Cassia County | minutes | meeting 2025-08-25 | 2025_08_25 BOCC Recorded Minutes.pdf source: https://www.cassia.gov/media/Commissioners/Minutes/2025/2025_08_25%20BOCC%20Recorded%20Minutes.pdf 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. 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