December 19, 2025, Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 by Commissioner Pancratz. Commissioner Goffena and Commissioner Turley were present.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Goffena made the motion to approve the agenda after changing times of The County Agent. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion as amended. Motion carried.
Commissioner Turley made the motion to approve December 12, 2025, meetings minutes as written. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Norma Trent joined the meeting.
Commissioner Pancratz and Commissioner Turley attended the Southern Ag Research Center meeting on Tuesday December 16, 2025. It was a good meeting and a powerful group. They are studying crop irrigation and are looking for new projects. Commissioner Goffena suggested Forage Kocia, an Asian plant that is good protein and growing everywhere.
All Commissioners met with the developer for the Wier Building Project and Theresa Doumitt with an update on the Wier Building Wednesday December 17, 2025.
Commissioner Pancratz and Commissioner Turley attended the Roundup Reach meeting on Thursday December 18, 2025.
There was no Public Comment.
Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant application with DNRC, submitted by DES. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Tim Williams and Gordon Kesler from Champions Pride Insurance Services (C P I S) met with the Commissioners regarding benefits for employees. There will be a work session on Thursday January 15, 2026, to go over benefit guides.
County Attorney Todd-Rogers joined the meeting.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert met with the Commissioners to give them a road update after the high winds we had. There were a lot of signs and trees down. The crew was out on Fattig Creek Road Thursday to do clean up. Mr. Stockert said the roads are in pretty good shape, which is surprising with all the snow we received.
County Agent Cooley gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. Fairgrounds Coordinator Tatman was also present. There will be a Conservation District Tree Workshop on the 29th of December 2025. He is working on FSA reports for losses and a non-insured disaster assistance program. Tuesday December 16, 2025, he attended the Southern Ag Research Center meeting along with Commissioner Goffena and Commissioner Turley, where they discussed forage research and irrigation techniques. Mr. Cooley did a “Homesteading in Montana” class for 7th graders in Billings. Hopefully they will have a booth at the Stock Growers Convention next year. He will be judging livestock in Big Timber the 13 – 15 of January 2026. There is a Crop & Pest Management School in Bozeman and hopefully in February there will be a workshop on calving, dystocia and abortion in herds.
Ms. Tatman gave her report to the Commissioners. She found a “collar” that will fit on the hydrant posts & locks at the fairgrounds and has spoken with the FFA teacher to see if they could use the plasma cutter and have the kids in the class make them instead of paying $74.00 for each one. They will start working on them after the new year. Tree trimming started on the 15 of December. There was a call regarding doing mounted shooting at the fairgrounds. They will call back with dates and times. There will be a Ranch Rodeo on May 2, 2026.
Jeremy House joined the meeting.
DES Director Russell and Coordinator Rook gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. There is no time frame on when the funds for the repeater will be available for State DES. The application has been put in for the Busy Bee Flood Plain Permit but there is still no answer from DEQ. There were many calls from the windstorm.
Ambulance Director Solberg gave his report to the Commissioners They are losing an employee in January, so they will have to advertise. There will be a meeting regarding the new phone system next week. There was an HR issue.
Public comment:
Charles Gettelman asked the Commissioners wanted to know if the Commissioners had a new map of the water district for the Mesa area. They do not have one. He also asked about new members of the District. The Commissioners do not know. He also wanted to know where to get a copy of the County Budget. The Commissioners said it can be found online.
Rich Durgin Treasurer of Norther Treasures asked about donating to the Senior Center? The Commissioners told him to donate at the Commons.
There being no further business Commissioner Turley made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Close of meeting.