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 — 2025-02-10 Concern Open Meeting Violation
This document records the Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting from February 10, 2025, covering routine administrative matters, departmental reports, budget resolutions, and a significant discussion about Valley Recreation District open meeting law violations. The meeting addressed various county operations including airport improvements, probation services, IT purchases, and legal counsel on multiple issues.
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- Valley Recreation District not posting meeting minutes and agendas as required
- Previous decision regarding Valley Rec District survey funding was not properly agendized for afternoon discussion
- Ex parte communication concerns - information may have been received outside of open meeting that influenced Valley Rec District decision
- Valley Rec District meetings may not be following proper open meeting procedures
- Legal counsel advised that previous Valley Rec District motion should be redone due to improper agendizing
Decisions Made
- Approved Resolution 2025-2 accepting Idaho Airport Aid Program grant of $3,794 with county match of $11,280.50 for Jerome County Airport work
- Approved $500 cost for leadership training for probation officer Andrea Gonzalez
- Approved refund of $503.37 to Standard Dairy Consultants for permit fee overcharge
- Approved purchase of Apple M2 Max computer for $2,150 for Sam Beus for video editing
- Approved budget resolutions 2025-3 through 2025-21
- Decided to postpone Valley Rec District survey funding decision to future meeting with proper agendizing
- Decided to provide training for county boards on proper meeting procedures through Idaho Association of Counties
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Open meeting law violations and transparency concerns with Valley Recreation District
- Ex parte communication potentially influencing government decisions
- Public access concerns about meeting times preventing working citizens from attending
- Questions about proper government oversight of subsidiary boards and districts
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Julie Arroyo - Administrative staff present at multiple agenda items
- Andrea Gonzalez - Misdemeanor Probation monthly report
- Mark Reyes - GIS monthly report
- Kacie Buhler - Planning and Zoning monthly report
- Matthew McGregor - IT purchases discussion
- Barry Biesen - New IT staff introduction
- Marty Luhr - Snowplow purchase and airport concerns
- Tracee McKim - Budget resolutions presentation
- Cy Lootens - Budget matters
- Dean Dimond - Valley Rec District discussion participant
- Lyle Johnstone - Valley Rec District discussion participant
- Rob Grant - Valley Rec District board member
- Kimberly Johnson - Valley Rec District discussion participant
- Mark Johnson - Valley Rec District discussion participant
- Ron Rogers - Valley Rec District discussion participant
- Sylvia Crumrine - Valley Rec District discussion participant
- Ed Crumrine - Valley Rec District discussion participant
- Mike Seib - Legal counsel consultation
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- June 28th - Airport appreciation day
- March 18th-20th - Leadership training for probation officer
- Future meeting date TBD - Valley Rec District survey funding decision
- This week - Fair board meeting for camera system discussion
- Future date TBD - Training for county boards on meeting procedures
Key Points
- Commissioner reports and activities
- Idaho Airport Aid Program grant agreement
- Misdemeanor Probation monthly report
- GIS department monthly report
- Planning and Zoning monthly report
- IT equipment purchases
- Snowplow purchase discussion
- Budget resolutions
- Valley Recreation District open meeting law violations
- Legal counsel consultation
- Airport hangar inspection violations
- Fair board security cameras
- County equipment disposal procedures
- Employee policy violations regarding county property use
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2026-02-10 Concern Exec Session Open Meeting Violation
This document records a Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting from February 10, 2026, focusing primarily on revising the employee handbook and policies. The meeting included discussions about employee policy changes, performance management, probation periods, and hearing requirements, followed by an executive session to consider hiring an employee and a review of airport board reappointments.
Executive Session Decisions
- The Board held an executive session to consider hiring an employee but no specific hiring decision or outcome from the executive session was recorded in the minutes.
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- The executive session topic 'to consider hiring an employee' under Idaho Code 74-206(1)(a) may be improperly broad - this code section typically requires more specific justification for personnel matters.
- No mention of public comment period being provided during the meeting.
