Sentinel Media records · public agendas and minutes, text only, refreshed nightly from each body's own site · not a newspaper
minutes meeting date 2025-09-22 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 21772 characters · official file · plain text
Monday, September 22, 2025
Page 1 of 9
JEROME COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Monday, September 22, 2025
PRESENT: Ben Crouch, Chairman
Charles Howell, Vice Chairman
Art Watkins, Commissioner
Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk
Meeting convened at 9:06 am.
Commissioner Reports
Commissioner Watkins – Commissioner Watkins stated that he attended the ribbon cutting
ceremony for the renovated offices. He attended a reunion and met the president of the
University of Idaho during the reunion. He went to the going away luncheon for an employee.
Then he attended the Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) conference. During the conference he
attended the ICRMP celebration, the lands and national resource meeting, and a meeting on
public health in the state.
He attended the meeting for the South Central Community Action Partnership. They discussed
their finances during the meeting, and it was stated they were in a good financial situation. He
also attended the Mid Snake River meeting.
Commissioner Howell – Commissioner Howell stated that he attended the Mid Snake River
meeting. There were several conversations regarding weed spraying, finances, and the fire wise
garden. The Mid Snake River group attended three of the local fairs and received some good
feedback during the fairs. He attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovated offices.
Later he attended the IAC conference. He called in to the SIRCOMM meeting. Marty Luhr from
the airport called regarding a part that needed to be repaired for their card reader. He gave him
verbal approval to get the part fixed so they can have a card reader up and going.
Commissioner Crouch – Commissioner Crouch stated that he attended the ribbon cutting
ceremony for the newly renovated offices. He held the tax deed auction on September 10th. He
met with Amanda Worthington regarding the fair board meeting. Then he attended the LACP
meeting. There was an individual from the state who gave a presentation during the meeting. He
attended the going away luncheon for a county employee.
He also attended the IAC conference. During the conference he helped lead one of the
discussions. Later he did a short interview with the news regarding Martha and Marys Pantry.
Employee Wage Changes/Evaluations Discussion
The Board went over the wage change forms and the evaluations for the employees that they
oversee.
Monday, September 22, 2025
Page 2 of 9
Commissioner Crouch moved to go into executive session per Idaho Code 74-
206(1)(b). Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed with a
unanimous roll call vote.
Executive session began at 9:40 am and ended at 9:56 am.
Jerome Administration Offices Building Security Discussion
Cy Lootens and Mark Swenson were present.
Cy stated that he talked to the supreme court regarding the idea of having a room designated as
an emergency court room. He found out that this can’t be done unless court is held there each
day. There is a section of Idaho Code that he brought regarding the role of the Commissioners.
The sections stated that the Commissioners would have the authority to oversee the property
owned by the county and to maintain it to how they see fit.
Mark Swenson asked to have a comment entered on the record in opposition to the security
plans.
“It is both ironic and tragic that as I write this, Charlie Kirk was just assassinated. So, my
opposition to the upcoming security measures proposed for our building may seem ill-timed, but
my objections are based on my principles, not on current events.
Based on our last meeting, Tuesday, Sept 2nd, this is my understanding of the measures that will
be put in place:
There will be only one entrance open to the building.
All people entering the building, both the public and the employees, will be required to use this
entrance and pass through the metal detectors.
Guns and knives will be effectively banned from the building with very few exceptions.
People with pocketknives will be told to return them to their cars.
This security will be in place any time the building is open.
Employees needing to access the building before or after hours will have to make prior
arrangements or will be barred from entry.
Justification for these measures is based on future, occasional, use of this building for some court
functions.
I oppose these extreme measures based on three principles:
Monday, September 22, 2025
Page 3 of 9
FIRST – IT SHOWS A GREAT DISTRUST OF OUR CITIZENS, CUSTOMERS,
TAXPAYERS AND OUR ULTIMATE BOSSES. Jerome County is full of law-abiding citizens
who take their 2nd amendment rights very seriously and who never do anything as evil as murder.
It is unwise to legislate based on isolated incidents or to paint people with such a broad brush.
Sure, we sometimes have upset or contentious people, but those are relatively isolated incidences
that are handled as needed. Our citizens will be justifiably upset at being treated with such
distrust, especially when everyone will be subject to search of their personal items if they set off
the metal detectors. They will be unhappy to be told to return pocketknives, multitools or even
pepper spray back to their cars and to be totally disarmed. No one I know enjoys going through
airport security, and this is what it’s going to feel like.
