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minutes meeting date 2026-06-15 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 15802 characters · read by OCR, check numbers against the source · official file · plain text
Monday, June 15, 2026
Page 1 of 7
JEROME COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Monday, June 15, 2026
PRESENT: Ben Crouch, Chairman
Charles Howell, Vice Chairman
Art Watkins, Commissioner
Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk
Meeting convened at 9:02 am.
Commissioner Reports
Commissioner Watkins – Commissioner Watkins reported that he attended the rotary meeting.
There was a presentation on America 250. He attended the Jerome 20/20 meeting. He gave a
report on the county during the meeting. Then he had a conversation with Tom Reed later in the
week. He also attended the DUI graduation. Later he attended the Mid Snake River Conservation
District meeting. There was a discussion on fire wise plants.
Commissioner Howell – Commissioner Howell reported that he attended the DUI graduation
event. Then he attended the Mid Snake River Conservation District. He attended the Jerome
20/20 meeting.
Commissioner Crouch – Commissioner Crouch reported that he attended the rotary meeting.
Then he attended the fair board meeting. There was a discussion regarding the budget and
sponsorships for the fair. Then he attended the Jerome 20/20 chamber meeting. He also attended
the DUI court graduation. Later he attended a meeting with the Idaho Transportation Department
(ITD) online. The meeting was to discuss the Hansen bridge project. He also went to the
overlook location during the week.
Property Taxes Discussion
Staff present: Nina Lagle
Public present: Mayra Sandoval
Mayra wanted to thank the Board for being able to meet with her today. She wanted to meet
regarding her personal property taxes and having the homeowner’s exemption attached to her
property. There were some issues with the paperwork that she stated were not intentional. Nina
contacted the assessor’s office regarding the issue of the exemption not being applied to the
property. The assessor’s office was unable to verify the reason it was removed.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the cancelation of taxes, with the homeowner’s
exemption being removed for an unknown reason, in the amount of $1,702.74, for parcel
RPJ13870020070. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a
unanimous vote.
Monday, June 15, 2026
Page 2 of 7
Tax Cancelation
Staff present: Mark Swenson and Cy Lootens
Mark stated that he has two tax cancelations to discuss with the Board. He stated that both of the
cancelations are regarding mobile homes that are no longer at the properties. The first mobile
home was sold and moved out of county. The second mobile home was destroyed and torn down.
Commissioner Watkins moved to approve the tax cancelations for parcel number
MH0816E106009A in the amount of $277.05, and for parcel number MH0917E042402A
in the amount of $170.71, as the mobile homes that were assessed are no longer at the
properties. Seconded by Commissioner Crouch. The motion passed with a unanimous
vote.
Airport Shed Discussion
Staff present: Marty Luhr and Cy Lootens
Marty wanted to follow up regarding the grill that has been used for the airport appreciation day.
Commissioner Crouch stated that he has reached out to the groups who are in charge of it and
that it may be available to use for the cooking that day.
Marty also wanted to cover a shed that is out at the airport. The shed is currently falling down
and is not currently used. One of the members of the airport board is interested in the shed. He
told the member that he would have to check with the Commissioners before doing anything
with it.
He also wanted to discuss the credit card for the airport. He has continued to max out the card as
he has been purchasing things for airport appreciation day. Cy stated that he can reach out and
have the card limit increased for a short term and have the card limit increased before airport
appreciation day. The Board asked regarding what else would need to be purchased for the event
and how much that may still cost.
