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minutes meeting date 2026-07-28 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 5127 characters · official file · plain text
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
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JEROME COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
PRESENT: Ben Crouch, Chairman
Charles Howell, Vice Chairman
Art Watkins, Commissioner
Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk
Meeting convened at 9:00 am.
Legal Counsel, Board Review Discussion with Legal Counsel and Decision on the
Interpretation of a "Guest House" in the Jerome County Zoning Ordinance
Staff present: Mike Seib, Kacie Buhler, and Ryan Christensen
Public present: Matt Hargrave
The Board stated that they are here to review the interpretation of a guest house in Jerome
County ordinance with legal counsel. The Board stated that the way that planning and zoning
interpreted the ordinance is that the guest house would not be allowed and wanted clarification of
what legal counsel interprets the ordinance. Mike stated that he has not reviewed this information
since he thought he was here to help with the issue of making a decision without inviting the
individual appealing this ordinance. He stated that it would be up to the Board to make the
decision of how the ordinance should be interpreted. The Board asked Kacie to review the matter
that was discussed previously. Kacie stated that the current ordinance does not allow for guest
houses as there would be no way to manage those. The other thing that was brought forward
previously was that the guest house could be allowed under the accessory building. Matt stated
that he feels that it should be allowed under the accessory building. Mike then stated that the
Board should be deciding on the definition of the language and not to decide whether to go
forward with changes at this time, it is to just decide the definition at it currently sits. The Board
discussed that there is a desire to review this part of the ordinance and to change it to allow for
guest houses in the future.
Commissioner Crouch moved to uphold the decision of planning and zoning on
their interpretation of a guest house under the current ordinances, with an
expression to want to update the ordinance regarding this in the future. Seconded
by Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
The Board asked Mike if they need to do a review with the fairgrounds manager or if it would be
up to the fair board to do that. Mike stated that it should be up to the Commissioners to do it
since that person is considered as a county employee.
Airport Fuels Prices Discussion
The Board wanted to review the fuel prices for the airport. The Board wanted to wait until
Commissioner Crouch was present again as he is the liaison for the airport board. The Board
wants to give a discount to those who have hangars and planes at the airports. A discussion was
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
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had to have a system in place that could be used to track the discount for different individuals to
where not everyone is getting a discount on fuel. The Board agreed that this should be
implemented once there is a way to ensure that only those who should get the discount can.
Juvenile Detention Continued Contract Discussion
The Board received an updated contract regarding the juvenile detention center. The contract was
sent from Twin Falls County regarding the Snake River Detention Center. The Board reviewed
and discussed the contract.
Commissioner Howell moved to accept the juvenile detention center contract for
the use of the juvenile detention between Jerome County and Twin Falls County
with Snake River Detention Center for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-2027.
Seconded by Commissioner Crouch. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Airport Update
Staff present: Marty Luhr
Public present: Rod Thomas
Marty stated that construction has started at Jerome airport. He has had some of the hotshots at
the airport over the last few weeks as they respond to potential fires. He also has an individual
who is interested in bringing in a crop duster to the airport and he has found a spot for his
airplane. There is an issue that he is having with running out of fuel from the jet tank. It is a
10,000 gallon tank but it is being sold out each week.
Rod stated that he was here to discuss the leasing of an ag pit at the airport. There was a
discussion on the location for the new crop duster plane. The company is planning on just doing
dry spraying this year and will move to wet sprays next year. There would need to be updates
made to the area to allow for the water line to be updated for this. The individual who is looking
to lease this land is very interested in leasing the area going forward.
Commissioner Howell moved to lease pit 4J to Topcat Ag Aviation for $1,500 for
ag year 2026 with a lease to be signed by the end of next week on August 7th.
Seconded by Commissioner Crouch. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 10:46 am.
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
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________________________
______________________________
Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk
A. Ben Crouch, Chairman
______________________________
Charles M. Howell, Commissioner
______________________________
Art Watkins, Commissioner
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