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Commissioners Meeting

minutes meeting date 2026-08-17 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 13376 characters · read by OCR, check numbers against the source · official file · plain text

Monday, August 17, 2026
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JEROME COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Monday, August 17, 2026
PRESENT: Ben Crouch, Chairman
Charles Howell, Vice Chairman
Art Watkins, Commissioner
Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk
Meeting convened at 9:00 am.
Commissioner Reports
Public present: Lyle Johnstone
Commissioner Watkins – Commissioner Watkins reported that he attended the DL Evans
barbecue lunch. Then he attended the Jerome 20/20 meeting. He gave a report there on the
county. He attended the Snake River Parks board meeting. Later he attended the CSI ribbon
cutting for the new location in Jerome. Then he went and participated in the cupcake wars event
at the fair. He also attended the event in Twin Falls for the Chobani food giveaway. He went to
the South Central Community Action Partnership to help with signing checks.
Commissioner Howell – Commissioner Howell reported that he went to the CSI ribbon cutting.
He talked with Scott Bedke and Mike Simpson at the event. Then he went to the Chobani food
giveaway at a park in Twin Falls. He also attended the meeting with St Lukes regarding the
grants that they have given away. Later he had a discussion with an individual who wanted to
lease a location at the Hazelton airport. Then he attended the airport board meeting. There was a
discussion regarding the damage to the approach aprons caused by a water line leak and who is
responsible. The Snake River Canyon Parks board reached out to him regarding the security
group they want to hire. He also discussed a trailer that had been left in a parking lot for several
weeks and he reached out to the sheriff’s office about removing the trailer.
He had a constituent reach out to him regarding opening a new gravel pit. There were concerns
expressed regarding the security of the pit once it is opened and Commissioner Howell reached
out to the sheriff’s office regarding this. Then he rode on a float for the fair parade. He had
several individuals reach out regarding the cleanliness of the fairgrounds and the midget
wrestling event. Later he attended a meeting with a group who is looking to create a horse racing
organization in the state. He also attended the livestock sale at the fairgrounds.
Commissioner Crouch – Commissioner Crouch reported that he attended the Joe Mama’s car
show. Then he went to the FFA animal sale at the fairgrounds. He reported that the sale went
really well.
Energy Presentation Discussion
Public present: Lyle Johnstone
The Board wanted to discuss the energy presentation that was given several weeks ago regarding
the small nuclear reactors. The Board wants to discuss how some of the previous companies

Monday, August 17, 2026
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wanted to meet with the Commissioners in private. The Board did not want this and wants to
have any presentations given in front of the Commissioners with anyone from the public being
able to attend. Then the Board discussed whether the small nuclear reactor was worth continuing
to learn about. If there is a company that is interested, then they should come in public and
present. The Board also discussed the meeting before and that it was not the meeting that was
expected.
Read and Approve Minutes
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the minutes from July 27th and 28th.
Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Coloring Contest for America 250 Discussion
Staff present: Mark Swenson
Mark stated that he wanted to discuss the coloring contest and how to finish out that process. He
wants to see if the contestants should be brought in for a photo op or to give something to those
who participated. He wanted to see if the Board wanted to give the winners a gift card.
IT Purchases
Staff present: Matthew McGregor and Daniel Bickar
Matthew stated that he has some items that he is looking to purchase. The first is regarding a
switch for the annex building. The switch would also give more ports for the storage system he is
looking to add too. Then the next item is regarding the storage system for the prosecutor’s office.
Recently the files for the prosecutor’s office are getting larger and taking up more storage space.
The storage drives would be able to help to cover the storage needs for several years. Then he is
looking to purchase 10 new desktops to switch out older models in the county.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the expenditure of the hi capacity
aggregation switch for $1,026.80, a file server for the prosector’s office for
$15,800.46, and the ten new desktops for $16,580.00, for a total of $33,407.26.
Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Matthew stated that IT has been working on several items at the sheriff’s office lately. He also
had a member of the secretary of state’s office come during the previous week to help with
different items that come up.
Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization Allotment Discussion
Public present: Rebecca Wildman, Jason Barnes, and Lyle Johnstone
Jason stated that he is the new executive director for Southern Idaho Economic Development
Organization (SIEDO). He is looking to get to know the communities that he serves and how he
can help to meet the community’s needs. The previous jobs that he has held have helped him to

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become acquainted with this region and he wanted to continue to help these areas in this new
position. He is also wanting to request the standard amount that has been contributed to this
organization. He is wanting to continue to reach out to the partners that have been made in
France and see how those businesses could be brought to the area and benefit the area. The
Board continued to talk with Jason regarding his impact with other economic development
groups and how he works with them to pitch Jerome County to others.
Planning and Zoning Monthly Report
Staff present: Kacie Buhler
Public present: Lyle Johnstone
Kacie gave a report on the planning and zoning department. She stated that there was a monthly
revenue of $22,163.05 for the previous month. There was a county surveyor fee that was
covered. There were a total of 76 inspections done during the previous month. A total of 33 new
permits were received. She also gave an update on the code enforcement from her department.
She discussed a situation that was discovered of an individual adding another home onto their
parcel to exceed the amount that was allowed under code. There are several of these that
continue to happen and she would like to see something added into code to update the allowance
of an accessory dwelling unit. Another one of the properties had issues with excessive junk on
the property which is a safety issue for the resident as well as neighbors. There were a total of 32
records requests during July. She discussed the resignation of an employee. She also wanted to
discuss a quote for new signs that can be used for publishing notices in the communities.
Commissioner Howell moved to approve the purchase of planning and zoning
advertising signs in the amount of $740.25. Seconded by Commissioner Crouch.
The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
She then discussed the energy ordinance that she has been working on. There is work put into the
ordinance most days to continue with updating the ordinance. She has been working specifically
on the definition of agriculture ground to help with outlining where the facilities could or
couldn’t be allowed.
Meeting recessed at 11:59 am.
Meeting reconvened at 1:15 pm.
Administration Offices Building Door Repair Quote
Staff present: Ryan Treanor
Ryan stated that he is presenting the repair quote on behalf of Brent Culbertson who is out of
office today. He stated that the door by the elevator that has badge access is having some issues
with latching. He stated that Brent had reached out and received a quote from Twin Falls Glass
for the required repair. The total of the quote is $9,461.66 after parts and labor.

