September 9, 2026 District No. 2 Board Meeting Minutes

 MINUTES

Of the

MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Of the

BUFFALO RAPIDS IRRIGATION DISTRICT NO. 2

Terry, Montana

September 9, 2026

 

The Fifth Regular Meeting of the members of the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 at Terry, Prairie County, Montana, was held on the Ninth day of September, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

            There were present and participating at the meeting:

Jackson Dion

Barry Rakes

Lance Kalfell 

Also present and participating were: Jessica Schott, Treasurer, and Tim Kortum, Secretary.

            President Jackson Dion called the meeting to order at 1:20 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 Jackson Dion 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 August 12, 2026, Regular Board Meeting were approved, with no corrections or additions, on a motion made by Lance Kalfell and seconded by Barry Rakes at 1:21 p.m.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

            FINANCIAL REPORT:

Jessica Schott presented current budget figures which included payroll and expenditures through September 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 $57,786.35, to cover payroll and invoices were signed.  September 15^th estimated payroll: $15,235.13, September invoices: $26,954.38, and September 30^th estimated payroll: $15,596.84.  This transfer authorization was approved on a motion made by Barry Rakes, seconded by Lance Kalfell at 1:30 p.m.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

Ms. Schott reported that the County’s Fiscal Year rollover was completed, and that investment interest disbursement was back on schedule and had been received for August.  Ms. Schott then presented the investment statement, which was signed to invest the remaining monthly District No. 2 cash balances in the amount of $607,716.88 with the Prairie County Investment Pool.  Warrant numbers from August 14, 2026 to September 10, 2026 range from 29798-29851.

The treasurer's report was approved at 1:32 p.m. on a motion made by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Barry Rakes.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

MANAGER’S REPORT:

            Mr. Tim Kortum informed the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District No. 2 Board that Billy had dug in the river channel so the Terry pumping station is able to run all three pumps.  He reported that he is scheduling ditch maintenance and cleaning for the fall.  Mr. Kortum also reported that the Camp Creek siphon may need to have the culvert replaced, and that the fall work would include excavation there to investigate.  He also mentioned that the Williams Creek siphon needs concrete poured on the sloped side to make trash cleaning easier on that stretch of the Shirley canal, but he is unsure if they will get to that this fall.

            Mr. Kortum then updated all present on the status of the Lateral 1.6.  The pressure issue appears to have self-corrected, but he would like to investigate further into the pressure issues that were going on over on the North side of the railroad tracks.  He also stated that they would still be installing more air vents in the pipeline and that these items would be part of the fall work list.

            Tim Kortum and Lance Kalfell then provided an update on the Lateral 5.3B pipeline in Shirley, stating that the issue had been fixed and that Diamond Ring was able to run their pivot from that pipeline again.  A section of the 18” pipeline next to the siphon was packed with sediment, and was removed and replaced with new repair couplers after cleaning out the line.  Mr. Kortum stated that in the future, fall shutdown protocol would include filling the siphon with water and agitating with an air compressor to dislodge any packed mud or sediment before flushing out the line to prevent the issue from happening again.  There was a brief discussion by all present regarding having Diamond Ring cost-share the pipeline repair costs due to Diamond Ring being the only water user on that pipeline.  All agreed that Mr. Kortum should call the manager of Diamond Ring to discuss splitting the cost after all bills for parts had been received and the repair costs totaled.

            Jessica Schott then reported to the District No. 2 Board that she and Scott Aspenlieder from Performance Engineering had completed and submitted an application to the Montana DNRC’s Renewal Resource Grant program for a planning grant to fund the engineering and planning costs of the Lateral 3.1 Pipeline Conversion proposed project in Fallon.  Ms. Schott stated that applications were in the review phase and that she would update the Board when she learned if the project would be funded.

            Ms. Schott then informed all present that the advertisement for the upcoming open role of District Manager had been posted with Indeed, Montana Job Service, and Irrigation Leader.

            Lastly, there was a discussion by all present regarding the replacement of the John Deere 120 backhoe.  It was ultimately decided to schedule overall maintenance and necessary repairs for the machine with One Schott Mobile Service and Repair, and then either list the machine for sale or trade it in on a replacement backhoe or miniature excavator in the coming months.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:36 p.m. on a motion made by Lance Kalfell, seconded by Barry Rakes.  All in Favor.  Motion Carried.

 

            ATTESTED:

________________________________                    ____________________________________

Tim Kortum, Secretary                                               Jackson Dion, President