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Commissioners Meeting

minutes meeting date 2026-06-29 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 13746 characters · read by OCR, check numbers against the source · official file · plain text

Monday, June 29, 2026
Page 1 of 6
JEROME COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Monday, June 29, 2026
PRESENT: Ben Crouch, Chairman
Charles Howell, Vice Chairman
Art Watkins, Commissioner
Cy Lootens, County Clerk
Meeting convened at 9:00 am.
Commissioner Reports
Public present: Jordan Johnstone, Riley Johnstone
Commissioner Watkins – Commissioner Watkins reported that on Tuesday he attended Rotary.
The discussion for the week was related to wearing helmets and bike safety. Commissioner
Watkins also received a phone call from a citizen Tuesday. They asked if the county had an
ordinance related to Jake Break noise. After discussion the commissioners decided to ask legal
counsel at the end of the day during their scheduled time. On Wednesday, commissioner Watkins
attended the Snake River Parks Board meeting. At the meeting they discussed using QR codes
for payments at the RV park. They also discussed putting signs in the park to direct traffic before
the July 8th opening of the overlook. Commissioner Watkins reported that he visited the new Ag
building at Valley School to see the progress being made on its construction. On Friday he
attended a class reunion for Valley School District, and on Saturday at the Eden City park he
attended and spoke at the opening of the new war memorial exhibit. He said there were many
vets in attendance, and the program was well put together.
Commissioner Howell – Commissioner Howell reported that on Tuesday he attended the St
Lukes community forum where they discussed the future of Jerome’s hospital plans and
collecting donations. He also reported that he looked at the new DePew Arena sign and that the
fair will be giving an official presentation of the placement of the new sign soon. On Saturday he
attended the Eden veteran’s memorial dedication and stated that he saw hundreds of people in
attendance.
Commissioner Crouch – Commissioner crouch reported that early in the week he helped get
things ready for Airport Days, but it was unfortunately canceled due to weather. Later in the
week he was out of town to attend a wedding in Utah.
Administrative Review of Staff’s Zoning Ordinance Interpretation on Guest Houses
Staff present: Kacie Buhler, Ryan Christiansen
Public present: Matt Hargrave, Jordan Johnstone, Riley Johnstone
Kacie presented to the commissioners that her office’s interpretation of zoning ordinances related
to guest houses and their allowed or disallowed use in certain cases is being challenged by Matt
Hargrave. The crux of the issue is whether a guest house is considered a dwelling. Both parties
are asking the commissioners to review the situation and help resolve the disagreement. Mr.
Hargrave sees that under current rules he should be allowed to build a guest house on his

Monday, June 29, 2026
Page 2 of 6
property, and County P&Z is arguing that he can not. Commissioner Watkins asked what the
process is to clarify the definition and how hard that would be to do. Kacie stated that it would
require approval from the P&Z board as well as the county commissioners and would require
public hearings. Commissioners discussed with Kacie similar situations that they are aware of in
the county and why they were allowed but this instance is not. Kacie stated that each situation
has different circumstances so it’s not easy to make direct comparisons. Factors like zoning and
location determine the outcome. Commissioner Crouch asked if the new state law about this
situation applies. Kacie said it does not because the new law is for within city limits, and the
property in question is in the county. Commissioner Crouch stated that he would like to review
this more and discuss it with legal counsel because he wants to make sure the county is balancing
their ordinances with individual property rights. Commissioners Howell and Watkins echoed his
thoughts regarding legal counsel.
Family Health Services Clinic Budget Request
Staff present: Tracee McKim
Public present: Camille Barigar, Arron Houston, Michelle McFarland, David Orr, Mike Pohanka
Aaron Houston with Family Health Services spoke to the commissioners to talk to them about a
plan to get a Family Health Services facility in Hazelton. He stated that there was an attempt to
do this 5 years ago, but it fell though. Interested parties have been meeting for about 9 months to
try and get the facility done again. Camille stated that grants were applied for but were not
received so the group is going to have to try for other grants. Aaron said that buying an existing
building instead of building new will save costs and open up other grants that they can apply for.
Camille said step one of identifying a building is done. They have contacted an owner, and the
owner is willing to sell. Michelle said that the next step is applying for other grants. Camille
stated that the city of Hazelton must purchase the building to be eligible for the grants. It cannot
be a private owner. David Orr informed the commissioners that the City of Hazelton has saved
about $150,000 from previous budgets that can be used toward the purchase, and they are hoping
to save about $80,000 this year. The asking price of the building is $350,000. So, there is still
money that needs to be raised. Camille asked the county if they would be able to donate toward
the building purchase. She asked for a donation of up to $100,000 over two years. The remaining
funds could be found with grants or private donations. Commissioner Howell asked if a donation
would need to be an outright donation to the City of Hazelton, or if the county would be co-
owners of the building. Michelle stated that in order to qualify for certain grants the city must
own the building outright. Commissioner Crouch stated that the county is in the middle of
budgeting right now, and they can’t commit anything yet. They will have a clearer picture of the
county’s budget in a few weeks.
Airport Generator Part Approval
Staff present: Kirsten Hartley
Kirsten presented a quote from Generator Solutions to the commissioners. She stated that they
recently did a yearly service on the generator at the airport and found that it needs repairs. There
is a diaphragm that needs rebuilt in order to keep propane from being burned up in the generator.
Kirsten said that there is money in the generator maintenance budget to cover the costs.

