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minutes meeting date 2025-08-25 · fetched 2026-09-13 · 17930 characters · official file · plain text
Cassia County Board of Commissioners
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, August 25,2025
Cossia County Courthouse . Commission Chombers
7459 Overland Ave . Room 206 . Burley lD 83378
9:00 AM The Cassia County Board of Commissioners met today at the place and time as posted by agenda
pursuant to ldaho Code 5 74-204 for Open Meetings Law.
ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
9:03 AM Call to order
1
2
3
Pledge of Allegiance and prayer
9:05 AM Rollcall
Roll Call.
Present: Leonard M. Beck - Chair, Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, RickiTkachyk - Deputy Clerk
(Not voting)
4) 9:05 AM Calendar, meetings, committee reports, and correspondence were reviewed
5) 9:06 AM Approve payables tor 8/25/2025
9:07 AM Motion and Action: Approve payables in the amount of 5157,634.29 as presented on 8/25/2025,
Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
9:07 AM Assistant to the Board Kerry McMurray joined the meeting
5) 9:08 AM Approve minutes trom 6/L6/2025
9:08 AM Motion and Action: Approve the minutes from 6/16/2025 as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle -
Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
7) 9:09 AM Approval of synopses for March, April, and May
9:09 AM Motion and Action: Approve synopses for March, April, and May as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau -
Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
8) 9:11 AM Approva I of Clerk's Office recommendations regard ing junior college Certificates of Residency
9:l.1AM Motion and Action: Approve the 29 applicants for Certificates of Residency as presented, Moved by
Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
9) 9:11 AM Personnel Matters - Change of Status Requests
a) Extension - Natalie Kornbau - 4-H Program Assistant - Termination
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, August 25, 2025
lnstrument # 202600047'|
BURLEY. CASSIA, IDATTO
Recorded tor : CASSIA COUNTY
Pagcs: 9
coMMISSIONERS
2-9-?026
12112112 PM
No. of
JOSEPH LARSEN
ExOffcio Recorder DcPutY
l lPage
hder to: COMialSSlOiIERS
Mlr,lulES
Fee: 0.00 al
9:12 AM Motion and Action: Approve the Change of Status that has been presented from the Extension, Moved
by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
10) Executive Sessions
11:04 AM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 874-206 (1) (b) to consider
personnel issues, ldaho Code I74-206 (1) (f) to communicate with legalcounsel regarding pend ing/imminently-
likely litigation and ldaho Code 5 74-206 (1) (i) to communicate with risk manager/insurer regarding
pending/imm inently-likely claims, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member.
vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 3).
Yes: Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
11:39 AM Upon exit of Executive Session, the Board took the matter under advisement
12:33 PM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 974-206 (1) (b) to consider
personnel issues, ldaho Code 5 74-206 (1) (f) to communicate with legal counsel regarding pending/imm inently-
likely litigation and ldaho Code 5 74-206 (1) (i) to communicate with risk manager/insurer regarding
pending/imm inently-likely claims, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 3).
Yes: Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
12:54 PM Upon exit of Executive Session, the Board took the matter under advisement
L7l 72:2L PM Cottonwood Acres Appeal Discussion
a) Prosecutor Mccord Larsen stated that the appellant alleged a procedural due process violation due to
the late arrival of information, resulting in insufficient time to consider water-related impacts.
b) He recommended that the Board review the hearing recording and submitted exhibits for clarification.
12) 9:15 AM Approve and execute Resolution No. 2025-016 approving Eagle Eye Dairy Conditional Use Permit
(CU P)/Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permits
a) H & E Holdings, LLC applied to expand Eugene Matthews' feedlot in oakley Basin, adding 6,191.38
animal units and using 3,095.69 acres for density.
b) Planning and Zoning reviewed the proposal in.luly and recommended approvalwith ten conditions. Key
conditions included reduced setbacks (from 100 feet to 60 or 80 feet) and use of the existing lagoon.
9:18 AM Motion and Action: Approve Resolution No. 2025-016 pertainin8 to Eagle Eye Dairy's application for a
CUP/CAFO permits as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member.
Motion passed una nimously.