- The minutes lack detail about what specific actions or decisions, if any, were taken following the executive session.
Decisions Made
- Board suggested adding that recordings cannot be taken by employees upon separation
- Board suggested requiring performance reviews with all pay increases
- Board decided to maintain hearings for all instances of employee demotion, pay decrease, or termination (contrary to Jesse Vallez's recommendation)
- Motion passed unanimously to enter executive session
- Board decided to have one current airport board member meet with them before making reappointment decisions
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Discussion of restricting employee recordings upon separation could raise First Amendment and due process concerns
- Employee hearing requirements for disciplinary actions involve due process considerations
- Extension of probation periods by elected officials without clear standards could raise fairness and due process issues
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Jesse Vallez - presented employee handbook and policy changes
- Ralph Kincheloe - participated via phone regarding Airport Board matters
Key Points
- Comprehensive Employee Handbook and Policies Review
- Performance management procedures
- Employee probation periods
- Employee separation policies
- Pay increase procedures
- Employee hearings for disciplinary actions
- Executive session for hiring consideration
- Airport Board By-Laws and Board Members reappointment
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2024-02-12 Concern Open Meeting Violation
Minutes from Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting on February 12, 2024, covering routine county business including airport operations, fuel reimbursements, personnel matters, Snake River Canyons Park updates, tax exemptions, and various departmental reports. The meeting included discussions about bridge repairs, planning and zoning activities, and overdue tax collections.
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- Document appears truncated mid-sentence in the tax collection section, potentially indicating incomplete minutes
- No mention of public comment period in the minutes
Decisions Made
- Approved reimbursement check to Mark Doerr for overcharged aviation fuel in 2023
- Denied salary increases and additional personnel for misdemeanor probation department
- Hired Matthew McGregor as system security specialist in technology department
- Approved minutes from January 2 and January 9
- Approved time records for seven employees
- Approved claims totaling $60,621.01 for Justice Fund and $191,524.02 for multiple funds
- Approved letter to Idaho Department of Lands regarding Snake River Canyons Park trail
- Waived Planning and Zoning fee for second vault toilet in the park
- Approved $18,451 LED lighting project for jail with Idaho Power incentive
- Approved 63-602 W tax exemption for eight lots in Lazy T Ranch Estates
- Approved new swather blades for Jerome Airport costing $3,834.59
- Approved agreement with Century West Engineering for airport consulting services
- Assigned Marty Luhr as Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Officer (DBELO)
- Designated Commissioner Crouch to remain as reconsideration officer
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Planning and Zoning referred building permit violation case to prosecutor's office for life safety violations
- Code enforcement actions against property owners Candido Pena and Matt Myers for violations
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Elizabeth Hadley from KMVT television - conducting interviews about broken bridge project
- Bill Bridges, Snake River Canyons Park Managing Board chairman - broken bridge update and park report
- Chris Garner, Maintenance Assistant - maintenance report and jail lighting project
- Kacie Buhler, Planning and Zoning Administrator - department report and code enforcement
- Mark Swenson, Assessor - tax exemption presentation
- Curtis Turner, Turner Investments representative - tax exemption for Lazy T Ranch
- Marty Luhr, Airports Manager - airport operations report
- Kent Atkin, JUB Engineers - airport consulting agreement
- Thomas Leija, JUB Engineers - DBELO assignment
- Nina Lagle, Chief Deputy Treasurer - overdue taxes discussion
- Fabio Aguirre (by phone) - overdue tax payment discussion
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- March 7 - installation of second vault toilet at Roger Morley Arbor
- April - Empty Bowls fundraiser hosted by Community Action
- April - airport manager meeting in Sun Valley
- June 29 - Airport Day with 7 A.M. breakfast fundraiser and live music
- February 26 - continuation of Airport Board Appointments matter
Key Points
- Commissioner reports on school grants and community events
- Middle Snake Regional Water Resource Commission budget
- Precision Aviation fuel charges and reimbursement
- Fuel purchase agreement with Precision Aviation
- Misdemeanor probation salary requests
- Personnel hiring for technology department
- Snake River Canyons Park broken bridge project
- Planning and zoning violations and enforcement
- Tax exemption for Turner Investments Lazy T Ranch
- Airport maintenance and operations
- Engineering consulting agreements for airport improvements
- Overdue tax collections
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2023-02-13 Energy/Data Center
These are the official minutes from the Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting held February 13, 2023, with Chairman Ben Crouch and Vice Chairman John Crozier present (Commissioner Howell was excused). The meeting covered routine county business including personnel matters, budget approvals, facility maintenance, subdivision approval, and reports from various county departments and regional organizations.
