Flathead Irrigation District Meeting Minutes July 22, 2026
Commissioners present: David Lake, Trent Coleman, Janette Rosman, Bruce White
Not present: Paul Guenzler
Acting as Secretary for the meeting: Elizabeth Beaird of Five Valleys Law, P.L.L.C. via Teams
Opened by David Lake 1:00 pm
Recorded meeting by Five Valleys Law, P.L.L.C.
BIA/CSKT Reports:
BIA report by Nick Belcourt:
CSKT report from Brian Hogenson:
CITT report from Shane Hendrickson: –
working on flow measurements from the spring run off to figure out what kind of event happened creating gage issues.
Irrigation Fee Waivers/reimbursement process discussion:
– More people applying for irrigation fee waivers through FIIP – typically denied because they can no longer access historic delivery point. However, there are some new ones due to FIIP maintenance. In that situation, FIIP may be grant the fee waivers. FIIP will then need to refund the fees to the Flathead Irrigation District and the District will in return refund to the individual irrigator.
– –
The goal is to have all fee waivers prior to the irrigation fee collections so FIP and
the Flathead Irrigation District can prevent collections and refunding.
Waivers are supposed to be submitted 60 days prior to irrigation season and must be submitted annually.
June Minutes – Moved by Bruce White to amend agenda, seconded by Trent Coleman,
passed unanimously
Financials – Moved by Bruce White, seconded by Janette Rosman, passed unanimously.
Review secretary position proposal from Heidi Rosemont – Moved to accept proposal by
Janette Rosman, seconded by Trent Coleman, passed unanimously.
Resignation of Janette Rosman from secretary – Janette Rosman moved to resign,
seconded by Bruce White, passed unanimously. –
Resignation of Janette Rosman as Commissioner effective August 26, 2026 –
Janette Rosman moved to resign, seconded by Bruce White, passed unanimously.
Discussion of replacement commissioner – possibly Scott Buxbaum, replacement will
be installed at next month’s meeting.
Water Compact Litigation Update from Cassie Dellwo: – –
10 appeals currently.
Court has not set deadlines yet.
Public Comment & General Matters: – –
Cincinnati insurance update from Janette Rosman – cancelled for non-payment
effective yesterday. Janette will call them to see what is going on at this time.
Rate increase commented on by irrigator Lenny Page – his water right objection
was rejected/returned to him.
Trent Coleman moved to adjourn, seconded by Janette Rosman, passed unanimously
at 2:39 pm.
Cassie’s Notes (remove once finalized):
Nick Belcourt Gave the BIA report
. Still issues with aquatic treatments – the contract
closed last Friday – no list has come through yet from purchasing.
Looking at electronic ticketing/water ordering for 2027
Final rates – BIA has signed off on the rates but they are not published as final with the
federal register.
CSKT/CITT reports given by Brian
Shane Hendrickson also helped with CSKT report
– working on flow measurements
from the spring run off to figure out what kind of event happened creating gage issues.
D. Lake asked questions regarding ground water changes after adding the pipeline.
B. White asked Nick about changing the quota in Hot Springs – no change until we are
at least ½ way through the season.
Irrigation Fee Waivers Nick Belcourt
– More people applying for waivers through FIIP – typically denied because they can no longer access historic delivery point. However,
new ones are actually due to FIIP maintenance. In that situation, it may be granted. In
that case they will be refunding the $ and the funds will be issued to FID. The goal is to
have them for the next irrigation year so we can prevent collections and refunding.
Minutes – moved Bruce – second Trent – passed
Financials – moved to approve Bruce – second Janette – passed
Rosemont Proposal – Janette move to accept the proposal – trent seconded – passed
Janette moves accept her resignation from secretary – Bruce seconded – passed
Janette moves to accept her resignation as commissioner effective 8/26/26 – second
Bruce – passed
Discussion of possible replacement commissioner – Scott Buxbaum.
Dellwo Water court update
Public comment – Cincinnati insurance cancelled the policy as of yesterday. Cancelled
for non-payment.
Lenny Page – Asking about the rate increase re: the public comment – he sent
comment and it was returned to him.
