Jerome County | minutes | meeting 2025-10-06 | Commissioners Meeting source: https://www.jeromecountyid.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10062025-1561 Monday, October 6, 2025 Page 1 of 9 JEROME COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Monday, October 6, 2025 PRESENT: Ben Crouch, Chairman Charles Howell, Vice Chairman Art Watkins, Commissioner Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk Meeting convened at 9:00 am. Commissioner Reports Commissioner Watkins – Commissioner Watkins stated that he attended the rotary meeting. There was a presentation on Martha and Mary’s Pantry. Then he attended DUI graduation. Commissioner Howell – Commissioner Howell stated that he responded to several emails from constituents. Commissioner Crouch – Commissioner Crouch stated that he attended the rotary meeting. The presentation on Martha and Mary’s Pantry was good. He attended the DUI graduation. Then he attended the Bill Colley interview for the radio. He discussed the weapon ban at the Jerome Administration Offices. Later he attended the interviews for the magistrate judge position. Extension Office Monthly Report Steve Hines was present. Steve gave a presentation on the extension office. He stated that he has continued to work on planting demonstrations. He attended several meetings over the previous month. The extension office worked to review grant applications. There were also several courses on canning during the last month. They also held several events with children in the area. He stated that they have ordered the new pickup and wanting to know what to do with the old pickup. He also asked about how comp time will work for him. The Board wanted to discuss with Steve about what process can be created to have the Board, the fair board, and 4H be on the same page with their processes. GIS Monthly Report Mark Reyes, Cy Lootens, and Jesse Vallez were present. Mark gave a presentation on the GIS department. He created a public lands map. He has continued to work on subdivision maps. The city data has been fully updated, and this will now just be a maintenance process going forward. He also worked to spread the gravel for the Snake River Canyon Parks. He met with a company regarding the logo that they want to put on the container for storing the tractor. There will be a conference in Boise later this year. He is requesting the ability to attend the conference. Workers Comp Policy Jesse Vallez and Cy Lootens were present. Monday, October 6, 2025 Page 2 of 9 Jesse stated that she has been working with Cy regarding the current workers comp policy. This is in case someone needs to miss for surgery or recovery from an injury. If someone misses work currently the policy is not very clear about how the time is covered that they miss. The payments that are sent if someone misses time due to these conditions are only at 66 percent of the employees wages. This can lead to issues financially for the employees if they are not receiving their full wages. She has a proposal that if the county has to pay out the employees that are out for workers comp, that the employee would receive their full salary. Martha and Mary’s Pantry Jeff Schroeder, Sam Verret, Cy Lootens, and Lorien Nettleton were present. The Board went over the results of the survey regarding Martha and Mary’s Pantry and the potential location at the Jerome County fairgrounds. The Board felt that the question that best covers the survey is regarding the location of the pantry. The Board wanted to have the fair board weigh in as the result of this survey question was so close, this way the fair board can weigh in on the proposed location of the pantry. Commissioner Crouch moved to accept the survey report and have it forwarded to the fair board, and to have the fair board have an official vote be made on how to go forward. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. To see an image of the survey results please see pages 6-8 of the minutes. IT Purchases Matthew McGregor and Eli Bair were present. Matthew stated that they attended the conference during the previous week. There was a presentation given by a company that deals with breaches. There was a discussion about the Computer Arts situation and what other areas are switching to for those types of software. Matthew stated that he received a quote for a software service that IT uses. There was a quote that they received for a new IT management software. He stated that this new software will be a large step up from the current software IT has. The current software will crash randomly and has to be opened several times a day. The new software would allow for more features that they can use in house. During the recent training they attended they spoke with another county who switched to this new software. The other counties’ IT stated they were really happy with it. Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the expenditure of $9,600.00 for NinjaOne for cyber security and IT management software. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. Meeting recessed at 12:03 pm. Monday, October 6, 2025 Page 3 of 9 Department Heads Luncheon Cy Lootens, Matthew McGregor, Mario Umana, Kacie Buhler, Nina Lagle, Windy Jay, Eli Bair, Tevian Kober, Mark Swenson, George Oppedyk, Mark Reyes, Andrea Gonzalez, Marisela Aguirre, Troy Tolman, Tracy Perkins, Tanzy McCool, Dan Chatterton, Kirsten Hartley, Jesse Vallez, and Lyle Johnstone were present. The Board welcomed everyone to the luncheon. They invited everyone to attend the meeting at 1:15 going over building security. The Board stated they would not go over that heavily today, but would be going into things further in that meeting. The Board reminded everyone to make sure that their wage change forms are submitted. The Board wanted to have a discussion about how access to the Administration Offices Building should work for employees to gain access after hours or on the weekends. The Board asked about why employees currently need access past hours and on weekends. It was stated that employees need this access for emergencies, as needed to fulfill certain responsibilities, to gain access to county vehicles and resources, and for elections. The Board then asked about potential processes for employees to be approved for this type of access. One idea was to have department heads approve access when needed for their employees and for the Commissioner to also approve it. There was another idea brought forward of an additional access badge for after hour/weekend access. The Board stated that they would prefer to not have an extra card available, but instead to have a department head approve access. IT stated that this could be done easily and have access approved as needed for different county employees. The Board stated that they would also like to go over some of the ideas that were previously discussed regarding upgrading cameras and other items to help with the security of the building. IT stated that they would be looking to add cameras that would add more coverage to the building. This way they can also have a better way of tracking individuals in the building for increase liability reasons. The Board also brought up the idea of having employees park out front of the building if other doors are closed to the public. There was an idea brought forward to have county owned vehicles be parked out front if the only access door is in back. This way there could also be a camera on them at all times, and add further parking spaces for customers. The Board also stated that they will be looking into the Christmas party in the upcoming months. Meeting reconvened at 1:15 pm. Legal Counsel/Revisiting Administration Offices Building Security Mike Seib, Cathy Roemer, Julie Arroyo, Lyle Johnstone, Kristen Hartley, Tracy Perkins, Dan Chatterton, Matthew McGregor, Eli Bair, Cy Lootens, George Oppedyk, Marisela Aguirre, Andrea Gonzalez, Mark Swenson, Nina Lagle, Tevian Kober, Windy Jay, Mark Reyes, and Troy Tolman were present. Monday, October 6, 2025 Page 4 of 9 The Board wanted to review the decision regarding a weapons ban. The Board thought they had a legal basis for the decision that they made and wanted to review this with Mike to see if there is a legal reason. Mike stated that the decision started as a decision about what areas would be open and closed. He stated that the decision went further than he thought initially to weapons. The Board stated that they had thought that legal counsel had told them that this would be allowed. The Board stated that they have no issue with fixing their mistakes and working to still find a way to secure the building in another way. The Board also wanted to apologize as they felt that this was going to be a decision they could legally make. They feel that they may need to rescind the vote that made the weapons ban. Mike stated that he wanted to have the vote wait specifically for the weapons ban. The Board did not remember that being something that was stated before. Commissioner Crouch moved to repeal the ban on weapons that they made for the Administration Offices Building, and to review other ways that they can protect their employees and the public. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. The Board wanted to review some other topics regarding security of the Administration Offices Building. One of which is after hours access to the building. There was a discussion about how to limit access to the building after hours or on the weekends. It was brought to them to have a way to have department heads approve the access of employees to the building if needed. Another item was regarding parking and having county vehicles and employees vehicles parked in another area to make it easier for customers to come into the building. Commissioner Crouch moved to go into executive session per Idaho Code 74- 206(1)(d). Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote. Executive session began at 1:31 pm and ended at 2:13 pm. Sign and Approve Claims Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the claims as presented by staff. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. To see an image of the report please see page 9 of the minutes. Indigent Matters Commissioner Howell moved to approve the indigent claims as presented by staff. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. Monday, October 6, 2025 Page 5 of 9 Read and Approve Minutes Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the minutes for 9/29. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. ________________________ ______________________________ Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk A. Ben Crouch, Chairman ______________________________ Charles M. Howell, Commissioner ______________________________ Art Watkins, Commissioner The following report summarizes the results of a recent community survey regarding Martha and Mary’s Pantry and its potential relocation to the county fairgrounds. The purpose of the survey was to better understand public awareness of the Pantry, gauge the level of community support for food bank services, and gather feedback on the county’s possible role in supporting the Pantry’s operations and relocation efforts. 1. Awareness Before this survey, were you aware of Martha and Mary’s Pantry and its work in our community? Yes: 500 (89.3%) No: 60 (10.7%) Avcareress $05 newport 2. Community Support Do you believe it’s important for the county to support local food banks like Martha and Mary’s Pantry? Strongly Agree: 370 (66.1%) Agree: 107 (19.1%) Neutral: 53 (9.5%) Disagree: 15 (2.7%) Strongly Disagree: 15 (2.7%) Community Support: 560 responses Monday, October 6, 2025 Page 6 of 9 3. Proposed Relocation Do you think relocating Martha and Mary’s Pantry to the northeast corner of the fairgrounds is a good idea? Yes: 251 (44.8%) No: 247 (44.1%) Not sure: 62 (11.1%) Proposed Relocation: Sf) responses, Stes ®t © Not se 4. County Role Should the county help Martha and Mary’s Pantry by offering a discounted land lease at the fairgrounds? Yes: 269 (48.0%) No: 195 (34.8%) Only if it does not affect the county budget: 68 (12.1%) Not sure: 28 (5.0%) County Role: 340 reaportee ‘8 ve Sim © Qnty tt dows not attect the county budget 1 Not sure Monday, October 6, 2025 Page 7 of 9 5. Fairgrounds Use Do you believe the fairgrounds are an appropriate location for a food bank facility? No: 257 (45.9%) Yes: 250 (44.6%) Not sure: 53 (9.5%) Fairgrounds Use: iS es @ho 6. Residency Do you live in [County Name]? Yes: 498 (88.9%) No: 62 (11.1%) Residency: ‘S60 responses @ ves @No Monday, October 6, 2025 Page 8 of 9 BUDGET TOTALS DEPARTMENT LERK REASURER 4)/HUMAN RESOURCES PAYROLL ACCT PAY GRAND TOTAL 90.94 5|COMMISSIONERS 6|CORONER 10 11 13)/EXTENSION AGENT CORONER i BUILDING & GROUNDS MAINT. $ 603.32 $ 90.94 $ ee eee 900.00 $ 400.00 ; 900.00 400.00 603.32 $ $ $ EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT $ 440.83 | $ 440.83 14|/DATA PROCESSING 15|ELECTIONS ee ee $ 82.940.11[$ 82,940.11 $ z 3 ‘a $ 1,527.31 | $ 1,527.31 ee ee $ 5|SHERIFF-DETENTION 6 7 ADULT PROBATION PROSECUTOR 3 9 PUBLIC DEFENDERS JUVENILE PROBATION 867.50 | $ 867.50 18|}GENERAL JUSTICE Sub Total (Justice Fund) $ $ 867.50 | $ 867.50 DISTRICT COURT FAIR 932.8 932.80 $ E 3 7 275.00 | $ 275.00 AMBULANCE WATERWAYS BOARD 38|WATERWAYS SHERIFF $ 3 be $ _187,077.50|$ 187,077.50 ee ee 41|BOND REDEMPTION 48/AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN $ $ Sub Total GRAND TOTAL $ : $ 188,285.30 | $ 188,285.30 $ - $ 276,055.31 |$ 276,055.31