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Commissioner Watkins moved to accept the quote to repair the badge access
door in the amount of $9,461.66. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion
passed with a unanimous vote.
Emergency Management Monthly Report
Staff present: Kirsten Hartley
Kirsten gave a report on the emergency management department. She stated that she received
information from the state regarding the FEMA funds and that those funds have been made
available. There are several requests that she has and wanted to share with the Board. One is for
new portable radios for both the sheriff’s office and the Jerome City Fire District. IT has
requested a badge printer that can be used for county purposes. The last request is for radio
batteries for the Jerome City Police Department. She shadowed the local SIRCOMM employees.
One of the projects that she has been working on is a countywide resource for emergency
management information to be provided to the public on emergencies that take place. She
presented on the information that she has made available.
Shoshone Falls Overlook and Park Projects
Public present: Bill Bridges
Bill stated that he has been reaching out to the BLM regarding a meeting about the shooting
range. He is wanting to have a meeting with IDL as well. The park board would like to have a
trail set up and needs to meet with IDL for approval first. He also wanted to discuss the signs for
Highway 93 for the overlook. The quote is around $2,500 and the park board has moved to
approve the funds for that. Then he discussed the fencing at the overlook park and how another
section of fencing was approved by the park board. The park board was worried regarding
liability if anyone were to get hurt at the park. He reported that the bricks that were purchased by
donations should be installed at the park soon. The RV park is still collecting money and he
wrote a check for the money that was received. There was a student who was painting the metal
container that the park owns and has finished the entire mural on the container.
Jerome Airport Lot, Bank/Deed Discussion, & Request for Extension of Time to Move Old
Airplane
Staff present: Marty Luhr
The Board stated that they had received a request about leasing a location at the airport in
Hazelton. The individual reached out to see if they can start a lease and the Board stated that this
would need to be approved by the entire board before a lease begins. The Board stated that they
would be in approval of starting the new lease at the Hazelton airport. Marty also wanted to
discuss the old airplane that is parked outside at the Jerome airport. He stated that the owner
reached out to him to extend the time frame for renting the space for his antique plane. The
Board asked if this individual has been paying their rent. Marty replied that the individual has
not paid any rent so far for the space.

Monday, August 17, 2026
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Commissioner Howell moved to deny the extension of Sean O’Brien for the time
allowed for the antique airplane at the Jerome airport unless the rent that is owed
is paid up by August 31st. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion
passed with a unanimous vote.
Sign and Approve Claims
Commissioner Watkins 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 6 of the minutes.
Read and Approve Minutes
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the minutes from 08/10. Seconded by
Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Indigent Matters
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the indigent claims as presented.
Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 3:18 pm.
________________________
______________________________
Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk
A. Ben Crouch, Chairman
______________________________
Charles M. Howell, Commissioner
______________________________
Art Watkins, Commissioner

BUDGET TOTALS

DEPARTMENT PAYROLL ACCT PAY GRAND TOTAL
Pieter TS azsssret Taz 685.76]
rs 9,192.06, —~*4S__9.192.06 |
ot
"4|HUMAN RESOURCES [$5,062.30 | 5,062.30
[s|coMmISsIONERS [$7,950.00] $7500 [$8,125.00)
Té|CORONERS—S™
HO[SULDING & GROUNDS MAIS T0075 [$—sa-11 [10.586 16]
HiIEMERGENCY MANAGEMENTS 2120.00 [#72000]
[IS[EXTENSION AGENT [$4,706.28 $4,706.28
M4|DATA PROCESSING __|$___7,841.61|§ 12,588.38 |$ 20,379.99 |
MIs|ELECTIONS.

es
GENERAL $ 70,510.86 |3 49,521.78 | 3 120,032.64
Sebenmomsime| |

GIS 2,202.80 2, 202. 80
SO VETERANS SERVE
|30/VETERANS

ub Total (Genera Saar 3 ee
Sr LA I
| S|SHERIFF-DETENTION _|$ __95,686.90|$ _ 5,355.96 |$ __ 101,042.86 |
7|PROSECUTOR |S _31,703.05[ _———*| $31,703.05.

ee ee

a TORT

ee
29| AMBULANCE

SeWATERWAYScremer fT
SSIWATERWAYS SHERIFF
9|BROADBAND GRANT FUNDS
rr
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
cE Sub Total § 50,407.54 |$§ 20,374.45 |§ 79,801.99

| [GRAND TOTAL $ 620,564.66 |$ 100,181.38 |$ 720,746.04

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