SECOND – IT SHOWS A GREAT DISTRUST OF OUR EMPLOYEES. We trust our
employees with the functions, finances and assets of the county, but now they will be subject to
search and total disarmament. Originally the employees were going to be able to card-in at other
employee-only entrances, but that seems to be reversed now. My employees mostly work a
regular, business hours schedule, but there are many times they may need to come to the building
before or after hours or on weekends. This could become a logistical nightmare.
THIRD – WE ARE FALLING FOR THE LIBERAL FALLACY THAT DISARMAMENT
EQUALS SAFETY. Gun free zones are an invitation, not a deterrent, to someone who has evil
and violent intentions. They will not be stopped by signs, metal detectors and perhaps not even
by armed deputies. Do not leave the rest of us defenseless. When evil does walk through the
door, I would rather be standing amongst dozens of armed citizens than a group of sitting ducks.
What are my suggestions? Go ahead and open a security office and have deputies stationed in the
building. Put in the metal detectors and x-ray machines but only use them when we know there
may be a contentious meeting, a credible threat or an actual court function going on in the
building. Let employees card-in at other entrances. Keep the northwest entrance facing Lincoln
(the traditional main entrance) open during the day.
I think we should sometime have a conversation about letting employees, who are end conealed
carry permit holders, be armed if they choose.
But let’s not distrust the good citizens and employees of this county. Thank you for your time
and attention.
Mark Swenson
Jerome County Assessor”
Cy stated that they can continue the conversation in the future and to go over more logistics with
the Sherriff. He wants to see the security enacted into the building to prevent any issues. The
Board agreed that they would like to see this enacted into the building. The Board asked Cy if
there are many complaints regarding the security process at the Annex. Cy stated that there are
not any complaints from individuals who have had to go into the Annex and go through their
security measures.
Monday, September 22, 2025
Page 4 of 9
Commissioner Crouch moved to continue the employee evaluations on
Wednesday at 9 am. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed
with a unanimous vote.
True West Beef Application for 602NN Tax Exemption
Mark Swenson, Lyle Johnstone, Jay Theiler, Matt Dauzan, Chris Nime, and Nik Harkias were
present.
Jay wanted to thank the Board for the previous support to their company. They are competing in
their industry against some of the larger corporations. He will turn over to Matt Dauzan at the
end of their presentation to go over some more plans that they want to add into their business.
They are looking to add a large cooler section to their building. This will allow them to add a
larger cool time for their products and increase food safety. It is scheduled to be finished by the
first quarter of 2026.
Chris stated that in the application that they have included the estimated cost of the total project.
He stated that they are also above their estimated amount of employees as their facility as well as
the head processed per day.
Matt stated that there would be 10,000 square feet added with this new addition. He says that
with this addition that it will allow them to increase their output as well as continuing to maintain
the current quality that they see with their product.
Nick stated that they are looking to expand the business even further in the future. They are
looking to improve wastewater and culverts at their property.
Mark stated that the 602 NN is a short-term tax exemption for new additions to a current
property. The tax exemption could be started as of January 1, 2027. It usually follows a stair step
approach of having it go down little by little until it reaches the time that they are taxed for the
full amount of the property. The Board wanted to confirm that this will not affect their current
taxes. Mark stated that this would not affect the current taxes, but the taxes on the new addition.
The Board stated that they appreciate the things that True West Beef does for the community.
The Board also discussed their feelings of what to do regarding the tax exemption and how the
exemption percentages would go.
Commissioner Howell moved to approve starting in 2027 with 100%, 80%, 70%,
60%, and 50% for the tax exemption on the new addition for True West Beef.
Seconded by Commissioner Crouch. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Discussion: The company will also be increasing their employment at the facility
due to the expansion.
Preliminary Plat Review for 93 Golf Ranch Subdivision No 1
Monday, September 22, 2025
Page 5 of 9
Kacie Buhler, Matt, Ryan Christensen, Bill Yager, Valerie Collins, Arnold Peterson, and Mark
Barnes were present.
Matt stated that the new subdivision will be just off of golf course road. Parts of the golf course
are not used for anything currently, so they are looking to add single family housing. The total
area is about 20.3 acres. There will be a total of 19 lots in the subdivision. One of the biggest
things to solve before the final plat will be how water will work for the subdivision.
