Gooding County | minutes | meeting 2026-06-29 | Regular Session Board of Commissioners source: https://www.goodingcounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06292026-892 REGULAR SESSION, JUNE 29, 2026 Commissioner Bolduc opened the meeting at 10:03 a.m. Commissioner Buhler, Commissioner Eames, Prosecutor Misseldine, Mike Elliott, County Clerk Chad Hoeft and Chief Deputy Clerk Jackie Fuqua, were present. SADIE FISHER-DISTRICT COURT BUDGET DISCUSSION Trial Court Administrator Sadie Fisher and Judge Wildman presented their proposed FY2027 budget. They stated that most fund lines will stay the same except for a few that will need to be adjusted according to increases in costs and changes in the State’s budget. AMERICA 250 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-06-29 Commissioner Eames made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026-06-29 America 250, awarding an additional two days of paid time off for non-essential employees, and in lieu time for essential employees that are required to work on any of the referenced days. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion carried. Roll call vote: Bolduc-Yes, Buhler-Yes, Eames-Yes. The resolution was adopted. RESOLUTION NO. 2026-06-29 AMERICA 250 A RESOLUTION OF THE GOODING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DECLARING THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026, FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026, AND MONDAY, JULY 6, 2026, TO BE COUNTY HOLIDAY/ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE DAYS FOR GOODING COUNTY; PROVIDING FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES; AND PROVIDING FOR IN-LIEU TIME FOR ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES REQUIRED TO WORK WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Idaho has issued Executive Order 2026-26 in recognition of the American 250 celebration and the 250th anniversary of American independence; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Gooding County, Idaho, finds it appropriate to align county operations with the state’s observance of this historic celebration; and WHEREAS, the Board desires to provide county employees additional time off on Thursday, July 2, 2026, Friday, July 3, 2026, and Monday, July 6, 2026, while preserving essential County operations and public services; and WHEREAS, the Board finds that law enforcement, the courts, and other essential county functions must remain available to protect public safety and ensure the orderly administration of justice; and WHEREAS, elected officials are best positioned to determine whether the offices under their control are essential and must remain open during the above-referenced period; and WHEREAS, county employees who are essential and are required to work on any of the above-referenced days should be compensated in accordance with applicable county policy, including the granting of in-lieu time where authorized by county policy; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Gooding County, Idaho, as follows: 1. County Holiday/Administrative Leave Days. Gooding County hereby designates Thursday, July 2, 2026, and Monday, July 6, 2026, as county holiday/administrative leave days for all county employees, elected or otherwise, subject to the essential- services provisions of this Resolution. 2. Observed Independence Day Holiday. Friday, July 3, 2026, is the observed Independence Day holiday pursuant to Idaho law. 3. Elected Officials. Each elected county official shall determine whether the office under that official’s supervision is essential and must remain open during the above-referenced period, subject to the essential-services provisions of this Resolution. 4. Essential Services. Law enforcement, driver’s license, vehicle titles, recorders, court clerks, and commissioners’ meetings shall remain open and shall continue operations as required by law. 5. Departments Reporting to the Commissioners. Departments that report directly to the Board of County Commissioners shall work with the Gooding County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to determine whether they are essential and must remain open during the above-referenced period. 6. Essential Employees Required to Work. Employees determined to be essential and required to work on July 2, 3, or 6, 2026, shall be granted in-lieu time in accordance with Gooding County policy, applicable personnel rules, and any applicable employment agreements, provided that nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to require compensation inconsistent with law. 7. Continuation of Essential Services. Nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to interfere with the performance of essential governmental functions, emergency response, public safety, court operations, or other duties required by law. 8. Implementation. The Board authorizes county officers, department heads, and supervisors to implement this Resolution in a manner consistent with county operations and applicable law. DATED this 29th day of June 2026. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS GOODING COUNTY, IDAHO /s/Mark E. Bolduc_____________ Mark E. Bolduc, Commissioner /s/Vern Eames______________ Vern Eames, Commissioner /s/Ronald Buhler________________ Ronald Buhler, Commissioner Attest_/s/ Chad Hoeft______ Chad Hoeft, Clerk NEW ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE HEARING- VIVA MARKET Commissioner Eames made a motion to approve new alcoholic license #43 for Viva Market LLC. