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minutes meeting date 2026-05-18 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 8093 characters · official file · plain text
REGULAR SESSION, MAY 18, 2026
Commissioner Bolduc opened the meeting at 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Buhler, Commissioner Eames, Prosecutor Misseldine,
Chad Hoeft, Hollye Haney, Brylee Drury, Whitney Beaver, Mike Elliot, and the Deputy Clerk, Sara Berling were present.
CAROL JOHNSON- ANNUAL JUVENILE JUSTICE/ SNAKE RIVER JUVENILE DETENTION CHANGES
Carol Johnson and Jeff Miller spoke to the commission on the annual report for Juvenile justice for October 2024 through
September 2025. There was also a brief discussion regarding the Twin falls juvenile detention contracts presented on May 11,
2026. The information provided was for the board to consider.
MINUTES
Commissioner Eames moved to approve May 11, 2026, minutes with corrections. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
TAX DEED HEARING
Commissioner Buhler moved to go into the tax deed hearing at 10:30 Elected Treasurer Christina Wines spoke about the next
steps for the collection of delinquency on real, personal, and operating property. The Board recessed the Tax Deed hearing at
10:35 a.m. Commissioner Eames moved to approve the issue tax lean. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
BROADBAND
The commission verified times of the Wendell city meeting and who would attend the meeting.
COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS
There were no correspondences to report on.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Commissioner Bolduc Reported that he shared Sircomm financials with the commission.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – PURSUANT TO IC §31-874 INDIGENT MATTERS
Commissioner Buhler moved to go into executive session pursuant IC§31-874 Indigent matters. Commissioner Eames
seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Buhler-Yes, Bolduc-Yes Eames- Yes. The Board recessed the executive session at
10:40a.m. Commissioner Eames moved to deny case number 26-5-5057. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
ETS MANAGEMENT FEE
Commissioner Bolduc, Commissioner Buhler and Commissioner Eames discussed ETS contract. Motion made by
Commissioner Eames to approve the signing of the contract for $91,440 for year one, $93,921 for year 2 and $96,551 for year
three. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Buhler. Motion carried.
LARRY BYBEE- PROPERTY ACQUISITION FOR RIVER WALL
Larry Bybee presented an update to the river wall project that is ongoing. Mr. Bybee wished to inform the commission of the
anticipated next steps to further the project which would include issuing an easement from the county for land to help further
the project. The commission made a request to have the proposed land be marked out for them to see.
KARL SOUZA- DISCUSS SHERIFF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE & FUNDING
Karl Souza wanted to discuss where funds needed to be taken out to start the sheriff’s vehicle maintenance. It was decided by
the commission that funding the approved $20,000 would be taken out of the budgeted amount to replace motors for two
Sheriff’s pickups within the maintenance line.
ETS- STATUS OF BROADBAND PROJECT
Chad Larson, Jacob Johnson and Scott Linsley from ETS presented to the commission an update on where the Broadband
project is at. They reported that over all the project is on schedule, and they should be able to start connecting customers to the
wireless network soon. ETS will be pushing for customer sign-ups at as many county events as possible. They also showed the
new landing page for customers interested in the new internet provided though openaccessidaho.com and went over the sign-
up processes. The biggest challenge for the Broadband project is the concern with a tower that is projected to go into Wendell.
COUNTY CLERK VACANCY HEARING
Commissioner Eames moved to adapt Resolution No. 2026-05-18 A resolution of the board of county commissioners of
Gooding County, Idaho, Declaring the office of county clerk vacant pursuant to Idaho code §31-2013 and Idaho code §59-
901(d). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Buhler. Resolution adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-05-18
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF GOODING COUNTY, IDAHO, DECLARING
THE OFFICE OF COUNTY CLERK VACANT PURSUANT TO IDAHO CODE§ 31-2013 AND IDAHO CODE§ 59-901(d)
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Gooding County, Idaho (the "Board"), is authorized by law to
address vacancies in county elective offices; and
WHEREAS, Idaho Code § 59-901 provides that an elective civil office may become vacant upon the happening of
certain events, including abandonment, prolonged incapacity, prolonged absence, or other statutory grounds; and
WHEREAS, Idaho Code§ 31-2013 provides that no county officer may be absent from the state for more than twenty
(20) days unless with the consent of the Board; and
WHEREAS, Idaho Code§ 31-802 provides the Board with the authority to supervise the faithful performance of the
duties of all county officers.
WHEREAS, the duly elected County Clerk, Denise Gill (the "County Clerk") has not reported to work since February
12, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Board understands that the County Clerk is presently residing in Texas and is receiving medical
treatment for a medical condition; and
WHEREAS, the Board finds and determines, based upon the record before it, that the County Clerk, has been absent
from the State of Idaho for a period of twenty (20) consecutive days and has failed to report for or perform the duties
of the office for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days; and
WHEREAS, the Board has sent letters by certified mail to the County Clerk at her Texas address concerning her
continued absence, the status of the office, and her opportunity to be heard at a hearing held May 18, 2026; and
WHEREAS, based on the present record, the Board finds that the County Clerk has been absent from the performance of
the duties of office for a substantial period of time, and that the County must take appropriate steps to protect the
continuity of county government and to determine whether a vacancy or other statutory basis for an appointment exists;
and
WHEREAS, the Board has received no response from the County Clerk, nor a request to continue the inquiry; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to declare the office of county clerk vacant/open and to proceed in accordance with
Idaho law for the filling of the vacancy;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Gooding-County, Idaho, as follows:
1. The Board hereby finds that the office of County Clerk is vacant/open as of May 18, 2026, based on the facts and
statutory authority stated above.
2. The Board directs all appropriate county officials to take all steps necessary to document this
vacancy/openingand to transmit notice to the proper appointing authority or authorities as required by Idaho
law.
3. The Board further directs that any appointment, temporary service, notice, or other action taken to fill or administer
the office shall be in full compliance with applicable provisions of Idaho Code, including Idaho Code§§ 31-2013, 59-901,
and any other governing vacancy-filling statutes.
4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
ADOPTED this 18th day of May 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/Sara Berling
Sara Berling, Deputy Clerk
PUBLIC COMMENT
Hollie Haney commented to the commission that Larry Bybee had successfully marked out the proposed land for the river wall
for them to see.
Commissioner Bolduc adjourned the meeting at 12:35 p.m.
/s/Mark E. Bolduc ________________ /s/Vern Eames____________ /s/Ron Buhler______________
Mark E. Bolduc, Chairman Vern Eames, Commissioner Ronald Buhler, Commissioner
Attest: /s/Sara Berling
Sara Berling, Deputy Clerk
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