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 — 2023-03-27 Concern Energy/Data Center Exec Session Open Meeting Violation
Minutes from Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting on March 27, 2023, covering routine county business including GIS training approval, fairgrounds updates, courthouse remodeling plans, opioid settlement contracts, probation reports, airport pavement rehabilitation bids, technology issues resolution, and various departmental reports and funding approvals.
Executive Session Decisions
- Executive session held from 10:36-11:12 A.M. for personnel matters per Idaho Code 74(206)(1)(b), but no specific decisions from the executive session were disclosed in the minutes
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- Document appears truncated mid-sentence on page 7 which may indicate incomplete minutes
- Executive session outcome not specifically reported - only states 'Return to open session' without detailing any decisions made
Decisions Made
- Approved Mark Reyes for ISU GIS training in Pocatello April 18-20
- Approved Mark Reyes assignment to Snake River Canyons Park Managing Board subcommittee
- Approved time records for seven employees for March 12-25, 2023 payroll period
- Approved claims totaling $49,161.16 for Justice Fund
- Approved claims totaling $36,689.33 for multiple funds
- Approved signing opioid participation and release forms for Allergan, CVS, Teva, Walgreens, and Walmart
- Approved approximately $1165 for juvenile probation personnel to attend Nevada gang conference
- Authorized up to $800 for Marty Luhr and Ralph Kincheloe to attend Idaho Airport Management Association conference
- Approved credit card for airport manager Marty Luhr with $1500 limit
- Authorized up to $1300 for three IT employees to attend Moscow IT conference in June
- Scheduled April 10 meeting to assign risk management roles and establish safety committee
Energy, Data Centers & Ordinances
- New data center planning discussed as part of courthouse remodeling project - architect to meet with maintenance supervisor to measure space
- Data center identified as first priority for construction in courthouse remodel
- IT department borrowed server from ETS and migrated storage, with more storage planned for new data center
- Lava Ridge wind energy facility opposition mentioned - commissioners scouted Hunt area for alternative venues to sign multi-county proclamation of non-support
- Commissioner Crouch sent letter to Idaho attorney general about potential problems for Jerome Airport from proposed windmills
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Mark Swenson argued that lighting fireworks is a Constitutional right under First Amendment freedom of speech
- Swenson compared flag burning protection to fireworks as protected speech
- Swenson referenced Jerome County Resolution 2021-16 regarding respect for Constitutional rights
- Swenson stated belief that Idaho law regarding fireworks is government overreach
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Mark Reyes - GIS matters and training requests
- Mark Swenson - fireworks constitutional rights (private citizen)
- Sandra and Dennis Capps - present during fireworks discussion
- Steve Maxwell (Maxwell Asphalt), Kent Atkin and Thomas Leisa (JUB Engineers) - airport pavement rehabilitation bids
- Deserae Calbo - misdemeanor probation report
- Mario Umana - juvenile probation report
- Marty Luhr - airports report
- Cody Westover and Desea Lance - technology matters
- Michelle Emerson and Tracee McKim - clerk matters
- Cy Lootens - risk management appointment
- Linda Montgomery - health district board representative update
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- April 18-20: ISU GIS training in Pocatello
- April 6-7: Idaho Airport Management Association conference in Boise
- April 26-28: Gang conference in Nevada for juvenile probation staff
- April 10: Meeting to assign risk management roles and establish safety committee
- June: Idaho Association of Counties IT conference in Moscow
- October: Need to replace some public defenders
Key Points
- GIS training and park board assignments
- Commissioner reports on fairgrounds, grandstands, courthouse remodeling
- Third Snake River Canyon bridge planning
- Fireworks regulations and constitutional rights
- Airport pavement rehabilitation bids
- Opioid settlement contracts
- Personnel leave policies
- Misdemeanor and juvenile probation reports
- Airport management and fuel prices
- Technology systems and data center planning
- Public defender recruitment
- Risk management assignments
- Health district budget updates
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2026-01-06 Duplicate Open Meeting Violation
This document records a Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting held January 6, 2025, focusing on employee handbook and policy reviews. The meeting included discussions about PTO and sick leave accrual rates, followed by a 58-minute executive session for personnel matters. The meeting was brief, lasting approximately 2.5 hours total.
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- Executive session lasted 58 minutes (10:31 am to 11:29 am) for personnel matters under Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b), but no decisions or outcomes from the executive session are documented in the minutes
- Minutes lack detail about what specific personnel matters were discussed or any resulting actions from the executive session
Decisions Made
- Motion passed unanimously via roll call vote to enter executive session per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) for personnel matters
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Jesse Vallez - discussed PTO and sick leave accrual rates and hour donation policies
- Cy Lootens - present for employee handbook and policies review discussion
Duplicate Check
Document title shows date as 01/06/2026 but content shows meeting date as January 6, 2025 - this appears to be a filename dating error rather than a duplicate, but creates confusion about the actual meeting date
Key Points
- Comprehensive Employee Handbook and Policies Review
- PTO (paid time off) accrual rates
- Sick leave accrual rates
- Policy regarding donating hours between employees
- Personnel matters (discussed in executive session)
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2026-03-30 Concern Energy/Data Center
This document records the March 30, 2026 Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting covering routine county business including coroner facility needs, IT upgrades and security measures, airport lease modifications, and a zoning map amendment for a recently de-annexed property.
