Schott explained that this budget item was of some concern to the District No. 2 Board of Commissioners, as the cost for new insurance coverage is still unknown.
MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Tim Kortum took lead of the meeting, and spoke to all present, providing an update on the District. He stated that the last year ran well for the District, and the producers present agreed that water delivery had gone very well.
Mr. Kortum informed all producers present of the grant projects that are currently in progress, stating that two Renewable Resource grants for $125,000 each are in progress through the DNRC, as well as a $300,000 WaterSMART grant through the Bureau of Reclamation, all for Phases 1 and 2 of the Lateral 1.6 Pipeline Conversion project. Mr. Kortum also advised those present that a fourth grant of $500,000 has been approved through the ARPA program at the DNRC for Phase 3 of the Lateral 1.6 project, however a final contract and funds have not yet been received for the ARPA grant. Tim Kortum also announced that another Renewable Resource Grant from the DNRC has been approved for Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 in the amount of $125,000 to begin relining the Jenny Reach Extension of the main canal in Shirley. This work is expected to begin in Spring, 2024.
Mr. Kortum explained that planned future grant-funded projects include the Fallon 3.1 Canal conversion to pipeline, as well as a smaller digital mapping project to identify new pipelines and pump out locations within the District.
Tim Kortum notified all present that the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 machine shop was working on the repairs to the last pump they had pulled for off-season servicing. He also stated to the producers that the District machine shop is able to complete pump repair work in-house for producers in and outside of the District.
Mr. Kortum advised all present that Josh Hadley will remain the ditchrider for the Shirley Division, Bruce Lantis will remain the ditchrider for the Terry Division, and that Rob Mooney will be the new ditchrider for the Fallon division. Rob will receive training this season from the former Fallon ditchrider, Ben Wollman.
Jessica Schott then showed the History of Buffalo Rapids film.
Mr. Tim Kortum and the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board discussed and answered questions from all producers present.
The meeting was adjourned on a
motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor.
Motion Carried
ATTESTED:
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