13) 9:20 AM Receive Transmittal Letter from Planning & Zoning on H & E Holdings, LLC applications for
CUP/CAFO
14) 12:30 PM Set date and sign notice of hearing for H & E Holdings, LLC applications for CUP/CAFO
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUTAR SESSION
Monday, August 25, 2025
2lPage
1.2:32 PM Motion and Action: Set public hearing for the application for Conditional Use Permit and CAFO permit
for application 2025-O3-CUP ICAFO on LO/L512025 at 10:00 AM, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded
by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
SCHEDULED ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
15) 9:28 AM Public Hearing for FY2026 County Road and Bridge budget
9:29 AM Motion and Action: Enter a public hearing for the County Road and Bridge budget, Moved by Kent R
Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
a) 9:29 AM Auditor Joseph Larsen led a discussion on the proposed FY2026 Road & Bridge budget,
presenting a total appropriation of 5712,150.00, which reflects a 5525.00 decrease from the FY2025
budget. He noted that under ldaho Code S31-1606, this budget must be addressed separately.
b) Deputy Auditor Michelle Wallace noted that the FY2026 magnesium chloride line item increased
S10,000.00 for anticipated price changes, with overall reductions still resulting in a net budget decrease
c) 9:40 AM Public comment was requested. Mr. Earl Worthen addressed the Board with concerns about
increased truck traffic in the Albion and Oakley areas due to gravel hauling for interstate construction.
d) Larsen explained that the affected roads were located within the established highway districts and
outside the county road and bridge jurisdiction. He clarified that the road and bridge budget applied
only to county-maintained roads within the boundaries of the district as established.
9:43 AM Motion and Action: Close the public hearing for FY2026 County Road and Bridge budget, Moved by
Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
9:43 AM Motion and Action: Approve FY2026 County Road and Bridge budget 5712,150.00 as presented,
Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
16) 9:44 AM Public Hearing for FY2026 County budget
9:44 AM Motion and Action: Enter a hearing for FY2026 County budget, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member,
Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
a) 9:44 AM Auditor Joseph Larsen provided a n overview of th e FY2O26 County budget, noting that while
the Road and BridBe budget had been addressed in a separate public hearing, it is incorporated within
the overall county budget. He reported that the budget process began in May, during which
departments submitted expenditure estimates that were subsequently aligned with projected revenues
from property taxes, state revenue sharing, and federal payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) funds.
b) Remaining federal COVID-19 relief funds were allocated primarily to capital improvements, including a
new county building. He noted that allowed sufficient funding for the FY2026 budget without exceeding
levy limits.
c) Various increases and reductions to budget lines were discussed. lt was noted that the sheriff's budget
increased; reflecting the consolidation ofthe Burley city Iaw enforcement contract budget into the
county law enforcement budget. The 911 communications budget was increased to fund necessary
technology upgrades. The overall budget totaled 545,311,365.00.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUI.AR SESSION
Monday, August 25, 2025
3lPage
10:10 AM Motion and Action: Close the public hearing for the proposed FY2026 Cassia County budget. Moved
by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
10:1.0 AM Motion and Action: Approve FY2026 County budget in the amount of 545,311,365.00 to include the
Road and Bridge budget allocation as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle -
Member. Motion passed una nimously.
17) 10:11 AM Sign the County/Road and Bridge L-2 Certification for Tax Year 2025
a) Deputy Auditor Michelle Wallace reviewed the FY2026 budget publication and confirmed that it
matched the tax year 2025 L-2 certification.
b) The L-2 included the recovery of an ldaho Power.iudgment in the amount of S37,629.00; for a total
amount of S45,348,994.00, with a levied balance of $7 ,422,634.OQ.
10:13 AM Motion and Action: Approve the chairman's signature for the presented L-2 fot FY2026, Moved by
Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
18) 10:15 AM Review and approve Tyler Technologies, lnc. Service Agreement for FY2O26 fo( Recorder's Office -
Clerk Joseph Larsen
a) Clerk Larsen proposed a contract with Tyler Technologies for a new records system, to be included in the
FY2026 lT budget.
b) The system enhances public access and document security. Data migration is included, and the system
aligns the county with modern standards.