Kacie stated that Matt covered the majority of the application. The hardest part of putting
together the subdivision has been access to the lots themselves. Six of the lots would share
access to follow the rulings from the highway district.
The Board stated that they would like to see the CCNR’s include the requirement to maintain
that road.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the 93 Golf Course Subdivision No 1
with those conditions. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed
with a unanimous vote.
Meeting recessed at 11:28 am.
Meeting reconvened at 1:00 pm.
Idaho Transportation Department Third Bridge Project Update
Jessa Summers, Mark Swenson, Cy Lootens, Angie Huering, Courtney Wagner, Claire
Woodman, Ralph Kincheloe, and Connie Kincheloe were present.
The members of the Idaho Transportation Department have come to give an update to the Board
especially after the open meetings with the public. There was a feasibility study done in 2022.
All of the meetings were well attended both in person and virtually. The next step is to look into
the environmental factor of the project. This process with the federal highways will take two
years. Jessie stated that they are hoping to beat that mark and have the process done sooner, but
they are going to make sure to follow everything needed during this process.
The Board wanted to ask about how the roads go after the bridge connects to the side in Jerome.
They want to try and have the roads not go through peoples’ farms and try and have them
connect to current roads. Jessie stated that the proposed roads are not definite yet, and they are
still discussing where to have those roads connect.
The Board also asked about the price difference if the bridge ended up being a longer bridge.
Jessie stated he did not have the exact numbers. The bridge would take longer to build and be
more expensive if the bridge was built at a longer location. He stated that they also want to go
Monday, September 22, 2025
Page 6 of 9
with a shorter option as not to have to start doing work on the ground of the canyon to hold the
bridge in its place.
The Board wanted to make sure that the new bridge is not just a solution for Twin Falls County.
They want this to be a solution that benefits both counties and can help resolve traffic issues for
both sides. Jessie stated that this is a concern for them too, and that they want this to be a
solution for everyone involved. He also said the process of the environmental study will include
people who would be affected depending on where the bridge would go.
Energy Ordinance Discussion
Kacie Buhler, Mike Seib, Ryan Christensen, Lyle Johnstone, Jacob Miller, Leon Letson, Mark
Barnes, and Aaron Menenberg were present.
The Board stated that they have convened to discuss the energy ordinance. The Board asked staff
if the planning and zoning commission has discussed the ordinance. Kacie stated that they have
brought this forward to them, but that they have not started the process of drafting an official
ordinance. Kacie would like some clarification on how the Board wants the energy ordinance to
work. The Board stated that they would like to know what the current ordinance states and be
able to go from there.
Kacie stated that the current ordinance states that there can be solar or wind farms but doesn’t
limit where they can be placed. Mike stated that the ordinance could be worded to allow certain
areas for these types of facilities. If they are designated to hold these facilities then the comp plan
would need to be updated to match the new rules.
Kacie asked the Board for direction on where to start with the process of writing the ordinance.
This way she and other members of her department can start to work on creating the ordinance to
match the ideas of the Board. The Board stated that they would like to review the ordinances
from other counties and find a way to create an ordinance that would allow for different energy
uses, but that they would be confined to certain areas and have to meet certain criteria before
being built. Kacie stated that they could also go through the hazards of each energy production
type and then be able to work to find the areas that these could be placed in the county. The
Board stated that would be a good idea and to reconvene later to continue the discussion on the
hazards of each type of energy production.
Legal Counsel/Ambulance Lease Agreement
Mike Seib, Kacie Buhler, Ryan Christensen, Cy Lootens, Mark Barnes, and Lyle Johnstone were
present.
Monday, September 22, 2025
Page 7 of 9
The Board wanted to go over the procedural process for the hearing tonight. Kacie stated that she
provided a paper that has a basic hearing process documented on it. Mike stated that he would
suggest following the outline and keeping everyone who testifies to their specific times.
The Board wanted to go over the ambulance lease agreement. Mike stated that Shayne Nope had
reviewed the previous agreement. He stated that they can get a new agreement created that would
update the length of the agreement and include an increase in the rent as the previous agreement
had.
The Board wanted to go over some of the topics for Martha and Marys Pantry and the contract
that was sent back to legal counsel. Mike stated that there are some issues with the contract that
was sent over. He would like to see some of those items changed and to have it follow a more
common lease agreement.