Decisions Made
- Approved repair of coroner's truck battery and alternator not to exceed $700
- Approved wage increase for Marty Luhr as interim airport manager retroactive to January 18, 2023
- Set candidate interviews for airport manager position on February 28
- Approved change of misdemeanor probation employee from part-time to full-time
- Declared old bulletin board surplus property and approved giving it to Jane White
- Agreed to participate in County Focus magazine spring issue questionnaire
- Approved time records for multiple employees for January 29-February 11, 2023 payroll cycle
- Signed wage change forms for Matthew Robinson and Juana Arteaga
- Signed agreement with Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for $5,879 recreational boating safety grant
- Approved claims totaling $237,232.72 and $1,295 for various funds
- Approved preliminary subdivision plat for Silver Sky Subdivision with Planning and Zoning Commission conditions
Energy, Data Centers & Ordinances
- Commissioner Crouch participated in Resource Advisory Council meeting regarding BLM's Environmental Impact Statement for Lava Ridge Wind Project
- Commissioner Crouch requested BLM consult airport owners about wind turbine height concerns
- Commissioner Crouch asked BLM for 30-day extension before wind project decision
- Commissioner Crouch discussed with Twin Falls County Commissioner about five-county resolution against Lava Ridge and Salmon Falls Wind Projects
- Jason Parker reported that Lava Ridge Wind Project Environmental Impact Statement includes Magic Valley Energy being responsible for weed control
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Matt Ahrens from EHM Engineers presenting Silver Sky Estates Subdivision preliminary plat
- Jim and Vicci Archer as neighbors to Silver Sky Estates Subdivision
- Jason Parker as superintendent of Northside Tri-County Cooperative Weed Management Area
- Brent Culbertson presenting maintenance report
- Nancy Marshall presenting Planning and Zoning report
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- February 17 - Commissioner Crouch deadline to notify County Focus magazine of participation
- February 28 - Airport manager candidate interviews scheduled
- March 17 - County Focus magazine questionnaire due date
Key Points
- Commissioner reports from various boards and organizations
- Compensation time accrual for airport employee
- Wage changes and employee promotions
- Airport manager hiring process
- Employee position change from part-time to full-time
- Surplus property disposal
- County Focus magazine participation
- Public defender attorney posting
- Time record approvals
- Tort claim procedures
- Claims approval and payment
- Maintenance report on courthouse and jail demolition
- Noxious weed management operations
- Silver Sky Estates subdivision preliminary plat approval
- Planning and zoning monthly report
- Lava Ridge Wind Project concerns
- Economic development updates
- Fair board activities
- Mental health services gaps assessment
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2026-02-23 Concern Energy/Data Center Open Meeting Violation
This document contains minutes from a Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting held February 23, 2026, covering routine county business including commissioner reports, financial audit review, airport board appointments, budget resolutions, and a workshop on proposed energy facility ordinance amendments.
