Jerome County | minutes | meeting 2026-07-28 | Commissioners Meeting source: https://www.jeromecountyid.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07282026-1689 Tuesday, July 28, 2026 Page 1 of 3 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 Page 2 of 3 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 Page 3 of 3 ________________________ ______________________________ Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk A. Ben Crouch, Chairman ______________________________ Charles M. Howell, Commissioner ______________________________ Art Watkins, Commissioner