Board of Commissioners
Downloadable reports, legal documents, meeting minutes, and public records
About Document Flags: Flags such as Open Meeting Violation, Constitutional Issue, and Legal Issue are indicators of potential concerns only. They are generated during document review to highlight areas that may warrant further examination. These flags are not legal conclusions, findings of fact, or determinations of wrongdoing.
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2025-01-06 Exec Session
This document contains minutes from the Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting held on January 6, 2025. The meeting covered various county business including fair board management concerns, 4-H booth rebuilding approval, Valley Recreation District feasibility study, IT security purchases, truck procurement, and personnel matters discussed in executive session.
Executive Session Decisions
- Executive session was held per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) for personnel matters from 1:20 pm to 1:55 pm, but no specific decisions from the executive session were disclosed in the minutes
Decisions Made
- Approved 4-H committee booth rebuild with same size but taller height and code compliance
- Confirmed fair board will handle leasing for 4-H building
- Approved Marty Luhr's truck purchase from Utah for $62,585.41
- Approved IT purchases for two NAS and 4 NAS Hard Drives for $1,219.94
- Approved Mark Reyes attending Python Tools Workshop
- Approved minutes from previous two weeks
- Approved claims as presented by staff
- Approved indigent claims as presented by staff
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Katie Scheer - 4-H Food Booth Rebuild presentation
- Larry Kimball, Steve Hines, Lydia Jackson, Tyson Carpenter, Jarod Jackson - 4-H booth project
- Mark Barnes, Lyle Johnstone, Sergio Arroyo, Dean Dimond, Steven Huettig, Jarod Jackson - Fair Board Discussion
- Mark Barnes, Lyle Johnstone, Sergio Arroyo, Dean Dimond, Steven Huettig - Valley Rec Feasibility
- Marty Luhr - Truck Update
- Jesse Vallez - Executive Session participant
- Matthew McGregor - IT Purchases/Security
- Steve Hines - Extension Office Report (absent)
- Mark Reyes - Mapping Report
- Mike Seib - Legal Counsel
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- March 2025 - 4-H committee plans to start construction on booth
- Tomorrow (January 7, 2025) - Marty Luhr plans to pick up new truck
- IT winters meeting - Matthew McGregor looking to attend
- Developing Effective Leaders meeting - Matthew McGregor considering attendance
- Python Tools Workshop - Mark Reyes approved to attend
Key Points
- Commissioner reports on Republican State Convention and radio interview
- 4-H Food Booth rebuilding project
- Fair Board management and openings discussion
- Valley Recreation District feasibility study and funding
- County truck purchase from Utah dealership
- IT security purchases and phone system upgrades
- Extension Office report (presenter absent)
- Mapping department updates and training
- Legal counsel updates on leases and prosecuting attorney position
- Minutes approval
- Claims approval
- Indigent matters
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2024-01-08 Energy/Data Center
Minutes from Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting on January 8, 2024, covering routine county business including commissioner reports on airport matters and school district activities, approval of various claims totaling over $138,000, department head reports on maintenance and planning/zoning activities, and administrative decisions including adoption of ADP payroll system and repeal of the county fireworks ordinance.
Decisions Made
- Approved claims totaling $1,825.65 for Justice Fund
- Approved claims totaling $21,254.66 for Court Bond Trust and Restitution-Courts Funds
- Approved claims totaling $115,830.35 for multiple funds including General, Airport, District Court II, Justice, Revaluation, Auditor's Trust, and Assessor Trust-Licenses
- Approved Mid-Snake Regional Water Resource Commission amended 2023-24 budget with Jerome County's $2,552 annual share
- Adopted ADP as County payroll program and for background checks to replace Computer Arts
- Granted Billie Applewhite $20.94 credit for property tax penalties
- Granted Mary Garcia extension until March to pay remaining 2020 taxes
- Amended agenda to include Fair Board meeting attendance on January 9 at 6 p.m.