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- The document appears to be truncated mid-sentence during the energy facility ordinance workshop discussion, which may indicate incomplete minutes recording
- No mention of proper public notice procedures for the workshop portion of the meeting
Decisions Made
- Approved airport advisory board reappointments with specified term changes
- Approved tri county weed agreement
- Approved waiving of fees up to $1000 for Boys and Girls Club building inspection and plan review
- Approved first quarter budget resolutions 2026-4 through 2026-11
- Approved America 250 grant paperwork including resolution 2025-12 for Jerome and Eden/Hazelton 4th of July events
- Approved claims as presented by staff
- Approved minutes with indicated changes
- Approved PTO payouts as presented
Energy, Data Centers & Ordinances
- Workshop held on proposed amendments to Chapter 10 of the Comprehensive Plan to add language on large-scale energy projects
- Discussion of adding Chapter 11 Energy Facilities to the Zoning Ordinance
- Planning and zoning commission raised concerns about use of agricultural land for energy facilities
- Discussion of property rights regarding energy facilities
- Issues raised about spot zoning for parcels to be moved to industrial designation
- Conditional use permits discussed as method to vet proposed energy facilities
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Property rights concerns raised regarding energy facility restrictions on private land
- Potential spot zoning issues that could affect property use rights
- Discussion of balancing county control over development with individual property owner rights
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Vanessa Davis from Condie, Stoker, and Brown - yearly financial audit review
- Cy Lootens - various budget and administrative matters
- Tracee McKim - audit review
- Marty Luhr and Jon Highley - airport board matters
- Emily Gonzalez - misdemeanor probation monthly report
- Heather Eastman from Idaho Business for the Outdoors - public lands discussion
- David Thibault and Kacie Buhler - Boys and Girls Club fee waiver request
- Bill Bridges and Larry Hall - Shoshone Falls Overlook discussion
- Ysabel Bilbao and Melissa Muney from Bilbao and Company - professional services contract
- Amanda Worthington, Steve Ricketts, Sam Verret, Chris Dunn, and Jarrett Milk - fairgrounds vehicles and horse racing barn
- Brett Thompson, Oscar Carranza, Patricia Heath, Becky Dean, Janet Bolich, Ryan Christensen, Julie Dewolfe Arroyo, Jerry Holton, Connie Kincheloe, Ralph Kincheloe, Steve Marshall, Anthony Crutch, Aaron Menenberg, Elizabeth Koeckeritz, Ufuoma Ojumah, Zairyk Schilousky, Teri Stokes, Katy Riker, and Lyle Johnstone - energy facilities workshop
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- May 1st - hoped ribbon cutting date for Shoshone Falls Overlook
- May 16th - annual park cleanup
- 12/31/26 - various airport board member term endings
- 12/31/28 - airport board member term endings for reappointed members
Key Points
- Commissioner activity reports
- Yearly financial audit review
- Airport board member appointments and bylaws
- Misdemeanor probation monthly report
- Tri County Weed Board joint powers agreement
- Jerome County public lands discussion
- Inspection and review fee waiving for Boys and Girls Club
- Shoshone Falls Overlook employees and security
- First quarter budget resolutions and America 250 grant
- Professional services contract discussion
- Fairgrounds vehicles and horse racing barn
- Claims approval
- Minutes approval
- Employee PTO payout requests
- Workshop on energy facilities ordinance amendments
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2025-02-24 Concern Energy/Data Center Exec Session Open Meeting Violation
This document contains minutes from the Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting on February 24, 2025, covering routine county business including infrastructure projects, budget matters, personnel issues, and inter-governmental coordination. Major topics included fiber network agreements with ETS, Valley Recreation District survey funding, corrections to urban renewal ordinances, and discussions about wind/solar project ordinances similar to Gooding County's approach.