Commissioner Crouch moved to raise the airport credit card limit to $3,000 to help with
the purchases pertaining to airport appreciation day. Seconded by Commissioner
Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Snake River Canyon Parks Board Discussion
Staff present: Cy Lootens
Public present: Bill Bridges
Bill stated that he had two candidates for the parks board. One is Stephanie Martin and the other
is Bruce Balthrope. He feels like both individuals would be a good fit for the parks board. The
Board also brought forward that Jeff Pierson is not a very active member of the park board. The
Board wanted to see what he helped with. Bill stated that he has helped with some items at the
RV park and helped place a few signs. He stated that he helps with making sure protocol is met
for the park board meetings. He also feels that there would be no issue of asking him to step
down. The Board stated that they are looking to do that with the worry of the comments that are
Monday, June 15, 2026
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being made out to the public from him. The Board told Bill that they will be sending him a letter
to let him know of his board membership being ended. Bill stated that with this there would be
two openings and that he would like the Board to meet both candidates before deciding on
whether to appoint the individuals or not.
Bill also discussed the fencing at the overlook. He has received a quote regarding the work to
install fencing. He also discussed the signage for the overlook as well as some signage to be
installed out on the highway to lead to the overlook.
Commissioner Crouch moved to appoint Stephanie Martin as a Snake River Canyon
Parks board member, and to dismiss Jeff Pierson from the Snake River Canyon Parks
board effective 06/19/2026. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed
with a unanimous vote.
Note: The Board will consider appointing Bruce Balthrope to the Snake River Canyon
Parks board once an application is received from him.
Meeting recessed at 12:04 pm.
Meeting reconvened at 1:20 pm.
Urban Renewal Board Members Discussion
Staff present: Cy Lootens
Public present: Jeff Schroeder
The Board wanted to discuss the potential appointing of a new member to the Urban Renewal
Board. There was a discussion regarding the previous weeks meeting with Steven Huettig on
appointing a new member to the Urban Renewal Board. The Board discussed what should be
done with this and decided to revisit the matter in a future meeting to allow for time to reach out
to candidates for the Urban Renewal Board.
Martha and Mary’s Pantry, Jerome Interfaith Association Budget Requests
Staff present: Cy Lootens and Tracee McKim
Public present: Jeff Schroeder
Jeff stated that he is here to present on behalf of Martha and Mary’s Panty and the Jerome
Interfaith Association. First he went over the request from Martha and Mary’s Pantry. The pantry
receives food from multiple locations. The paper he provided is just the food received from the
Idaho Food Bank. The pantry served over 5,000 individuals during 2025. That total comes to a
total of 22% of the county receiving food help. He also stated that Ridley’s, Winco, Walmart,
and Costco also donate food to the pantry. Another location that helps to donate to the
community is Chobani. He also helps to send the yogurt that he receives to the Jerome School
District, Shoshone School District, and other rural pantries in the area. He wants to ask for the
continued support financially of the county for Martha and Mary’s Pantry.
He also presented on the Jerome Interfaith Association for their budget request. The association
helps to provide housing for many members of the county. There were 37 households that where
Monday, June 15, 2026
Page 4 of 7
assisted during the first five months of 2026. The assistance helped with housing issues for these
households. He feels that the donation received last year would be of great help.
Emergency Management Monthly Report
Staff present: Kirsten Hartley
Kirsten gave a report on the emergency management department. She received paperwork for the
State Homeland Security Program grant paperwork. She has provided that to the Board to sign.
The BRIC grant is now available and there is no date on how long it will be open. This could
help with creating procedures and items that can help with response to emergency disasters.
There have been new policies regarding grants from FEMA, regarding the paying of funds to
foreign nationals. She has also brought a copy of the paperwork for this to be signed and she can
send back to the appropriate place. The paperwork is meant to align with the ruling from FEMA
regarding no funds going to foreign nationals. The Board agreed to sign the paperwork regarding
the new ruling from FEMA.
She has been working on a hazmat incident tabletop exercise that she wants to go through with
the Board before she presents it at her training meeting. She has also been working with the state
to help create forms to be filled out during these events. She went through the presentation with
the Board and discussed that if the exercise is successful that the meetings be moved to quarterly
instead of bi-monthly. She met with the Idaho Department of Lands regarding plans to protect
the county from wildfires. She also brought papers to sign for these plans and is asking for the
Board to approve and sign off on those plans. She has been working with the sheriff’s office
regarding the potential relocation of the MILO range theater training system. Gary Taylor had
reached out to CSI to see if they would be able to take the machine and have it set up there and
available to all local agencies.