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion carried. BROADBAND/ETS UPDATES There was discussion about appointing Commissioner Buhler to be involved with the mediation between Gooding County and the City of Wendell. Commissioner Buhler was agreeable. Commissioner Eames made a motion to proceed with mediation with Wendell City and appoint Commissioner Buhler. Commissioner Bolduc seconded the motion. Motion carried. Commissioner Bolduc recessed the regular meeting and opened the Board of Equalization Hearing at 10:45 a.m. BOARD OF EQUALIZATION HEARING- RAVENSCROFT APPEAL Commissioner Bolduc swore in all who were to testify including, Assessor Balwin, Deputy Assessor Teresa Neal and Brian Ravenscroft. Others in attendance were Sheriff Gough, Treasurer Wines, Cynthia Sliman, Melody Bishop and Hannah Bay. Mr. Ravenscroft presented his reasons for appealing the tax valuation of his property, citing EPA hazards and lack of utilities on the property. Assessor Baldwin said the property was valued according to current values to comparables and a 40% discount was applied. Commissioner Buhler made a motion to agree with the Assessors valuation as is. Commissioner Eames seconded the motion. Motion carried. Assessor Baldwin presented two parcels for consideration. One was for a parcel with a dwelling that was valued as completed but the inside had not been completed yet, studs only, and the other is a category designation change. Commissioner Eames made a motion to approve change requests for RP06S15E113976 for land value of $105,010 down to $67,510 and improvement value of $129,570 down to $43,470, and RP07S13E136551/MH7S13E136551B to change the category designation. There is no change in value for this property. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion carried. Commissioner Bolduc adjourned the Board of Equalization Hearing and resumed the regular session at 11:15 a.m. TONYA JOLLEY- INTERLINK VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS BUDGET REQUEST Executive Director Tonya Jolley presented a request for continued support for FY2027. She said the county’s previous support of $3,000 for FY2026 was greatly appreciated and asks for that same consideration for this year’s budget. BRIAN LAMM- COUNTY LEASED LAND FOR GRAZING Brian Lamm grazes cattle on land he leases from the county. He recently has had a loss of cattle and dug holes in the road on the property to prevent thieves from gaining access. He states there are signs posted warning of danger and no trespassing. He did not get prior permission to do this and shared his regret and apologies. After discussion with the Board, Commissioner Eames made a motion to allow the current changes and that proper signage remains posted. Commissioner Buhler Seconded the motion. Motion carried. Trevor will write up an approval. PRICE & DAYLEY- FY2025 AUDIT/FY2026 ENGAGEMENT LETTER Price Dayley & Associates presented the FY2025 audit. There were no significant findings. FY2026 engagement letter signing was put on hold until next Monday’s meeting. TREASURER WINES- CASH RECONCILIATION & TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY Treasurer Wines presented the statement of Treasurers Cash showing it balances. Commissioners signed the Transfer of Responsibility certificate. SHERIFF GOUGH- DISCUSS WATERWAYS BUDGET Sheriff Gough says his waterways line is over budget, but he expects the funds to come in. He asked if he should suspend the program until the funds come in and Commissioner Bolduc said he should continue it as it is a valuable program, especially during this busy summertime. JUVENILE DETENTION CONTRACT There was discussion on possibly making a counteroffer to pay at a quarter of a bed instead of a full bed. Commissioner Bolduc tabled the decision pending the counteroffer. HARRIS-COMPUTER ARTS MASTER AGREEMENT The annual contract was discussed. Commissioner Eames made a motion to approve paying $77,117.70 for the annual contract. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion carried. SMILES GRANT UPDATE Commissioner Eames gave an update on the Smiles Grant awarded to the Fairgrounds building for two ceiling fans. The cost came under bid, so they were able to purchase an additional fan. Commissioner Bolduc signed the change form. CORRESPONDENCE There was no correspondence today. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comments today. MINUTES Commissioner Eames moved to approve June 22, 2026, minutes. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMITEE MEETING REPORTS Commissioner Buhler reported the landfill is up and running. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Buhler moved to go into executive session pursuant IC§74-206(b) personnel matters. Commissioner Eames seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Eames-Yes, Buhler-Yes, Bolduc-Yes. The Board recessed the executive session at 1:05 p.m. Commissioner Bolduc adjourned the meeting at 1:05 p.m. /s/Mark E. Bolduc ________________ /s/Vern Eames____________ /s/Ron Buhler______________ Mark E. Bolduc, Chairman Vern Eames, Commissioner Ronald Buhler, Commissioner Attest: /s/ Chad Hoeft_____________ Chad Hoeft, Clerk