Executive Session Decisions
- Executive session was held from 1:35 pm to 2:03 pm per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) for personnel matters, but no specific decisions from the executive session were reported in the minutes
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- The minutes do not clearly specify what decisions, if any, were made during or as a result of the executive session, which could indicate incomplete recording of executive session outcomes
Decisions Made
- Approved sale of old water heater from former jail with no value designation
- Approved $1,500 allocation from commissioner donation line item for Valley Rec District survey (Commissioner Crouch voted against)
- Approved payment of amounts owed to employees based on payroll audit findings
- Approved correction to Ordinance 2024-6 for North Bridge Junction Urban Renewal Plan (Commissioner Crouch abstained)
- Approved Snake River Parks development plan for Shoshone Falls overlook to submit to BLM
- Confirmed pre-approved budget coverage for Eden and Hazelton cleanup day dumpsters
- Approved North Canyon Medical Center's property tax exemption application renewal
- Approved cancellation of taxes on four mobile home parcels totaling $1,956.36
Energy, Data Centers & Ordinances
- Discussion of Gooding County ordinance regarding large scale solar and wind projects and battery storage systems
- Jerome County Commissioners expressed willingness to support similar ordinance with formal document revisions
- Legal counsel consulted about creating county ordinance to address wind and solar projects
- Mention of moratorium as potential approach, referencing previous coal firing plant situation
- Discussion of 'dangerous battery storage systems' as part of energy project concerns
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Discussion of tax deed proceedings for incarcerated individual who cannot pay property taxes due to incarceration status
- Suggestion for hardship exemption for incarcerated property owner
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Scott Barrett, Scott Linsley, Chad Larson - fiber project update and ETS agreements
- Brent Culbertson - maintenance department monthly report
- Ed Crumrine, Sylvia Crumrine, Jerry Holton, Lyle Johnstone, Judy Holland, Bonnie Ferrenburg, James Ferrenburg - Valley Rec survey funding
- Tracee McKim - payroll audit findings and employee reimbursements
- Brent Tolman - Ordinance 2024-6 correction presentation
- Brenda Weekes, Larry Hall, Mark Reyes - Snake River Parks overlook project
- Mike Seib - legal counsel on various matters
- Nina Lagle, Windy Jay - tax cancellations and property tax matters
- Mario Umana - juvenile probation monthly report
- Marty Luhr - snowplow purchase discussion
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- April 11th - Valley Ag committee auction at Crestview
- Next month - state review of county juvenile probation numbers
- Next year - potential part-time cleaner position to be added to maintenance department budget
- Next year's budget - snowplow blade purchase timing
Key Points
- Commissioner reports and meeting attendance
- Fiber project updates and ETS agreements
- Maintenance department monthly report
- Valley Recreation District survey funding
- Employee reimbursement from payroll audit
- Personnel matters (executive session)
- Ordinance 2024-6 correction for North Bridge Junction Urban Renewal
- Snake River Canyon Parks Shoshone Falls Overlook Project
- City of Hazelton dumpster disposal service
- North Canyon Medical Center property tax exemption
- Tax cancellations and property tax issues
- Juvenile probation monthly report
- Snowplow purchase discussion
- Gooding County wind and solar ordinance discussion
- Legal counsel consultation
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2025-01-07
This document represents the official minutes for the Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, 2025. The document explicitly states that no meeting was held on this date. This is a brief administrative record indicating the cancellation or absence of the scheduled meeting.
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2026-02-24 Concern Exec Session Open Meeting Violation
This document records a Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting from February 24, 2026, covering three main agenda items: approval of tax penalty waiver for a resident whose mother had unpaid taxes, review of employee handbook policies including drug testing and AI use guidelines, and discussion of operational structure for Snake River Canyon Parks including the upcoming Shoshone Falls overlook project.
Executive Session Decisions
- The minutes indicate an executive session occurred for personnel matters per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) from 11:12 am to 11:25 am, but no specific decisions from the executive session are disclosed in the public record.
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- The executive session topic of 'personnel' under Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) appears appropriate, but no specific personnel matter is identified, which may not provide sufficient detail for public transparency.
