MINUTES
Of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2
Terry, Montana
March 12, 2026
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, 2026 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 at 1:59 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.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Jessica Schott presented to all present the 2026 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 year’s 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 2026 Operating Year to combat rising operating and maintenance costs, as well as anticipating future needs.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
At 2:08 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 District is anticipating earlier demand for water due to a drier winter and more pivots being placed. He explained that the pumps would be installed and ready for the season in the first part of April. Mr. Kortum then informed all present that the District had purchased a spare pump for the Fallon River plant, and were looking to purchase two additional spare pumps for the Terry and Shirley plants as well. He explained that this would alleviate water shortage if a pump experienced a breakdown, such as the incident in Fallon last season, and would allow for an earlier start to the season if the spares could be rotated into service as the pumps due for service are taken out at the end of the season.
Mr. Kortum discussed the current and future projects of the District with all present, reporting that work is in-progress on the Shirley Main Canal Rehab, Phase II, and work will continue as weather allows until season operations begin. He also explained that an application for funding would be submitted in the coming weeks for the conversion of Lateral 3.1 in Fallon from open ditch to pipeline.
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.
Mr. Kortum advised those present that the Shirley and Terry division ditchriders would remain the same from the previous year (Josh Hadley as ditchrider for the Shirley Division, and Bruce Lantis as ditchrider for the Terry Division), and that the District was still working to fill the Fallon ditchrider position.
Mr. Tim Kortum and the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board discussed and answered questions from all producers present. They reiterated the importance of communication with their ditchrider to insure water needs are accounted for, and adhering to the rule of providing 48 hours’ notice with request to turn on water, and 24 hours’ notice with notification of turning water off.
At 2:15 p.m., local student Raynee Dion gave a historical research presentation on the Conscientious Observer’s camp that helped with the construction of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project in the 1940’s.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 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