10:20 AM Motion and Action: Approve Tyler Technologies Service Agreement as presented, Moved by Kent R
Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
10:42 AM Prosecutor Mccord Larsen joined the meeting
19) 10:21 AM Department Head Reports lncluding Budgetary Updates
a) Reports were received from the following department heads: Clerk Joseph W. Larsen, Treasurer Laura
Greener, Extension Educator Grace Wittman, Building and Grounds supervisor Pete Hernandez, Coroner
Craig Rinehart, 5heriff Jared Thompson, lT Administrator Ean Pigford, Assessor Mart Adams, Prosecutor
Mccord Larsen, Building & Zoning Administrator Kerry McMurray,
b) The various budgets were noted to be within limits and departmental activities were reviewed
c) ltem of note included:
i) Clerk Larsen noted that preparations were underway for the upcoming November election.
ii) Treasurer Greener noted that year to date interest earnlngs totaled over S1.1 million. The
Treasurer's office is working through applying the specials charges to the upcoming tax drive.
iii) Building and Grounds supervisor Pete Hernandez discussed that they are planning to work with
Ramsey Heating and Electric to salvage approximately five Mitsubishi HVAC units prior to the
demolition of the Public Defender's office building.
iv) Coroner Rinehart stated that the number of cases for the year was tracking ahead of the prior years.
v) Sheriff Thompson noted that they were fully staffed and had two deputies scheduled to attend POST
beginning in September. He noted that there were 2,548 calls for service in July, which resulted in
cAsStA couNw coMMrssroN
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, August 25, 2025
4lPage
82 arrests. He noted that the jail currently had 164 inmates, with 48 from Cassia and 44 from
Minidoka, one Lincoln, 59 IDOC, nine for US Marshalls and three courtesy holds.
vi) Assessor Adams informed the Board that the City of Burley had planned hearings for a new urban
renewa I district in 2026.
vii) Building and Zoning Administrator McMurray noted that they had seen higher than normal building
permit filings.
viii) Prosecutor Larsen discussed that their office had disposed of 1,247 criminal charges which included
juvenile, adult misdemeanors as well as felonies. He noted that number did not include infractions.
20) 11:40 AM Deliberate regarding discontinuance of county lT Committee
a) lT Director Pigford noted the group had not met recently and that department heads now reported
directly to the Board.
b) Assistant to the Board McMurray offered to draft a resolution to dissolve the committee formally.
2Ll 1t:42 AM Consider cancellation of property taxes on MH10528E068382 and MH10528E06838A for Burley
Highway District - Treasurer Greener
a) Treasurer Greener requested cancellation of property taxes on two mobile homes purchased by the
Burley Highway District.
b) The mobile homes were tax-exempt but had been mistakenly assessed.
1L:48 AM Motion and Action: Approve cancellation of taxes of 5329.78 for 2024 and estimated S329.78 for
2025 on MH105288068382, which is on a 1975 VanDyke 30' X 60'mobile home located at 321 N. Yale Rd.,
American Falls, 1D,83211 as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member
Motion passed una n imously.
11:50 AM Motion and Action: Approve cancellation of taxes on MH10S28E06838A, which is a mobile home
located at 319 N. Yale Rd., American Falls, lD, 83211, in the amount for 2024 of $237.68 and the estimated taxes
fo( 2025 of $234.38 as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member.
Motion passed u nanimously.
22]. 7l:52 AM Reports of the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
a) 11:52 AM BtM
i) BLM Field Manager John Elliott reported no major fires since the Summit Fire and praised the strong
local and Forest Service response.
ii) He noted the geothermal lease EnvironmentalAssessment (EA) period was open for public
comment unIil 3/29/2025. Lease sales were expected to conclude by the end of December.
iii) Elliott thanked the county for the increased weed spraying and noted that the BLM was improving
its own efforts using UTVS.
b) 11:59 AM USFS
i) USFS representative Chad Camp praised the County for its support and the effective collaboration
on spraying efforts.