Decisions Made
- Motion approved unanimously to cancel penalties and interest in the amount of $357.48 for parcel number RPJ17580010050
- Motion approved unanimously to enter executive session per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) for personnel matters
- Board directed that online payment options be explored further for parks
- Board requested quote from security company for money collection services
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Random drug testing policy for certain county employee positions raises potential Fourth Amendment workplace privacy considerations
- Workplace surveillance and monitoring policies through computer use restrictions may implicate employee privacy rights
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Melisa Harris - spoke about her mother's unpaid property taxes
- Nina Lagle - discussed tax payment plan and prevention of home jeopardy
- Jesse Vallez - presented employee handbook policy updates
- Cy Lootens - discussed Snake River Canyon Parks operational issues
- Sam Beus - legal counsel present for executive session
- Matthew McGregor - present for parks discussion
- Eli Bair - present for parks discussion
- Windy Jay - present for parks discussion
- Bill Bridges - discussed parks profit expectations and security services
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- Snake River Canyon Parks overlook project opening soon (specific date not provided)
- Future budget considerations needed for park employee wages
Key Points
- Personal Property Taxes - penalty and interest waiver
- Comprehensive Employee Handbook and Policies Review
- Alcohol and drug free workplace policy
- Random drug testing procedures
- Workplace violence policy updates
- Health-related absence policies
- Employee relationship disclosure policies
- County computer use policies
- AI use by county employees
- Snake River Canyon Parks operational scope
- Shoshone Falls overlook project
- Employee hiring and oversight for parks
- Online payment systems for parks
- RV park operations
- Park employee compensation and budgeting
- Security services for money collection
- Volunteer opportunities for park operations
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2024-02-26 Concern Open Meeting Violation
Minutes from the Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting on February 26, 2024, covering routine business including claims approval, commissioner reports, airport operations, urban renewal area expansion, juvenile probation matters, emergency management updates, election equipment purchases, and various administrative items. The meeting included multiple department heads presenting reports and requests for approval.
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- Document appears truncated mid-sentence at the end, suggesting incomplete minutes
- No mention of public comment period which is typically required for public meetings
Decisions Made
- Approved claims totaling $141,273.97 across multiple funds
- Approved Time Records for seven employees
- Approved minutes from February 12 and 16
- Approved discounted fuel pricing for Air Race Classic event
- Approved Resolution 2024-13 for Urban Renewal Northbridge Junction Area 2
- Approved $640 for replacement windshields for juvenile probation vehicles
- Approved $9,756 election equipment purchase from Election Systems & Software
- Approved $8,520 additional election equipment purchase
- Appointed Ida Clark to Region IV Development Association Board
- Approved tax payment agreement with Fabio Aguirre for $3,728 by March 5
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Conflict of interest issues discussed regarding Fair Board member and Fair office employee
- Commissioner Crouch recused himself from urban renewal vote due to conflict of interest
- Discussion of solicitor ordinance regulating door-to-door solicitation
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Chris Garner - Maintenance Assistant discussing jail heating repairs
- Marty Luhr - Airport Manager presenting airports report
- Brent Tolman - Outwest Policy Advisors presenting urban renewal eligibility report
- Mario Umana - Juvenile Probation Administrator with probation report
- Jeff Miller - New liaison from Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections
- Scott Denning - Veterans services officer/Board of Community Guardians coordinator/risk management
- Cy Lootens - County clerk/auditor/recorder discussing election equipment
- Bryan Craig - requesting dumpster for Snake River Canyons Park
- Tanya Stitt - Emergency Management Director with emergency management report
- Michelle McFarlane - RIVDA representative
- Jeff McCurdy - RIVDA representative
- Fabio Aguirre - taxpayer with overdue taxes
- Mark Reyes - serving as interpreter
- Tevian Kober - Treasurer
- Mike Seib - Legal counsel
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- March 5 at 5 P.M. - deadline for Fabio Aguirre tax payment
- March 7 - Public Information Officer workshop
- March 8 - Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting
- March 11 - Airport Board appointments continued to this date
- March 11 - workshop with Marty Luhr regarding employment hours
Key Points
- Commissioner reports from various meetings and events
- Claims approval for multiple funds
- Airport operations and Advisory Board appointments
- Urban Renewal Area expansion
- Jail maintenance and heating repairs
- Juvenile probation operations
- Veterans services and community guardianship
- Emergency management grants and training
- Election equipment purchases
- Regional development association board appointment
- Overdue tax payment agreement
- Legal matters including fuel purchase agreements and solicitor ordinance
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2023-02-27 Concern Energy/Data Center Exec Session Open Meeting Violation
Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes from February 27, 2023, covering commissioner reports from various community events and board meetings, administrative approvals including software licenses and airport projects, updates on Snake River Canyons Park development, probation office reports, Idaho Power's $100,000 contribution for Shoshone Falls overlook engineering studies, and discussions about the controversial Lava Ridge Wind Project with public comment period extension.