Monday, June 29, 2026
Page 3 of 6
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve expenses in the amount of $610 for the fuel
diaphragm rebuild kit for the Jerome Airport. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The
motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Kirsten informed the commissioners that Safe Haven Defense would like to do a demo for the
commissioners and any interested department heads to show off their bullet proof glass. The date
of July 13th at 11:30am was designated for the demo. Kirsten will email department heads in the
coming days to see if anyone else is interested in the demo.
Meeting recessed at 11:20 am.
Meeting reconvened at 1:18 pm.
Commissioner Howell was excused to attend the ribbon cutting of the new National Guard
Readiness Center.
Tax Cancelation, Charitable Application
Staff present: Mark Swenson
Mark began by saying that the tax cancellation he planned to present will need to be postponed
to another time. Next, he presented to commissioners the application for tax exemption by the
Jerome Food Ministries. They are looking for 501C3 status for the property that was donated to
them recently within the city of Jerome. Mark informed the commissioners that they have
already received approval from the IRS.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the property tax exemption application for
Jerome Food Ministries for the property and lots as presented. Seconded by
Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
South Central Community Action Partnership Budget Request
Staff present: Tracee McKim
Public present: Shalynn Kellogg
Shalynn Kellogg CEO of South Central Community Action Partnership presented to the
commissioners. She discussed the work her organization does in Jerome County. Including
energy assistance, weatherization of homes, and food boxes. She stated her organization has
spent over two million dollars for services in Jerome County. She is asking for a donation this
year from the county in the amount of $2,500. Her organization is looking to purchase a freezer
this year to help store protein that is donated to them for distribution. Half of the money has
already been raised, and they are looking for grants and donations to cover the rest of the freezer
costs. She also informed the commissioners that there will be a key ceremony in August for
Homes build in Jerome County with their self-help home building program.

Monday, June 29, 2026
Page 4 of 6
Airport Freezer Purchase
Staff present: Marty Luhr
Since Airport Day had to be postponed Marty is asking the commissioners for permission to
purchase a freezer to store all of the food purchased for the event. He presented two freezers he
found at stores in Twin Falls. Commissioners reviewed the freezers he presented.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the purchase of a freezer for the airport not to
exceed the price of $649.99 plus tax. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion
passed with a unanimous vote.
Marty informed the commissioners that at the next airport board meeting they will be discussing
when to reschedule the airport event. The next meeting is July 7th.
Western League LLC – Personal Property Taxes Discussion
Staff present: Nina Lagle
Public present: Bilal Makaradze
Bilal was present on behalf of the trucking company Western League LLC. He stated that his
trucking company has had issues keeping up with the economy and has fallen behind on property
tax payments. He is asking the commissioners to waive the penalties and interest associated with
the property to help make it easier to pay off the taxes. Penalties and interest total $557.38
Commissioner Crouch asked if he was given until the end of November to pay off the remaining
property tax amount if it could be paid in full. If it was, the county would remove the penalties
and interest. Bilal said that it would be done. Commissioners will follow up in December to see
if the taxes have been paid.
Budget Workshop
Staff present: Tracee McKim, Cy Lootens, Sam Beus
Tracee discussed with commissioners the budget updates she had made since the last budget
meeting. She stated that there have not been any updates recently relating to insurance cost for
employees. She will be following up and hopefully will have more information next week. She
then went over departments’ requests for new employee positions, as well as any departments
requesting substantial raises for their employees. Commissioner Crouch asked if there are things
that need to be cut from the budget this year to keep the yearly increase down. Tracee stated that
in a few weeks she will get a better idea of what money can be carried over from this years
budget and how much the county will be asking from property taxes. That will determine how
much if anything will need to be cut from the current proposed budget. Yearly raises for
employees were also discussed and will be discussed again next week.

Monday, June 29, 2026
Page 5 of 6
Legal Counsel/Treatment Court Counseling Office Space Discussion
Staff present: Sam Beus
Same discussed with the commissioners the current state of DUI court and drug court. He stated
that they are currently on hold because the treatment provider in Jerome County is shut down.
There are no providers interested in helping in Jerome County currently. The Jerome County
residents have had to go to Twin Falls county for court and treatment. Sam asked if the vacant
house formerly used by the Public Defenders is available to be used by a treatment provider.
This would make it easier to bring someone into the county again. Commissioner Crouch said
that this will need to be discussed further, but it could be used for that purpose if needed. Sam
will reach out to the state so that someone can tour the house and see if it will work for their
providers. Commissioners and Sam will follow up on this again next week.
Meeting adjourned at 5:18 pm.
________________________
______________________________
Cy Lootens, Clerk
A. Ben Crouch, Chairman
______________________________
Charles M. Howell, Commissioner
______________________________
Art Watkins, Commissioner

BUDGET TOTALS

DEPARTMENT PAYROLL ACCT PAY GRAND TOTAL
P a{CLERK CT S85 |S 18.59 |
| 2|ASSESSOR PS 18259] 132.59 |
| 3|TREASURER

po
| 4IHUMANRESOURCES [| TS 29.991S 29.99 |
2 COMB SON ERS
| BICORONER
| 10/BUILDING &GROUNDSMAINT. [$452.03 $ 452.03 |
| 14/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT [$2,604.00 |$ 2,604.00 |
HB[EXTENSION AGENT | [suse [saa or}
|14,DATAPROCESSING | TS 15,.284.73/$ 15,284.73 |
pIS|ELECTIONS Ss
eee te de gaapante sane na
p18/GENERAL TS OTS 5,037.88 1S 5,038.89 |
P2ifPLANNING ZONING Pf fg

-35 GENERAL FUND RESERVE FUND SEE ——
VETERANS
ee wslie fi E

ub Tota enera

eee
ADULT PROBATION $ 7,103.40 | $ 7,103.40
PTprosecuron fg
[|PUBLIC DEFENDERS _[|————Ssd[ SCS

HOIREVALUATION | [7s]

| [GRAND TOTAL r$—Ss«d«O1 | $ «58,901.31 |$ 58,902.32

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