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Commissioners Meeting

minutes meeting date 2025-09-02 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 13863 characters · read by OCR, check numbers against the source · official file · plain text

Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Page 1 of 7
JEROME COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Tuesday, September 2, 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 Twin Falls planning
and zoning workshop. He attended the REDS meeting. They went over the business plus
operation face lift. Then he went to the jail to do a quarterly jail inspection.
Commissioner Howell – Commissioner Howell stated that he attended the Twin Falls planning
and zoning workshop. He then attended the Mid Snake River Water council. They are working to
redefine the purpose of the group. There was also discussions on the financial situation of the
board. He attended a meeting with civil science engineering that is in charge of the snake river
canyon parks along with several park board members and Commissioner Watkins. There was a
request to meet regarding the issues with the 4H sale committee and the fair board. There was a
member involved with the incident that wanted to discuss the events but stay anonymous. In
another matter he informed the Board that two buildings were destroyed at the Ifarm fire.
Commissioner Crouch – Commissioner Crouch stated that he met with the Jerome 20/20
executive board. They made a decision regarding the hiring of the new head of Jerome 20/20. He
attended the Digb4 board meeting. He attended the CSI ribbon cutting ceremony for the soccer
fields. He has been working on the ribbon cutting for the new offices in the Jerome
Administrations Offices Building. He took some calls regarding the Moonlight Recovery Center,
and that it is back up and running. He has continued to work on the survey for Martha and Marys
Pantry. He took phone calls from three constituents regarding complaints they had with the
planning and zoning department.
Jerome School District L2 Extension
Cy Lootens and Tracee McKim were present.
Cy stated that the Jerome School District is having an issue with obtaining some information on
the school refund. They are still working on their L2 tax paperwork. With the delay in the other
information the school had requested an extension on their L2 paperwork. The school was
looking for a one week extension on the deadline for the paperwork.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the signing of the L2 paperwork
extension for all school districts in the county. Seconded by Commissioner
Howell. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.

Tuesday, September 2, 2025
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NeoGov Software Purchase Discussion
Matthew McGregor and Cy Lootens were present.
Matthew stated that they have received an official quote for the NeoGov services. Cy stated that
they have updated the agreement with the company and have received the quote to purchase the
software. They both wanted to make sure that they are approved to go forward with the purchase
before they paid the bill.
Commissioner Watkins moved to accept the information presented on the
NeoGov software and approve the purchase of the software in the amount of
$59,346.60, for payroll and HR services. Seconded by Commissioner Crouch.
The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Cy stated that this will cover both HR and payroll. The other benefit is that they can have
someone come and train on the system in person. Matthew stated that there is a representative in
Meridian that can come once the software is rolled out to help with training individuals to use the
new software.
Matthew stated that the state of Idaho has reached out to see if the IT department wants to take
on an apprentice. The state would cover the pay for the individual and to have the apprentice be
part time. He stated that this individual would report to the state, but that the local IT would be
an on site manager. This individual would also be able to work on the projects that the local IT is
working on.
Matthew stated that they will be starting to work on the rewiring project of the Jerome
Administrations Office Building. He wants to make sure that they are approved to work on this
project before starting since it will be an overtime project for the IT individuals involved.
Matthew stated that he has also reached a large surplus of comp time of the past few months. He
wanted to see what the Board thought he should do with the extra comp time. The Board
suggested that they would like to pay him out, and see that he can try to not gain as much build
up in the future if possible.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the payout of Matthew’s overtime comp
time as dictated by the manual. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion
passed with a unanimous vote.
GIS Monthly Report
Mark Reyes was present.
Mark gave a presentation on the GIS department. He stated that he has continued to work on
updating information on county maps. He has also worked on updating the county addresses
through the last month. He met with Bill Bridges about helping to move the tractor, so they can

Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Page 3 of 7
use the tractor to scrape the ground for a project. During the last month he met with the city of
Jerome to go over addressing issues.
Proclamation for CSI’s 60th Anniversary
Chris Bragg was present.
The Board stated that they are excited to be involved with the 60th anniversary of the College of
Southern Idaho (CSI). The Board read a resolution regarding the history of CSI.
Commissioner Crouch moved to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the
College of Southern Idaho by signing the document drafted. Seconded by
Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Chris stated that he appreciates the continued support of Jerome County. He really appreciates
the local opportunity of CSI and the opportunity he had to go to CSI after graduating from
Jerome High School. He appreciates the opportunity now to work with the college and the
upcoming events and projects that CSI has going on. He is also very excited for their new
building that is being constructed across the street from the Jerome Administration Offices
Building.
Fair and County Separation
Mike Seib, Jesse Vallez, and Amanda Worthington were present.
Mike stated that Commissioner Howell had reached out to see what Mike would be presenting
on. He has gone over the separation of the two groups in the past. He stated that there is a fair
employee who is sending in claims for workers comp. Jesse stated that she is not sure how this
should works for fair employees and how to go through this process because the employee is
with the fair instead of the county. She wants to know where the liability falls and if this is
something that HR should be going over. Mike stated that this individual is also bringing up the
potential of lawsuits if the claims are not accepted. He stated that the county needs to make
things clearer that there is a separation between the two groups of the county and the fair.
Meeting recessed at 12:10 pm.
Meeting reconvened at 1:36 pm.
Executive Session
Commissioner Crouch moved to go into executive session per Idaho code 74-
206(1)(b) for personnel. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed
with a unanimous roll call vote.

Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Page 4 of 7
Executive session began at 1:37 pm and ended at 1:54 pm.
Emergency Sick Leave Time Donation for Sherriff Employee
Sheriff George Oppedyk was present.
George stated that he sent the Board an email. He has an employee who has had some major
health issues over the last year. He has some other employees who are willing to donate some of
their extra emergency sick leave time to help the other employee.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the donation of extended sick leave
time on behalf of the sheriffs office on behalf of one employee to another in the
amount of 90 hours. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed
with a unanimous vote.
Note: The Board wanted to mention that they appreciate employees looking out
for one another.
Building Security Discussion
Sheriff George Oppedyk, Matthew McGregor, Assessor Mark Swenson, Troy Tolman, Marisela
Aguirre, Cory Kehrer, Dean Dekruyf, and Cy Lootens were present.
Cory stated that they had been approved for the purchase of the walk through metal detector. He
has also heard that they will be having both machines checked soon to make sure they function
properly. The Board wanted to discuss any meetings that would take place after hours. Cory
stated that they can be there for after-hour meetings too if they are notified of them in advance.
There was a discussion regarding weapons that would be brought in by individuals and how that
would be handled. Sheriff George Oppedyk stated that it would be handled just as it is at the
annex, that they would be asked to go back out to their cars and put them in their cars.
The Board asked questions regarding entrance and exits with the new security machines. George
stated that this would follow the entrance and exits at the annex. If any other door is opened then
an alarm will sound, and that everyone will be required to come in through the back entrance
with security. He also confirmed that employees would also have to go through security just as
the annex building does.
Tax Cancelation
Mark Swenson was present.

Tuesday, September 2, 2025
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Mark stated that his office received an address update in 2023. With this update the assessors
office policy is to remove the home owners exemption for the home. The address that should
have been changed was a different house owned by the same individuals.
Commissioner Howell moved to approve the cancelation of tax value, for David J
Rice and Leigh Ann Culver-Rice due to a mailing error, in the amount of
$1,626.18. Seconded by Commissioner Crouch. The motion passed with a
unanimous vote.
Note: This is regarding parcel number RPJ13700800100.
Sign and Approve Claims
Commissioner Howell moved to approve the claims as presented by staff.
Seconded by Commissioner Crouch. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
*To see an image of the report please see page 7 of the minutes.
Legal Counsel
Mike Seib was present.
The Board wanted to ask questions about prejudicing in advance of an appeal hearing. Mike
stated that if there is anything that they have learned about the appeal in advance to have it
mentioned at the start of the hearing. This way everything will be included on the record and to
make sure that it is available to the public to know.
The Board also wanted to discuss an upcoming appeal hearing and the rules regarding times.
Mike stated that the planning and zoning would work with the individual to find a date. He stated
that there was a date agreed upon and then they worked to change the times. He stated that there
would be no issue in this and that the appellant would not need to be at the meeting if they are
unable to make the meeting after they agreed to the date. He also stated that with the time out as
far as it is the appellant should have time to make adjustments to be available. The Board would
not need to do anything to change the hearing as it has been officially scheduled and publicized.
Mike further stated that someone else could attend on behalf of the appellant if necessary in the
worst-case scenario.
Read and Approve Minutes
Commissioner Crouch moved to accept the minutes from 8/25 with the suggested
adjustments. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a
unanimous vote.
Subdivision Participation & Release Form

Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Page 6 of 7
Commissioner Crouch moved to sign and accept the paperwork for the most
recent opioid settlement. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed
with a unanimous vote.
Garbage Services Discussion
Commissioner Howell moved to retain Western Waste Services based on the
information that the Board has received. Seconded by Commissioner Crouch.
The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 4:06 pm.
________________________
______________________________
Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk
A. Ben Crouch, Chairman
______________________________
Charles M. Howell, Commissioner
______________________________
Art Watkins, Commissioner

BUDGET TOTALS

DEPARTMENT PAYROLL ACCT PAY GRAND TOTAL
1/CLERK $40,350.92 | $ 328.51 |$ 40,679.43
2|ASSESSOR $8,182.21 | 3 422.44 | $ 8,604.65

3/TREASURER $7,241.96 $ 7,241.96

4|HUMAN RESOURCES ~—s{$_3,115.38 $ 3,115.38
S|COMMISSIONERS |S 7,500.00|$ 900.00 |$__8, 400.00 |
6ICORONER CCS (981.53 450.00[$ 1,411.53
10|BUILDING & GROUNDS MAli[ $__ 8,479.46
11/EMERGENCY MANAGEMEN] $__2,000.00 | $ 481.66 |$ 2,481.66
13|EXTENSION AGENT | $3,562.50 |
14|DATAPROCESSING _—|$__—7.552.00|$ _—8,193.81|$ _ 15,745.81 |
15|ELECTIONS |
$
: $

1,000.00

aSHERIFF [$84,067.55 § 14,170.01 |S 00,158.00 |
5|/SHERIFF-DETENTION $ 83,444.50 | $ 7,975.98 | $ 91,420.48
glADULT PROBATION [$9727 38s —-ag020{s —10 160.80
7|PROSECUTOR $ 32,133.76 | $ 58.29 | $ 32,192.05
S|PUBLIC DEFENDERS —— a

9|JUVENILE PROBATION | $_11,906.20|$ 331.45 [$12,037.65 |
TG|GENERAL JUSTICE [$46,387.15 |$ 4,496.06 |$ 50,883.21,
[DISTRICT COURT |§__8,075.97| _6593.84|§ 14,609.81.

£A| 69

ee
41/BOND REDEMPTION es ee ee
48|AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

6A) 69) 69) 49/44) 49

ub Total $ _37,782.55|$ 37,882.89 |$ 75,665.44

GRAND TOTAL —_—i| $-431,024.05|$ 89,987.88 |$ 521,011.93

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