Kirsten reported on the newly adopted Ready, Set, Go! program. This is regarding the steps for
evacuation protocols in case of emergency. The steps discuss what needs to be done in case of an
emergency and how to prepare for evacuation if necessary. She also discussed a foundation
called I Love U Guys. The foundation helps with training individuals and groups on crisis
response practices. Another business called Safe Haven Defense reached out to Kirsten regarding
a demonstration of their ballistic resistant windows. She discussed if the Board would be
interested in having a demonstration done in the county.
Commissioner Crouch moved to sign the subrecipient certification of compliance with
foreign national vetting requirements. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion
passed with a unanimous vote.
Commissioner Crouch moved to adopt the community wildfire protection plan on behalf
of Jerome County. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed with a
unanimous vote.
Monday, June 15, 2026
Page 5 of 7
Intercompany Transfer of Lease for Jerome Hangar
The Board received an email regarding the lease of a hangar at Jerome Airport. The name on the
hangar lease needed to be updated from a sub company to the parent company. The new lease
that was sent would update the company name.
Commissioner Crouch moved to sign the intercompany transfer of lease for an airport
hangar lease from ADS Logistics LLC to Higley Enterprises LLC and that takes the lien
off the building. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a
unanimous vote.
Old Business
The Board discussed the appointing of Bruce Balthrope to the Snake River Canyon Parks board.
The Board stated that they like his qualifications. There was a discussion of how Bruce could
help with different construction matters that Bill discussed needing help with.
Commissioner Howell moved to appoint Bruce Balthrope to the Snake River Canyon
Parks board with good qualifications and consideration of Southern Idaho Offroad
Association. Seconded by Commissioner Crouch. The motion passed with a unanimous
vote.
Notes: The Board was able to find the application for Bruce Balthrope to be able to
review his qualifications for the Snake River Canyon Parks board.
Eden/Hazelton American Legion Budget Request
Staff present: Ryan Treanor and Cy Lootens
Ryan stated that Jason Wethern was unable to attend in person to present the budget request for
the Eden and Hazelton American Legion Hall. Ryan stated further that Jason had sent an email to
discuss the budget request as well as the projects that have been worked on over the past year.
Ryan read the following email:
“Last year, American Legion Post 82 participated in several American Legion national, state, and
district level events.
We place crosses and flags on the graves of veterans located at the Hazelton Cemetery and the
Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery. We also put up flag poles and large American flags at the
Hazelton Cemetery. We do this every Memorial Day.
Post 82 has been instrumental in the fundraising and planning for the war memorial being
constructed at the Eden City Park. The dedication for the war memorial is scheduled for June
27th.
Post 82 is always available to help local veterans in need. This can range from providing
information, rides to appointments, or even cash depending on the need.
Future projects we have include replacing the roof on the Legion Hall. Improving the parking lot
of the Legion Hall. The lighting inside the Legion Hall needs an upgrade. Unfortunately, a
Monday, June 15, 2026
Page 6 of 7
lighting upgrade will require new, up to code, wiring be installed as well. We also have some
masonry repairs that need to be accomplished.
We are still raising funds to install a scoreboard at the Hazelton City Park, a request and fund
started by Jay Douglas before his passing.
Any funds provided to Post 82 will be used for supporting local veterans and improvements /
repairs to our Legion Hall.”
Sign and Approve Claims
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the claims as presented by staff. Seconded by
Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
To see an image of the report please see page 7 of the minutes.
Employee Paid Time Off Payout Requests
Commissioner Howell moved to approve the PTO payouts as presented. Seconded by
Commissioner Crouch. 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
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1,097.60/$ 1,097.60
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302.38
ELECTIONS
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| 302.38 | $
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