Decisions Made
- Approved IT expenditures: $7,073.80 annually for backup support, $9,963.71 for ADA compliant website updates, and $3,000 plus monthly costs for IT performance assessment
- Approved Mark Doerr's request to change airport hangar lease from company name to personal name
- Approved release of lien on Higley hangar at airport
- Approved claims as presented by staff
- Approved PTO payouts as presented
Energy, Data Centers & Ordinances
- Commissioner Watkins attended an open house discussing BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)
- Commissioner Crouch attended the BESS open house
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Website ADA compliance requirements for accessibility to blind and deaf users
- Legal protection concerns regarding ADA compliance lawsuits
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Dan Chatterton - discussed coroner facilities needs
- Cy Lootens - present for coroner facilities and Veterans Affairs discussions
- Matthew McGregor - presented IT purchases and system needs
- Eli Bair - discussed ETS broadband installation and network topology
- Kacie Buhler - present for zoning map amendment hearing
- Ryan Christensen - present for zoning map amendment hearing
- Kolbie Simmons - requested zoning assignment for de-annexed property at 110 E 50 N
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- Six-month term mentioned for IT performance assessment
- Over six months timeline mentioned for search engine results updates to take effect
- Later date mentioned for reviewing Veterans Affairs information once Twin Falls expenses are received
Key Points
- Commissioner reports on various meetings attended
- Coroner facilities discussion and needs assessment
- IT purchases including offsite backups, website ADA compliance, and mobile device management
- ETS broadband network installation and testing
- Veterans Affairs services discussion
- Airport lease modifications and lien release
- Zoning map amendment for de-annexed property at 110 E 50 N
- Claims approval
- Employee PTO payout requests
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2025-03-31 Concern Energy/Data Center Exec Session
This document records the Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting from March 31, 2025, covering routine county business including IT infrastructure upgrades, personnel matters, and board appointments. The commissioners approved data cabling for a new data center, discussed security policies, conducted hiring interviews in executive sessions, and appointed Connie Kincheloe to the Agriculture Protection Area board.
Executive Session Decisions
- Personnel matter discussed in executive session from 1:39 pm to 1:50 pm but no specific decision recorded
- Adult probation employment interviews conducted in executive session from 2:02 pm to 2:52 pm but no specific hiring decision recorded
- IT department employee interviews conducted in executive session from 3:30 pm to 4:02 pm but no specific hiring decision recorded
Decisions Made
- Approved Impact5, LLC bid for cabling network project at $4,704.75
- Approved shipment of two printers at $800.00 each for return to Fishers Technology
- Approved new county password policy with multi-factor authentication
- Approved tire purchase from Wickel Tire Pros for $995.40
- Appointed Connie Kincheloe to the Agriculture Protection Area board
- Approved minutes from 3/24/25
- Approved claims as presented by staff
Energy, Data Centers & Ordinances
- New data center cabling installation approved for $4,704.75 from Impact5, LLC
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Agriculture Protection Area ordinance discussion focused on protecting farmland from development
- Mental health services presentation mentioned at Rotary meeting involving new brain imaging technology
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Matthew McGregor - IT matters and data cabling quotes
- Barry Biesen - present for data cabling discussion
- Mark Swenson - present for data cabling discussion
- Julie Arroyo - present for multiple agenda items
- Mark Reyes - GIS department monthly report
- Marty Luhr - Hazelton Airport discussion
- Jesse Vallez - scheduled for HR time but not present
- Andrea Gonzalez - present for adult probation interviews
- Kacie Buhler - present for Agriculture Protection Area discussion
- Connie Kincheloe - interviewed for Agriculture Protection Area board
Key Points
- Commissioner reports on meetings and activities
- Data cabling quotes for new data center and offices
- Copier return costs to Fishers Technology
- County IT security policy updates
- GIS department monthly report
- County truck tire replacement
- Hazelton Airport trespassing issues
- Airport runway problems and repairs
- Car show request at airport
- HR executive session
- Adult probation employment interviews
- Agriculture Protection Area board appointment
- IT department hiring interviews
- Meeting minutes approval
- Claims approval
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2024-04-01 Exec Session Open Meeting Violation
This document records the Jerome County Board of Commissioners meeting from April 1, 2024, where two commissioners conducted regular county business including departmental reports, budget approvals, and planning for major infrastructure projects. Key business included approving a $10.8 million broadband grant administration, purchasing new payroll software, and airport rehabilitation engineering services. The meeting included reports from multiple department heads and concluded with discussions about outstanding invoices for courthouse audio-visual equipment.