Executive Session Decisions
- Executive session held from 11:18-11:20 A.M. regarding personnel matters under Idaho Code 74(206)(1)(b), but no specific decisions from this session were reported in the public record
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- Executive session was very brief (2 minutes) which raises questions about whether substantive personnel matters could have been properly discussed
- Document appears to be truncated mid-sentence during the Lava Ridge Wind Project discussion, potentially indicating incomplete minutes
Decisions Made
- Motion carried to renew appointments of John Toolson, Gary Oliver, and Ralph Kincheloe to the Airports Advisory Board
- Approved Rocky Mountain West invoice for $16,000 for broadband study
- Approved time records for seven employees for February 12-25, 2023 payroll period
- Motion carried to approve $13,800 cost to Environmental Systems Research Institute (esri) for upgraded GIS license
- Signed catering permit for South Hills Bar & Grill for March 4, 2023 event
- Motion carried to approve contract with CentralSquare's Public Safety Software Solution for Jerome County Sheriff's Office for $89,911.86
- Motion carried to sign Agreement for Professional Services for Hazelton Airport taxiway project with JUB Engineers
- Claims approval was continued until February 28
Energy, Data Centers & Ordinances
- Lava Ridge Wind Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) discussion with Magic Valley Energy representatives
- BLM extended public comment period for Lava Ridge Wind Project by 30 days until April 20
- Magic Valley Energy comfortable with BLM's Option C as compromise for wind project
- Discussion about wind project's impact on grazing (document truncated)
- Idaho Power's involvement in economic development and recreational projects including $100,000 contribution for Shoshone Falls overlook engineering studies and additional $250,000 pledged for construction
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Lava Ridge Wind Project generating local opposition with residents present to voice concerns
- Community Unity gathering specifically focused on celebrating Mexican culture and helping people work together, suggesting potential community tensions
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Jim Walters and Ellen Riffle - Hazelton Airport property inquiry
- Mark Reyes, GIS specialist - software license upgrade request
- Bill Bridges and Sue Williams, Snake River Canyons Park Managing Board - park updates
- Mario Umana, Juvenile Probation Administrator - monthly probation report
- Deserae Calbo, Misdemeanor Probation Administrator - monthly probation report
- Seven Idaho Power representatives (Aaron Utz, Jordan Rodriguez, Brad Bowlin, Jim Mason, Joe Kendall, Fred Noland, Nathan Murry) - Shoshone Falls overlook funding presentation
- Larry Hall, Jerome 20/20 - economic development
- Kent Atkin, JUB Engineers Airport Consultant - Hazelton Airport taxiway project
- Cody Westover and Desea Lance, IT personnel - sheriff's office software upgrade
- Deputy Sheriffs Rick Bohling and Chad Kingsland - software needs
- Sheriff George Oppedyk and Tanner Johns - software approval
- Amy Schutte, Luke Papez, and Shawn Mock, Magic Valley Energy - Lava Ridge Wind Project update
- County Assessor Mark Swenson - wind project discussion
- Local residents Cody Bradford, Kye Copeland, Brode Mitchell, and Tanner Johns - wind project concerns
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- February 28 - continued claims approval
- March 1 - Deserae Calbo supervisor training in Boise
- March 4, 2023, 2 P.M. until 12 A.M. - South Hills Bar & Grill catering event at Risk Barn
- March 27, 2023 - bid opening scheduled for Hazelton Airport taxiway project
- April 20 - extended deadline for Lava Ridge Wind Project public comments
- April 25 - South Central Community Action Partnership Empty Bowls fundraiser
- May 1, 2023 through April 30, 2024 - GIS licensing renewal period
- October 1 - target date for CentralSquare software to go live when Computer Arts contract terminates
- Fall 2023 - North Side Canal decommissioning around Hazelton Airport
- 2023 - Hazelton Airport taxiway project design phase