- Signed Ordinance 2024-1 to repeal Jerome County Fireworks Ordinance 1983-14, defaulting to State ordinance
Energy, Data Centers & Ordinances
- ETS (Eminent Technical Solutions) scheduled to begin building new data center at sheriff's office on January 16
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Danny Forsyth - discussed possibility of County purchasing his land adjacent to Jerome Airport
- Brent Culbertson - Maintenance Supervisor providing maintenance report on various county building projects
- Marty Luhr - Airport Manager reporting on airport operations, fuel inventory, and property matters
- Kacie Buhler - Planning and Zoning Administrator reporting on department revenue, code enforcement, and hiring plans
- Multiple department heads at luncheon including Scott Denning, Cody Westover, Desea Lance, Tanya Stitt, George Oppedyk, Mario Umana, Mike Seib, Cy Lootens, Mark Reyes, Andrea Gonzalez
- Mark Reyes - GIS presentation on mapping department services and capabilities for other county departments
- Eric Brady - Enterprise Fleet Management sales manager presenting vehicle fleet management services
- Conner Godsey - Enterprise Fleet representative participating virtually
- Bryan Craig - Hall and Associates insurance agent discussing ICRMP vehicle insurance coverage
- Desea Lance and Cody Westover - IT personnel reporting on Office 365 migration and staffing needs
- Billie Applewhite - requesting property tax penalty waiver via speakerphone
- Mary Garcia - representing Estate of Diva Gomez requesting property tax payment extension
- Mike Seib - Legal counsel presenting fireworks ordinance repeal
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- January 9, 6 p.m. - Fair Board meeting
- January 16 - ETS to begin building new data center at sheriff's office
- Within two weeks - Kacie Buhler planned to hire for open Planning and Zoning position
- End of February - target date for hiring human resources director
- March - deadline for Mary Garcia to pay remaining 2020 taxes
- Spring - Courthouse front door and frame replacement project scheduled
Key Points
- Commissioner reports on airport and school district matters
- Claims approval and payment processing
- Mid-Snake Regional Water Resource Commission budget
- Airport property acquisition consideration
- County maintenance and building projects
- Airport management and fuel inventory
- Planning and zoning enforcement and revenue
- Department heads coordination meeting
- Vehicle fleet management consultation
- Insurance policy updates
- IT system migration and staffing
- Property tax penalty waivers and payment extensions
- Fair Board meeting scheduling
- Fireworks ordinance repeal
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2026-01-12 Exec Session Open Meeting Violation
These are the minutes from the Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting held on January 12, 2026. The meeting covered routine business including commissioner reports on various community meetings, departmental monthly reports, board appointments, facility maintenance issues, and financial approvals. Key items included appointing Lisa Callen to the Snake River Canyon Parks Board, approving IT equipment purchases following a power outage, and discussing parking space rentals.
Executive Session Decisions
- The specific decision made during the executive session regarding personnel matters is not disclosed in the minutes, which is typical for executive sessions
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- Executive session was properly conducted under Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) for personnel matters with proper motion, second, and unanimous roll call vote
- Meeting had proper recess and reconvening procedures
Decisions Made
- Appointed Lisa Callen to the Snake River Canyon Parks Board to fulfill Becky Dean's remaining term
- Approved expenditure of $4,459.18 for IT equipment including battery backup, switch pro, and firewall racks due to Judicial Complex power surge
- Approved Resolution 2026-1 to eliminate and destroy records from the prosecutor's office
- Agreed to schedule a tour of the new National Guard building
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Brent Culbertson - maintenance department monthly report
- Lisa Callen - Snake River Canyon Parks Board interview candidate
- Bill Bridges - Parks Board member discussing overlook project
- Mark Swenson - Parks Board member present for interview
- Steve Irwin - parking space rental discussion for Main Street building
- Cy Lootens - present for multiple agenda items
- Virgil Horner - parking space rental discussion
- Kacie Buhler - Planning and Zoning monthly report
- Matthew McGregor - IT outage report and equipment purchases
- Eli Bair - IT department representative
- Andrea Gonzalez - misdemeanor probation monthly report
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- Future date to be scheduled for National Guard building tour
- Leadership classes for Andrea Gonzalez over the next several weeks
- 16-week internship pending approval for misdemeanor probation office
- Future tentative contract creation for parking space rental
Key Points
- Commissioner reports on community meetings and events
- Maintenance department monthly report and security office workstation
- Snake River Canyon Parks Board member interview and appointment
- Parking space rental discussion for Main Street building tenants
- Planning and Zoning monthly report including revenue and code enforcement
- University of Idaho joint projects and potential donations
- National Guard readiness center tour scheduling
- IT equipment purchases following Judicial Complex outage
- Overlook project donations and brick fundraising
- Misdemeanor probation monthly report and credit card reader request
- Resolution 2026-1 for destruction of old prosecutor records
- Legal counsel discussion regarding U of I donations
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2025-01-13 Concern Exec Session Open Meeting Violation
Jerome County Commissioners meeting minutes from January 13, 2025, documenting the swearing-in of newly elected officials, commissioner reports on various community meetings, appointment of Sam Beus as temporary prosecuting attorney, Fair Board member interviews, discussions about Valley Recreation District bond survey, IT equipment approvals, and construction updates for county facilities.
