MINUTES
Of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2
Terry, Montana
March 12, 2025
The Annual Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Twelfth day of March, 2025 at 2:05 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 2025 approved budget for District No. 2 and cash account balances, with 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 Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 had increased assessment rates for the 2025 Operating Year to combat rising operating and maintenance costs. Ms. Schott reported that the District was doing everything possible to keep those costs as low as possible in an attempt to maintain the new assessment rates for the 2026 Operating Year. Ms. Schott additionally reported that the final two grant contracts for the Lateral 1.6 Pipeline Conversion had been closed out and the District was awaiting the final two contingency payments to finalize closeout.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
At 2:10 p.m., 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 aside from some minor hiccups due to pump issues, and the producers present agreed that water delivery had gone well.
Mr. Kortum discussed the current and future projects of the District with all present, explaining that a Renewable Resource Grant from the DNRC has been approved for Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 in the amount of $125,000 to begin lining the second phase of the Jenny Reach Extension on the main canal in Shirley. This work is now expected to begin in Fall, 2025.
Mr. Kortum explained that planned future projects include the Fallon 3.1 Canal conversion to pipeline, as well as the installation of a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) motor in the Terry pumping plant or the Fallon River pumping plant for efficiency. Mr. Kortum also briefly explained the deteriorating discharge lines in Fallon, and that they would require replacement within the next 15-20 years.
Tim Kortum also notified the group that water would likely begin running earlier, sometime in April, due to an earlier demand from the large number of water users running pivots for irrigation.
Mr. Kortum advised those present that all division ditchriders would remain the same from the previous year: Josh Hadley as ditchrider for the Shirley Division, Bruce Lantis as ditchrider for the Terry Division, and Mooney as ditchrider for the Fallon division.
Mr. Tim Kortum and the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board discussed and answered questions from all producers present. Multiple producers noted a few headgates that needed servicing, and that Lateral 5.3 has some possibly impending washout areas that need some reshaping.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m. on a motion by Barry Rakes, seconded by Jackson Dion. All in Favor. Motion Carried
ATTESTED:
________________________________ _________________________________
Tim Kortum,
Secretary Barry Rakes, President
Comments