- Following year (2024) - Hazelton Airport taxiway construction phase
Key Points
- Commissioner reports from various meetings and events
- Southern Idaho Regional Solid Waste District recycling proposals
- True West Beef executive open house
- Joe Robinette's 50-year fire department service recognition
- Community Unity gathering for Mexican culture celebration
- Lava Ridge Wind Project BLM open house
- Airport Advisory Board reappointments
- Hazelton Airport property lease/purchase inquiry
- Rocky Mountain West broadband study invoice approval
- Employee time record approvals
- GIS software license upgrade
- Snake River Canyons Park updates and improvements
- Juvenile probation statistics and graffiti cases
- Misdemeanor probation statistics
- Idaho Power Shoshone Falls overlook funding presentation
- Hazelton Airport taxiway paving project
- Sheriff's office software upgrade from Computer Arts to CentralSquare
- Lava Ridge Wind Project Draft EIS public comment period extension
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2026-03-02 Exec Session Open Meeting Violation
Minutes from the Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting on March 2, 2026, documenting commissioner reports on various community meetings and activities, approval of routine administrative matters including destruction of old election and evidence records, IT equipment purchases totaling $39,040, HR training approval, and GIS software renewal and conference attendance.
Executive Session Decisions
- Executive session was held per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) for personnel matters from 11:01 am to 11:31 am, but no specific decisions from the executive session were disclosed in the minutes
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- Executive session topic is vaguely described as 'for personnel' without specifying which personnel matter exception under Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) applies
- No mention of public comment period in the meeting structure
Decisions Made
- Approved Resolution 2026-13 for destruction of old election records from 2021-2025 (unanimous)
- Approved IT purchases for switches and computers totaling $39,040.00 (unanimous)
- Approved $975 for PSHRA training for Jesse Vallez (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 2026-14 for destruction of old evidence records (unanimous)
- Approved $2,800 for Mark Reyes to attend ESRI user convention in San Diego in July (unanimous)
- Approved GIS software renewal with ESRI for $5,825.00 (unanimous)
- Accepted parking space lease bid of $35 per space per month
- Approved claims as presented (unanimous)
- Approved PTO payout requests (unanimous)
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Steve Hines - Extension Office monthly report
- Cy Lootens - Resolution for destruction of old election records
- Matthew McGregor - IT purchases and updates
- Eli Bair - IT matters
- Gary Taylor - Executive session and evidence records destruction
- Sam Beus - Executive session
- Jesse Vallez - HR training expense request
- Rick Bohling - Evidence records destruction
- Mark Reyes - GIS monthly report
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- Tomorrow's meeting mentioned for Snake River Canyon Parks security discussion
- HR training classes mentioned as 'taking place soon'
- ESRI user convention in San Diego in July 2026
- Upcoming bid for waste transfer station mentioned by Commissioner Howell
Key Points
- Commissioner activity reports
- Extension Office monthly report
- Destruction of old election records
- IT purchases for broadband grant completion
- Website search engine optimization issues
- Security camera installation progress
- HR training expenses
- Destruction of old evidence records
- GIS monthly report and software licensing
- Auction for parking space lease
- Claims approval
- Employee PTO payouts
DOCX
Commissioners — Minutes — 2025-01-14
This document represents the official minutes for a Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, 2025. The document serves as a formal record indicating that no meeting was held on this date. The minutes are extremely brief, containing only the date and a statement that no meeting occurred.