MINUTES
Of the
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS
Of the
BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2
Terry, Montana
January 14, 2026
The Ninth Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Fourteenth day of January, 2026 at 1:30 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 Tom Browning, a District producer.
President Barry Rakes called the meeting to order at 1:28 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 December 10, 2025, Regular Board Meeting were approved without corrections and, or additions, on a motion made by Jackson Dion and seconded by Lance Kalfell at 1:29 p.m. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through January 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 $57,056.30, to cover payroll and invoices were signed. January 15th processed payroll: $27,765.43, which included payout of PTO for retiring employee, Bill Tusler, January invoices: $14,166.09, and January 31st estimated payroll: $15,124.78. This transfer authorization was approved on a motion made by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell at 1:36 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 $660,733.18 with the Prairie County Investment Pool. Warrant numbers from December 12, 2025 to January 15, 2026 range from 29346-29408.
The treasurer's report was approved at 1:37 p.m. on a motion made by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Jackson Dion. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
MANAGER’S REPORT:
At 1:38 p.m., Tim Kortum reported to the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that District employees were finished with servicing the pumps with one left to be installed in Terry.
Mr. Kortum also stated that Bill Tusler and Bruce Lantis had retired as of January 1, 2026, and are currently on unpaid leave after receiving their PTO payouts.
Tim Kortum then informed all present that the remaining full-time and part-time employees were working on pump columns, head gates and meters. He also mentioned that work on the canal lining project was currently halted due to extreme cold and snow.
At 1:42 p.m., the floor was given to Tom Browning who had requested to be on the meeting agenda to discuss the current rule disallowing the sharing of water over/under usage between deeded/owned acres and leased acres. His main concern is getting enough water to the small parcels to run all the way down the field through gated pipe during water shortages when a ration is imposed. There was extensive discussion among all present regarding the abnormality of the last season with pump breakdowns causing a water shortage for a few weeks, and mismanagement of the ditch by the ditch rider. It was determined that the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Rules and Regulations Governing the Distribution and Use of Water specifically state that the end-of-season over usage of water cannot be shared or offset between owned and leased acres and must be billed separately. However, the rules and regulations state that during water shortage when water is rationed, 1.5 second feet or less of water would be delivered to each 100 acres of assessed land that is controlled by each individual farmer and does not specify ownership. It was ultimately decided that even during water shortage, good management of the ditch would have allowed for the option of forgoing delivery of water to some larger owned parcels in order to have adequate water delivery of water to smaller leased parcels in order to get water all the way down the field. Tim Kortum reiterated the importance of good relations and communication with neighbors, and the adherence to the requirement that producers provide 48 hours’ notice for water delivery, and 24 hours’ notice for shut-off to give the ditch level ample time to adjust and allow for all producers to receive adequate water delivery. Following this discussion, it was determined that no changes to the rules and regulations were necessary at this time.
At 2:10 p.m., Jessica Schott then presented a draft of the 2026
Proposed Budget, including worksheets for the estimated annual carry-over for
the 2025 operating year. At 2:14 p.m. on
a motion made by Jackson Dion and seconded by Lance Kalfell, it was RESOLVED,
To transfer $7,986.01 from the System Rehab reserve account to District 2 Cash O & M to reflect the estimated 2025 net loss. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
There was then further discussion around the 2026 Proposed Budget and
the foreseeable needs of the District in the upcoming year. Upon review it was determined that the budget
for vehicle purchases should be increased from $10,000 to $15,000, with no
other changes proposed. At 2:41 p.m. on
a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion, it was RESOLVED,
That the 2026 Budget be approved. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
At
2:43 p.m., Jessica Schott reported that the Shirley Division Commissioner term
would be expiring in May, 2026, thus requiring a Call for Election. At 2:48 p.m., on a motion made by Jackson
Dion and seconded by Lance Kalfell, it was RESOLVED,
That, pursuant to Section 13-1-504(4) and (5), MCA, Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 shall hold an election to fill the office of the Commissioner of the Shirley Division the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2. This election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May, and shall be conducted by mail, in accordance with and as outlined in Section 13-1-502, MCA. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
Following the Call for Election, Jessica
Schott informed the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2
Board that a new appointment for the Buffalo Rapids District No. 2 Election
Administrator should be made. At 2:50
p.m., on a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Jackson Dion, it was
RESOLVED,
That Jessica Schott, Bookkeeper and Treasurer of Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, be appointed to the position of Election Administrator for the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2, under direction of the Prairie County Clerk and Recorder and in accordance with Section 13-1-301, MCA. The term of this appointment shall be for one (1) year, and/or until her successor is elected, appointed, and qualified.
Ms. Schott accepts her appointment.
Jessica Schott spoke briefly with the members of the Board about the upcoming Annual Producer Meeting. After a scheduling discussion, all present agreed that the regular March meeting and the Annual meeting would be held on March 11, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. respectively. Notices will be mailed to all producers in late February.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:58 p.m. on a motion made by Jackson Dion, seconded by Lance Kalfell. All in Favor. Motion Carried.
ATTESTED:
________________________________ ____________________________________
Tim Kortum,
Secretary Barry
Rakes, President
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