ii) A drought notice was issued to grazing permittees.
iii) Seedling efforts were delayed due to fire damage at Lucky Peak Nursery.
iv) Fifteen abandoned campfires were found in Sublett, prompting plans to revise stage one fire
restriction language. Fire response remained strong with staff actively deployed.
cAssrA couNTY coMMrsStoN
REGULAR SESSION
Monday. August 25, 2025
5lPage
UNFINISHED BUSINESS ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
23) 12:1,0 PM Proposed County building discussion
a) Determination of architectural, engineering, construction management, and other related matters in
advancing the building process
i) Two items remained outstanding: mechanical specifications from erstad Architects and an updated
civil plan from Brandon Landrum.
ii) The bid schedule was adjusted, with pre-bid tentatively scheduled for 8/2812025 and bids due by
911,612025. The Board recommended moving the groundbreaking to 912212025 to allow time for bid
review.
iii) Judge Blaine Cannon reviewed the parking layout and supported the design, requesting no public
drive-through and sufficient space for transport vans.
241 1.2:18 PM Employee appreciation picnic follow-up
a) The Board discussed catering arrangements for the picnic on 911212025 at Salmon Park, scheduled from
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
b) The menu was determined with the selections to be provided to the caterer.
c) The Board agreed to explore rental options for bounce houses, and noted that a grill had been
purchased as a door prize.
25l' L2:54 PM Adjourn
12:54 PM Motion and Action: Adjourn, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member.
Motion passed unanimously.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, August 25,2025
6lPage
APPROVED:
Leona rd M. Beck, Chair
DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD
4Z-
Sharene Ahlin
cAsstA couNry coMMtsstoN
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, August 25, 2025
TlPage
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Cassia County Commissioner Meeting
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0812212025 09:02:29 FN502WBS STEPHANIE HITT
CASSIA COUNTY
PAGE I OF I
BOTH UNPAID CLAIMS & DEMANDS GENERALGOVERNMENT FUNDS
* UNAPPROVED DEMANDS APPEAR IN ACTUALS AND ALSO AS AN INVOICE .
Fund
GENERAL FUND (CURRENT EXPENSE)
DISTRICT COURT
JUSTICE FUND
WATERWAYS
PHYSICAL FACILITIES
EIVIPLOYEE BENEFITS FUND
89% OF FISCAL YEAR ELAPSED
Budget
Actual
Demand/Claims
Amt
_ Budget
j/o Budget
Remai-ning Remaining
0001
0006
0008
0025
0029
0048
4,674,940.00
370,33s.00
14,689,453.00
84,000.00
12,423,860.00
3,894,840.00
3,844,153.16
309,900.46
12,064,746.67
5,698.38
464,367.62
3,095,053.17
285.93
606.24
19,070.99
885.00
53,037.20
83,748.93
830,786.84
60,434.54
2,624,706.33
78,301.62
11 ,959,492.38
799,786.83
18%
16%
18o/o
93o/o
96%
21%
Total Amount Paid
157,634.29
STATE OF IDAHO
CASSIA COUNTY
WE, THE CASSIA COUNTY COMIVIISSIONERS, BEING DULY SWORN DO HEREBY CERTIFYAND DECLARE THAT
WE HAVE REVIEWED THE DEMANDS ENUMERATED AND REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING REGISTER, AND THAT THE SAME ARE
TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE ACCURATE AND ARE JUST CLAIMS AGAINST THE COUNTY, AND THAT THERE ARE FUNDS
AVATLABLE FoR pAyMENr THERE.F tN rHE COUNTT'*=ffIl.\oa ._rrr(.\F1
AppRovED FoR DtsrRtBU,oNAS oF
0 4XI) _ ,J\*iD
CONIIMISSIONER
COMMISSIONER
IONER
<L+E[aoM
tfrt7flf
Me
* WARNING: This fund is over budget
ts OcpofyOcrf, B Oerf of $re Board
S.:...U'h{M,,A.&,.Y.' 'C':'L A I MS ,. 'A:,P P R0,Y &,L RA P,ORT
INCLUDING BUDGET BALANCES
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