MINUTES
Of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2
Terry, Montana
May 14, 2025
Before the meeting could be called to order, the following nominations and appointments needed to be made:
At 1:31 p.m., the meeting was turned over to Jackson Dion who declared nominations for appointments open for President of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2. Barry Rakes was nominated by Lance Kalfell. At 1:32 p.m., Lance Kalfell made a motion, seconded by Jackson Dion, that all nominations cease, and a unanimous ballot be cast for Barry Rakes.
A unanimous ballot was cast for Barry Rakes, and it was,
RESOLVED, that Barry Rakes be and is hereby elected and appointed to the position of President of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, to hold office until the twelfth regular meeting to be held in April of 2026, and/or until his successor is elected and qualified.
Mr. Rakes accepts his position.
At 1:34 p.m., the meeting was turned back to President Barry Rakes. President Barry Rakes declared nominations open for Vice President of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, with Jackson Dion being nominated by Lance Kalfell. At 1:35 p.m., Lance Kalfell made a motion, seconded by Barry Rakes, that all nominations cease, and a unanimous ballot be cast for Jackson Dion.
A unanimous ballot was cast for Jackson Dion, and it was,
RESOLVED,
that Jackson Dion be and is hereby elected and appointed to the position of
Vice President of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, to hold office
until the twelfth regular meeting to be held in April of 2026, and/or until his
successor is elected and qualified.
Mr. Dion accepts his position.
Nominations were then open for Secretary of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 with Tim Kortum being nominated by Lance Kalfell. At 1:37 p.m., Lance Kalfell made a motion, seconded by Jackson Dion, that all nominations cease, and a unanimous ballot be cast for Tim Kortum.
A unanimous ballot was cast for Tim Kortum, and it was,
RESOLVED, that Tim Kortum be and is hereby elected to the position of Secretary of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, to hold office until the twelfth regular meeting to be held in April of 2026, and/or until his successor is elected and qualified.
Mr. Kortum accepts his position.
President Barry Rakes then announced that nominations were open for Treasurer of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, with Jessica Schott being nominated by Jackson Dion. At 1:38 p.m., Jackson Dion made a motion, seconded by Lance Kalfell, that all nominations cease, and a unanimous ballot be cast for Jessica Schott.
A unanimous ballot was cast for Jessica Schott, and it was,
RESOLVED, that Jessica Schott be and is hereby elected to the position of Treasurer of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, to hold office until the twelfth regular meeting to be held in April of 2026, and/or until her successor is elected and qualified.
Ms. Schott accepts her position.
All nominations being made and accepted, the First Regular Meeting of the Members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was called to order, held on the 14th day of May, 2025, at 1:39 p.m.
There were present and participating at the meeting:
Barry Rakes
Jackson Dion
Lance Kalfell
Also present and participating were: Tim Kortum, Manager, and Jessica Schott, Treasurer.
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.
The Minutes from the April 9, 2025, Board Meeting, were approved with two grammatical corrections and no additions, on a motion made by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion at 1:39 p.m. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through May to all Board members for their review. A list of invoices to be paid was submitted and forms for the Prairie County Treasurer to transfer funds in the amount of $57,103.39, to cover payroll and invoices were signed at 1:43 p.m. May 15th estimated payroll: $18,136.27; May total invoices $21,064.33; May 31st estimated payroll: $17,902.79. A second transfer authorization was presented to transfer $3,710.04 from the System Rehab reserve account to District 2 Cash O & M for the Fallon River Pumphouse Walkway expenses. This transfer authorization was approved on a motion made by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell at 1:44 p.m. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
An investment transfer was signed to invest the remaining monthly District No. 2 cash balances in the amount of $665,732.74 with the Prairie County Investment Pool. Warrant numbers from April 11, 2025 to May 15, 2025 range from 28924 to 28980.
The treasurer's report was approved at 1:46 p.m. on a motion made by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
Mr. Tim Kortum informed all present that the crack in the syphon at the Fallon Relift had been repaired. He also reported to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that all pumps were running well. The Fallon River pump being repaired by Agri Industries still is not finished as the new shafts and lube tubes were not completed yet, but Mr. Kortum is hopeful it would be back and installed soon. Mr. Kortum stated that the employees had retrieved the old lube tubes from Miles City, and he suggested taking the Board members over to the shop following the meeting to allow them to see the amount of work they require and why the production process is taking longer than expected.
Mr. Kortum reported that WAPA was making a line repair causing a power outage in Shirley yesterday and today, with power planned to be restored tonight.
Tim Kortum additionally explained to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board the upcoming plans for ditch cleaning/shaping work to be done in Shirley and culvert repairs happening soon in conjunction with the County Road department. He also reported that Gene was still making repairs and updates to the new lowboy trailer as time allows, and it was nearly ready to be reassembled.
There was then some discussion regarding some issues with pre-season preparations and employee performance and ditch operations. Some ideas for solutions were discussed to possibly assist with improved operations and enhanced employee performance.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:26 p.m. on a motion by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
ATTESTED:
________________________________ ____________________________________
Tim Kortum,
Secretary Barry Rakes, President
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