MINUTES
Of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2
Terry, Montana
August 13, 2025
The Fourth Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Thirteenth day of August, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.
There were present and participating at the meeting:
Barry Rakes
Lance Kalfell
Also present and participating were: Tim Kortum, Secretary, and Jessica Schott, Treasurer. Vice President Jackson Dion was absent.
President Barry Rakes called the meeting to order at 1:18 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 and Resolutions from the July 9th, 2025, Regular Board Meeting were approved without corrections and, or additions, on a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Barry Rakes at 1:20 p.m. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through August 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 $62,239.59, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. August 15th estimated payroll: $13,661.05, August invoices: $36,326.74, and August 31st estimated payroll: $12,251.80. This transfer authorization was approved on a motion by Lance, seconded by Barry Rakes at 1:31 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 $764,195.24 with the Prairie County Investment Pool. Warrant numbers from July 11, 2025 to August 14, 2025 range from 29095-29142.
The treasurer's report was approved at 1:37 p.m. on a motion by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Barry Rakes. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
Jessica Schott then reported that the audit for Fiscal Year 2024 had been completed by Strom and Associates with one finding for Misstatement of Revenue and Expenditures. This finding resulted from the Lateral 1.6 Pipeline construction payroll expenses reimbursed by the ARPA grant that should have been moved to capital project costs for Construction in Process. A Corrective Action Plan was submitted and accepted, and the final audit report should be delivered this week.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
Tim Kortum reported to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that the Fallon River No. 1 pump had another big breakdown on Sunday evening, August 10th, and was back out of service. He relayed that the shaft was broken again for sure, as well as the bowl and columns being severely damage on one side, and that the motor had sustained some damage and the mounts are broken on the top. Mr. Kortum stated that the employees were working on disassembling and pulling the pump and the cause for the damage would not be determined until the pump was completely pulled out. There was some brief discussion regarding water delivery and it was determined that water would need to be rationed at a rate of 1 acre foot of water per 100 acres of land until a temporary pump solution can be put in place.
Mr. Kortum then provided an update on the Shirley Main Canal Rehabilitation grant, stating that Performance Engineering was soliciting bids for lining and materials which would be closing at the end of day on August 14th. Mr. Kortum then informed all present that Billy Tusler is scheduled to have rotator cuff surgery in a few weeks which will put him out of commission for the canal liner project. Gene Davis has been slotted to do the excavator work for the project in Billy’s absence.
Tim Kortum also reported that the Terry canal has been running low on water so the river channel would be dug out again later this week to get more water flow running to the pumping plant.
Finally, there was a brief discussion regarding the non-citizen, H-2A worker program, and some reference contacts were shared with Ms. Schott for other employers participating in this program.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:04 p.m. on a motion by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Barry Rakes. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
ATTESTED:
________________________________ ____________________________________
Tim Kortum,
Secretary Barry
Rakes, President
Comments