Jerome Administration Offices Building Security Presentation/Tax Cancelation
Mark Swenson and Cy Lootens were present.
Mark stated that he has a tax cancelation for the Board. The property in question requested a
homeowner’s exemption that would not end. For some reason the exemption rolled off and did
not have the taxes removed that should have been under the exemption. The amount that should
have been rolled off totals $1,737.20.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the notice of cancelation due to the
software issue regarding the homeowner’s exemption in 2024, in the total amount
of $1,737.20, for parcel number RPJ14770030010. Seconded by Commissioner
Howell. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
New Jerome 20/20 Director Introduction
Camille Barigar, Cy Lootens, and Mark Swenson were present.
Camille stated that she is the new executive director of the Jerome 20/20. She has been working
for three weeks now in her position. She has been in the valley for a long time. She is a fifth
generation Idahoan. She has a long history in her family of being involved in the state and in the
area. She is a lifelong Magic Valley resident. She received her associates from CSI, her
bachelors from BSU, and her master’s degree from ISU. She worked for Blue Cross of Idaho for
the last two and a half years. She has a real passion for economic development and looks forward
to working in this position.
She has been working over the last few weeks of getting things updated. She has worked on
updating the website, her name tag, and her business cards. She feels that a large part of her job
is marketing Jerome to the businesses. She has been hearing that Jerome is on the move, and that
it is a very exciting to be a part of the economic development of the community. Since she feels
like she is marketing Jerome she has been doing her homework by meeting community
members, community business individuals, and attending luncheons in the area to get to know
Monday, September 22, 2025
Page 8 of 9
people. She has also worked to create a larger online footprint to help create a larger influence to
draw companies into the area.
The website can be revamped to drive individuals and companies to streamline the process of
getting connected with developers in the area or available sites. She has also met with realtors
and developers in the area to get to know about areas that are developable. This way she can
have a strategy in place in advance to know how to help develop the area. She has also been
working with the state to help them know about the areas goals for development and to match the
states goals of development. She stated that in the future that she can give further updates on
actual projects that they are working on. She has been given some projects to continue and
follow through with.
Plotter Maintenance Renewal
Mark Reyes was present.
Mark stated that it is time for renewal of the plotter machine. The company that was doing the
maintenance was bought out. The new company is a little bit cheaper and will have the ink
included with the maintenance.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the expenditure for the plotter
maintenance renewal for $856.23. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The
motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP)
Bryan Craig and Cy Lootens were present.
Bryan stated that he has some renewal information for the county on their ICRMP policy. He
provided the Board and the County Clerk a copy of the most recent coverage plan. The Board
and Bryan discussed county vehicles and structures that may need to be on the plan to ensure that
everything will be covered under their policy.
Overlook Project, Archery, Rock Crawling Trail, & New RV Park and Horse Pins
Bill Bridges, Mark Barnes, and Jim Williams were present.
Bill stated that they will have the bids put out as of October 1st, and will have the bids opened on
October 21st. Then the Commissioners can decide on who to hire for the project. The project
should be able to be started as of November 5th, and have the part they can cover finished by
December 15th. They currently have a donation from Republic Waste towards the project. Idaho
Power wants to do another check donation presentation. There is no date yet but they will be
working with them to get that scheduled.
The tractor will be stored soon once the container is received to store it in. Bill stated that the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is wanting to have the archery range added into the park
instead of having its own location. Currently there is an ordinance that says no archery is allowed
in the park. Bill wanted to see if the Board would want to update that. The Board stated that they
Monday, September 22, 2025
Page 9 of 9
would be in favor of having that updated since the BLM wants to have it put in the park. October
11th there will be a group named Daughters of the American Revolution that is going out to pick
up trash at the park.
Jim Williams was brought for an interview with the Board. The Board asked why Jim would be
interested in being on the park board. Jim stated that he is a part of two off-road groups and
would love to represent them. He knows that the park has a lot of area that is not being utilized
currently and he would like to see them find ways to utilize that space.
Meeting adjourned at 5:13 pm.
________________________
______________________________
Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk
A. Ben Crouch, Chairman
______________________________
Charles M. Howell, Commissioner
______________________________
Art Watkins, Commissioner
Text is extracted by machine from the official file linked on each page; the official file is the record. Sentinel Media, LLC.