Flathead Irrigation District July 23, 2025 Meeting
Mission West Community Dev., Partners
407 Main Street, Ronan, Mt. 1:00 PM
Commissioners Present: Paul Guenzler, David Lake, Trent Coleman, Bruce White and Janette Rosman. NO ONE Absent.
Paul opened the meeting with Pledge of Allegiance.
BIA: Nick Belcourt continues to fill in as active manager of FIIP. New manager reported at June Meeting has yet to be confirmed. Nick stated office is short of employees and presently no one to do land splits that have to be completed by October. As soon as #2 pump is up and running well, #1-#3 will go under contract for the same rebuilding work that was done on-#2, (only when #2 is tested and working well this fall). Koshon and Healy, water masters will focus on fall jobs to be completed. Cal Poly has been here working on RDA’s for measuring laterals. ISO’s being trained how to measure water off headgates meeting RDA’s quota. Project needs to prove where water is going and accurate measurements are important. Nick met with Lake County Commissioners regarding their opinion of miss management of Little Bitterroot Irrigation water and Flathead Lake levels. Following the meeting Nick called a few irrigators. It’s important for Lake County Commissioners to know irrigation water is to be used for irrigation and not recreation. LC commissioners said FIIP received 9Billion dollars for improvements, Nick stated, we need clear communications and CITT directs how that 9B is spent. Bia has no control over those funds. Water rights are held by CSKT, and there is no record of Minium Flathead Lake Pool levels. Power Plant gates are closed and lake levels have dropped three feet this past month. Hard to understand where that water is going. KOSHON reported shutting down Pable reservoir first week in September and waiting to hear from the Tribe regarding Mil Foil treatment. Nick stated they are attempting to shut down irrigation season all at the same time. Measuring flumes will be put in where RDA’s presently are. Flumes paid for with Winn Act funds.
No Report for CITT.
June Minutes: David lake made motion to accept, Bruce White second. Passed
Special Meeting Minutes June 19th: Bruce made motion to accept AMMENDED Minutes, Janette second. Passed
Warrants: Bruce made motion to accept warrants, Trent Second. Passed. July warrant: Click Here Designs $55.00, Five Valley Law $1045.00, Whaley Acct., $750.00. Admin $465, 173 as of 6/30. O&M $2,210,469 as of 6/30 Lake County Treasurer balance.
Approve Warrant to BIA for second half of 2025 $1,708,964.13. Janette made motion, David Second. Passed
Resolution 2025-5 Basic Per Acre-B rate. David made motion to accept, Trent second. Passed.
Admin Budget 2026: Janette made motion to accept, David second. Passed.
Public comment: Dan, Nick has good idea on how to move forward. He needs accountant and struggling with employment shortages. How can we help him?
Adjourn: David made motion, Janette second.
Minutes by Janette Rosman, secretary & Fid commissioner.