Executive Session Decisions
- Approved Barracuda subscription licenses for one year in the amount of $7,417.62 for network security
- Approved leasing two bizhub copier machines from Fisher Technologies for $74.40 per month for one year
- Appointed Sam Beus as temporary Jerome County Prosecuting Attorney until February 3rd due to Republican Central Committee not submitting required list of qualified attorneys
- Approved up to $2,500 to Condy, Stoker, Brown & Associates to update and confirm county W-2s
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- Multiple executive sessions held for personnel matters and firewall quotes, but specific discussions and outcomes not documented in public portion of minutes
- Fair Board discussion appears to have been truncated in the minutes with 'Continued Discussions' noted at the end without completion
Decisions Made
- Commissioner Crouch elected as Commissioner Chairman unanimously
- Decided to keep committee assignments the same for the upcoming year
- Decided to proceed with Fair Board interviews before making appointment decisions
- Decided to revisit Valley Rec District survey funding at a later time
- Approved temporary access card for Core Construction foreman for holiday work
- Approved storing generator and fuel tank temporarily at airport
- Appointed Sam Beus as temporary Prosecuting Attorney until February 3rd
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Concerns raised about Fair Board professionalism and ability to help new Fair Manager
- Discussion of responsible bidder vs lowest bidders policy at Idaho Association of Counties meeting
- Public defense issues discussed at legislative committee meeting
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Jacob Milner from SHIELD LLC presenting emergency and safety training services
- Judge Lothspeich conducting swearing-in ceremony
- Rob Grant discussing Valley Rec District bond survey
- Lola Fitzpatrick interviewed for Fair Board position
- Jarrod Jackson interviewed for Fair Board position
- Jarrett Mills interviewed for Fair Board position
- Amy Smith interviewed for Fair Board position
- Cliff Jaro interviewed for Fair Board position
- Wes Maines and Scott Reymore from Core Construction providing project update
- Mike Seib providing legal counsel on prosecutor appointment
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- February 3rd - end date for Sam Beus temporary prosecuting attorney appointment
- Republican Central Committee meeting scheduled for the week of January 13th
- Six months needed to set up MERF metal sorting pilot program
- Over a year wait time for two new ambulances for Idaho Paramedics
Key Points
- Swearing-in ceremony for elected officials
- Commissioner reports on community meetings
- Election of Commissioner Chairman
- SHIELD LLC security training services presentation
- Fair Board member appointments and interviews
- Valley Recreation District bond feasibility survey
- Emergency Management position interviews
- IT firewall and printer issues
- Core Construction courthouse project update
- W-2 payroll audit concerns
- Prosecuting Attorney appointment
- Millennial Ag Committee fundraising
- Southern Idaho Solid Waste MERF program
- Idaho Paramedics response times and equipment
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2024-01-16
This document contains the minutes from the Jerome County Board of Commissioners regular meeting held on January 16, 2024. The meeting covered routine administrative matters including claims approval, commissioner reports on various boards and committees, staff updates, and presentations from department heads and external organizations. Key discussions included Snake River Canyons Park development planning, airport expansion appraisal needs, and various personnel and operational matters.
Decisions Made
- Approved claims totaling $173,567.66 for January 9-16, 2024 claim cycle
- Approved paying employees for January 12 weather closure
- Approved leave requests for Andrea Gonzalez and Brent Culbertson
- Approved catering permit for El Sombrero for January 20, 2024
- Approved time records for 8 employees for December 31, 2023 through January 13, 2024 payroll period
- Decided to replace stained carpet with brown laminate flooring in front of clerk's office
- Determined to pursue fee appraiser for airport land valuation
- Agreed that Bill Bridges would send letters to landowner grazers about park developments
- Confirmed Cody Westover's work schedule of 8:30-5:00 after Desea Lance's resignation
- Approved waiver of $40 property tax penalty for Cindy Paulos due to health reasons
- Decided to wait for Fair Board response to January 2 letter before further action
- Determined Jerome County should pay Twin Falls for coroner coverage hours
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Mark Swenson (Assessor) - discussed airport land appraisal needs
- Bill Bridges and Brenda Weekes (Snake River Canyons Park Managing Board) - provided park development update and Five-Year Plan presentation
- Desea Lance and Cody Westover (IT Personnel) - provided IT department update
- Denise Helsley (Northside Tri-County Cooperative Weed Management Area Supervisor) - delivered noxious weed quarterly report
- Tanya Stitt (Emergency Management Director) - provided emergency management report
- Linda Montgomery (Jerome County representative to South Central Public Health Board) - cancelled but provided information via email
- Cindy Paulos (Property owner) - requested property tax penalty waiver via speakerphone
- Mike Seib (Legal Counsel) - provided legal advice on various matters
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- January 20, 2024 - El Sombrero catering permit from 5 P.M.-10 P.M.
