March 12, 2026 District No. 2 Board Meeting Minutes

 MINUTES

Of the

MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Of the

BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2

Terry, Montana

March 12, 2026

 

The Eleventh Regular 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 1:00 p.m.

            There were present and participating at the meeting:

Barry Rakes

Jackson Dion

Lance Kalfell

Also present and participating were: Tim Kortum, Secretary, Jessica Schott, Treasurer, and Clark Cameron and Will Ecord, District producers.

            President Barry Rakes called the meeting to order at 12:52 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 February 11, 2026, Regular Board Meeting were approved without corrections and, or additions, on a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion at 12:53 p.m.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            FINANCIAL REPORT:

Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through March to all Board members for their review.  Ms. Schott reported that revenue for the month included the Quarter 4, 2025 reimbursement from the Shirley Main Canal Rehab Phase II DNRC grant in the amount of $71,314.61.  A list of invoices to be paid was submitted and a form for the Prairie County Treasurer to transfer funds in the amount of $43,021.29, to cover payroll and invoices were signed.  March 15^th estimated payroll: $14,127.61, March invoices: $10,867.09, and March 31^st estimated payroll: $18,026.59.  This transfer authorization was approved on a motion made by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion at 12:57p.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 $669,255.71 with the Prairie County Investment Pool.  Warrant numbers from February 13, 2026 to March 13, 2026 range from 29454-29504.

The treasurer's report was approved at 1:02 p.m. on a motion made by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            MANAGER’S REPORT:

            At 1:03 p.m., Tim Kortum provided District updates to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board, stating that the Fallon River and Shirley pumps were installed and ready for the season, and the impellor for the remaining Terry pump was about done with repairs.  He also stated that the headgates and meters for Fallon were nearly finished with repairs.

repairs to the pump motors currently at S & S Machine are coming along well, and that no motors required a complete rewind.  He also reported that District employees were working on the repairs to the last pump, including rethreading lube tubes.

Tim Kortum then provided a brief update on the Shirley Main Canal lining project, stating that employees were making progress on the project as the weather allows.

Additionally, Mr. Kortum reported that the repairs to the pump motors at S & S Machine had been finished and would be delivered sometime in the next couple of weeks.

            Lastly, Tim Kortum then advised the District No. 2 Board that Scott Aspenleider with Performance Engineering would be on site on March 18^th to meet and discuss the Fallon pipeline conversion projects the District is looking to fund through the DNRC.

            At 1:20 p.m., the meeting open for public comment and Clark Cameron voiced concerns over an area of the Shirley Main Canal that seemed to be leaking through the ditch side.  Mr. Cameron requested permission from the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board to have Muggli Construction come out and do some test excavation parallel to the ditch bank and possibly connect it to the drain if it can be determined the location where it is leaking.  After some discussion, the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board agreed to the exploratory excavation if Tim Kortum could be on-site during excavation.

            At 1:48 p.m., Will Ecord reported that the pipe going through the canal bank near the farm shop seems to have holes rusted through and is in danger of washing the canal out.  The Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board suggested having Muggli Construction replace the pipe while they were already at Mr. Cameron’s for exploratory excavation, and all parties were agreeable.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:51 p.m. on a motion made by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            ATTESTED:

________________________________                    ____________________________________

Tim Kortum, Secretary                                               Barry Rakes, President