MINUTES
Of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2
Terry, Montana
July 10, 2024
The Third Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Tenth day of July, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
There were present and participating at the meeting:
Barry Rakes
Lance Kalfell
Jackson Dion
Also present and participating were: Tim Kortum, Secretary, and Jessica Schott, Treasurer.
President Barry Rakes called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m., 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.
The Minutes from the June 12th, 2024, Regular Board Meeting were approved without corrections and, or additions, on a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion at 6:56 p.m. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through July to all Board members for their review. A list of invoices to be paid was submitted and a form for the Prairie County Treasurer to transfer funds in the amount of $97,332.13, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. July 15th estimated payroll: $14,785.57, July invoices: $67,475.13, which includes $46,992.00 for the 2024-2025 Commercial Insurance Package renewal, and July 31st estimated payroll: $15,071.43. This transfer authorization was approved on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell at 7:04 p.m. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
Ms. Schott then presented the investment statement, which was signed to invest the remaining monthly District No. 2 cash balances in the amount of $486,570.41 with the Prairie County Investment Pool. Warrant numbers from June 14, 2024 to July 11, 2024 range from 28389-28452.
Ms. Schott reported to the Board that the Stockman Bank loan interest paid on the Lateral 1.6 Funding Gap loan submitted for reimbursement from the ARPA grant had been denied, and that the reimbursement amount the District was waiting to receive had been decreased to $222,972.03.
Ms. Schott also informed the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that an error with the Investment interest disbursement by the Prairie County Treasurer’s office was discovered upon closing out their fiscal year on June 30th. Ms. Cheryl Morrison, acting/interim Treasurer, explained to Ms. Schott year-end statements showed that approximately $48,000.00 of additional investment interest had been received by the Treasurer, but not disbursed, and that an unknown portion of that amount should have been paid to Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2. Ms. Morrison stated she was working with the County’s auditors and investment advisors to determine where the errors occurred and how much is due to be disbursed to the District.
The treasurer's report was approved at 7:13 p.m. on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
Jessica Schott presented to the Board Assessment projection worksheets to assist the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board in their review of the financials for the 2025 water season assessments. After much discussion and consideration, the 2025 Operating Year assessments are set as follows. The amount per acre will increase to $63.00 per acre.
O&M = $54.00
EQUIP RESERVE = $4.00
SYSTEM REHAB = $5.00
TOTAL = $63.00
At 7:39 p.m., on a motion made by
Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell, it was RESOLVED,
To assess $63.00 per acre for the 2025 Operating Year Assessments for Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2.
The 2025 Water Overage rate is set as follows: for the Overage Fee of $22.00
per acre foot. At 7:41 p.m., on a motion made by Barry Rakes and seconded
by Jackson Dion, it was RESOLVED,
That the 2025 Water Overage Fee for Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 will be a fee of $22.00 per acre foot. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
Tim Kortum reported to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that the Lateral 1.6 pipeline has been operating well. While getting acclimated to the operation of the line, there was actually excessive pressure and too much water at the end of the line, when the end of the line is usually experiencing a shortage. Meters for the Waples and Dolatta parcels have been ordered from Agri Industries, but the line is able to run water without them.
Mr. Kortum provided an update on the Fallon Relift discharge lines, reporting that he had been looking into slip-liner options for internal repairs. Mr. Kortum stated that he identified multiple options, but will need to explore making it a grant-funded project as the cost will be well outside the District’s budget. Mr. Kortum explained that he will have specifications worked up and will keep them on-hand should a “shovel-ready project” grant opportunity present.
Tim Kortum then reported to the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that the electrician from TAB Electronics in Glendive had rewired the SensaPhone in Shirley and it is now connected to all three pumps. The electrician will be back again to reset the parameters on the MotorSavers and cubicles.
Mr. Kortum also stated that he still had not received an estimate for repairs to the Fallon River pump.
Old business included a brief discussion regarding the NRCS artesian well program. Ms. Schott stated that she had been in touch with Kathy Meidinger, who reported that the Prairie County Grazing District had briefly pursued applying for the program, but less than half of its members are FSA qualified, drastically reducing the amount of repayment by the program. Due to this low repayment amount, the Grazing District abandoned their application, so they and Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 will need to seek other means for repairs to the well.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m. on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
ATTESTED:
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