- January 22 - Continued discussion of broadband grant RFP
- January 22 - Fair board matter to be addressed again
- January 26 - Desea Lance's resignation effective date
- January 29 through February 1 - Idaho Emergency Management Association Conference in Boise
- January 30 - State Homeland Security Program grants reporting due
- February - Twin Falls Fair Board vote for new president to replace Joe Davidson
- February - Pesticide workshop at Shoshone Community Center
- February 23 - Valley School District agriculture program community support deadline
- March - Next Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting
- End of April - Expected BLM paperwork timeline
Key Points
- Commissioner reports from various boards and meetings
- Claims approval and administrative matters
- Employee leave and time records
- Courthouse flooring replacement
- Airport land appraisal for expansion
- Snake River Canyons Park development and Five-Year Plan
- IT department updates and staffing
- Noxious weed management quarterly report
- Emergency management activities and grants
- Property tax penalty waiver request
- Legal counsel matters including broadband grant RFP and fair board issues
- Coroner services discussion
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2023-01-17 Concern Energy/Data Center Exec Session
This document contains minutes from a Jerome County Commissioners meeting on January 17, 2023, covering routine administrative matters, departmental reports, and public business. The meeting included commissioner reports on various boards and committees, approval of claims and personnel matters, quarterly reports from emergency services and planning departments, and updates on county projects including the Snake River Canyons Park and Lava Ridge Wind Project.
Executive Session Decisions
- Went into executive session per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) for personnel matters at 2 P.M., returned to open session at 2:10 P.M. - no specific decisions from executive session are mentioned in the document
Decisions Made
- Nominated Charlie Howell to serve on the CAT Board until implementation of HB735
- Approved time records for Brent Culbertson, Scott Denning, Deserae Jones, Nancy Marshall, Mark Reyes, Tanya Stitt, and Mario Umana
- Signed Employee Wage Change form to hire Dan Chatterton as coroner effective January 9, 2023
- Signed leave request for Brent Culbertson
- Approved Claims Approval Report dated January 13, 2023 totaling $138,340.28
- Approved claims for January 11-17, 2023 claim cycle
- Approved $3,200 for Rock Creek Quick Response Unit for software licensing and subscription, contingent on County budget
- Determined to make extra donation from current budget if funds available
- Determined to discuss Park Board reappointments at later date
- Determined to consult legal counsel about updating Park Master Plan
- Determined to consult legal counsel about amount owed to Computer Arts
Energy, Data Centers & Ordinances
- Lava Ridge Wind Project update presented by BLM representatives covering proposed wind project in Jerome, Lincoln, and Minidoka Counties
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submitted to EPA in January beginning 60-day review period
- Technology department priority to build secure data center mentioned
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Citizen complaints about half-way house violations and neighbor complaints
- Juvenile probation presentations about suicide prevention and gang membership
- Increasing graffiti and gang activity among juveniles
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Aaron Zent, Rock Creek Fire District Assistant Chief - quarterly report
- Nancy Marshall, Planning and Zoning Administrator - department report
- Bill Bridges, Snake River Canyons Park Managing Board Chairman - park update
- Tim Larson - airports report
- Cody Westover, System Administrator - technology update
- Desea Lance, IT Technician - technology update
- Kasey Prestwich, BLM Lava Ridge Project Manager - wind project update
- Lisa Cresswell, BLM Shoshone Office Manager - wind project update
- Mike Courtney, BLM Twin Falls Office Manager - wind project update
- Nathan Murray, Idaho Power - wind project update
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- March 6 Special Use Permit hearing for Moonlight Recovery needs notice by February 14
- Public meetings for proposed Recreation Zone after April 2023
- Fair plans for August 2023
- Spring equipment preparation for weed control
Key Points
- Commissioner reports from various boards and committees
- CAT Board nomination
- Time record approvals
- Personnel matters and wage changes
- Claims approval
- Rock Creek Quick Response Unit quarterly report
- Planning and Zoning report
- Department heads quarterly luncheon
- Snake River Canyons Park update
- Airports report
- Technology update
- Lava Ridge Wind Project update