Executive Session Decisions
- Went into executive session per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(a) for hiring an employee from 11:17 A.M. to 11:46 A.M. - no specific decision mentioned upon return to open session
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- Executive session was held for 'hiring an employee' but no hiring decision or discussion results were reported upon return to open session, which may indicate incomplete minutes or improper executive session use
Decisions Made
- Approved catering permit for El Sombrero at The Risk Barn for April 20, 2024
- Approved JUB Engineers contract for airport taxilane rehabilitation design for $146,743.70
- Approved March 4 meeting minutes
- Authorized transfer of vehicle from Emergency Management to Sheriff's department
- Approved McKinlay & Klundt Appraisal Company engagement for $2,500 property appraisal
- Approved claims totaling $41,267.60
- Authorized $1,500 credit card for HR Director Jesse Vallez
- Approved Jesse Vallez work schedule change to 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. without lunch break
- Approved $6,495 WebCTRL software upgrade for Judicial Complex HVAC system
- Decided not to purchase HVAC software service agreement
- Approved $13,601.25 for TimeClock Plus and $2,520 for Computer Arts for new payroll time clock system
- Approved polling places for May 21, 2024 primary election
- Approved purchase of eight printer trolleys at $155 each
- Appointed Chief Deputy Clerk Tracee McKim as County broadband grant administrator
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Scott Denning - Veterans Service Officer/Board of Community Guardians coordinator/Risk Management report
- Steve Hines - University of Idaho Extension Educator report on extension office activities
- Mark Reyes - Mapping Specialist report on GIS projects and addressing updates
- Jesse Vallez - Human Resources Director report on policies and procedures
- Cody Westover and Matthew McGregor - IT staff presenting HVAC software upgrade needs
- Tracee McKim and Leanne Snowden - Clerk's office staff on payroll system updates
- Ryan Treanor and Cy Lootens - Election matters including polling places and equipment
- Jacob Johnson and Scott Linsley from Eminent Technical Solutions - Broadband grant planning and implementation
- Dave Orr - Hazelton Mayor attending broadband and election discussions
- Ange Black - Hazelton City Clerk
- Tanya Stitt - Emergency Management Director discussing AVI Systems invoice
- Ralph Kincheloe - Present for AVI Systems invoice discussion
Upcoming Dates & Activities
- April 8 - Department heads luncheon with nacho bar by Renew
- April 8 - Mark Reyes to bring GIS conference cost information
- April 20, 2024 - El Sombrero catering event at Risk Barn from 4 P.M. to 1 A.M.
- May 21, 2024 - Primary election date
- July - TimeClock Plus implementation expected to be active
- December 2026 - Deadline for completing broadband coverage from $10.8 million state grant
- April - Commissioner Watkins to complete quarterly jail inspection
Key Points
- Commissioner reports on community events and meetings
- Empty Bowls fundraiser planning
- Snake River Canyons Park maintenance
- Quagga mussel prevention
- Shoshone Falls overlook site visits
- Emergency planning and Narcan training
- Broadband grant application
- Catering permits
- Airport taxilane rehabilitation
- Emergency management vehicle transfer
- Property appraisal services
- Department heads luncheon planning
- Quarterly jail inspection
- Claims approval
- Veterans services
- Community guardianship program
- Risk management and employee training
- Extension office activities
- Mapping and GIS services
- Human resources policies
- HVAC software upgrades
- Payroll system implementation
- Election polling places and equipment
- Broadband infrastructure project planning
- Audio-visual equipment invoicing
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Commissioners — Minutes — 2024-01-09 Concern Exec Session Open Meeting Violation
This document records a joint meeting between the Jerome County Board of Commissioners and Fair Board on January 9, 2024, focusing on a conflict of interest issue involving a Fair Board member whose spouse is a county employee. The meeting included an executive session for legal discussion, followed by open discussion about what constitutes conflicts of interest for Fair Board members.
Executive Session Decisions
- No action was taken by the Commissioners out of executive session
Open Meeting Law Concerns
- The document contains inconsistent dating - header shows January 9, 2024 but footer pages show January 9, 2023
- Pages 3-5 are blank but still numbered, suggesting incomplete documentation
- There's a minor spelling error 'Fair Bord' instead of 'Fair Board' which could indicate rushed documentation
Decisions Made
- Commissioners left executive session at Fair Board's request at 7:30 P.M.
- Fair Board will consult with its legal counsel
- Commissioners will consult with their legal counsel
- Meeting was adjourned at 7:35 P.M.
Constitutional & Social Concerns
- Discussion of conflict of interest policies and their scope
- Questions about fair application of conflict standards to all board members
- Concerns about legal protections for volunteer board members
Guests, Speakers & Presentations
- Attorney Mike Seib provided legal counsel on Fair Board and Commissioner actions
- Bryant Nelson made a statement for the record regarding the conflict letter
Key Points
- Conflict of interest letter from Commissioners to Fair Board
- Fair Board member conflict involving spouse as employee
- Legal counsel advice on volunteer board member protections
- Historical precedents of Fair Board member family employment
- Various examples of potential conflicts including sponsor relationships
- Commissioner Howell's employment relationship creating potential conflict
- Property sale scenarios as potential conflicts
- Legal counsel consultation requirements