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minutes meeting date 2026-09-14 · fetched 2026-10-13 · 10594 characters · official file · plain text
REGULAR SESSION, SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
Commissioner Bolduc opened the meeting at 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Buhler, Commissioner Eames, Prosecutor Misseldine,
County Clerk Chad Hoeft and Chief Deputy Clerk Jackie Fuqua, were present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Buhler moved to go into executive session pursuant to IC§31-874 Indigent Matters. Commissioner Eames
seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Eames-Yes, Buhler-Yes, Bolduc-Yes. The Board recessed the executive session at 10:04
a.m.
Commissioner Eames moved to approve case number 26-9-5060 for cremation services by Farnsworth Funeral Home in the
amount of $1,000.00. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion carried.
HAGERMAN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT
Commissioner Eames made a motion to approve the City of Hagerman’s law enforcement agreement for $182,484.00 per
annum, payable $15,207 per month. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S STATEMENT OF CASH/OPERATION IN FUNDS/CERTIFICATION SPECIALS
Treasurer Sliman presented the statement of cash, operation in funds, as well as the 2026 tax roll certification of specials to the
Board. The specials include North Snake Ground Water, American Falls #1, Wendell City Delinquent Irrigation, Hagerman
Translator District and Landfill fees. Commissioner Eames made a motion to approve the August statement of cash, operation
in funds and the 2026 tax roll certification of specials. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion carried.
2026-2027 PATHOLOGY SERVICES AGREEMENT
Commissioner Eames made a motion to approve the 2026-2027 Pathology Services Agreement #32028. Commissioner Buhler
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Bolduc recessed the regular meeting and opened the Ambulance District meeting at 10:35 a.m.
AMBULANCE DISTRICT
Director Kepler stated that when the FY2027 budget was discussed there was miscommunication concerning the status of the
paramedics. County Clerk Chad Hoeft thought there were two part-time, but Kepler said they are full-time. It was decided to
adjust the budget to reflect the change in the salary line to be $179,383.00. Barbara Rivers will have the budget published in
this week’s paper and the Public Hearing set for Monday, September 28, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
Director Kepler gave an update on the fire deployment unit. He said they had one call for deployment, and it was out for 9
days. They have had numerous calls for paramedic units, but none have been available.
Director Kepler also stated they are looking into eligible grant money for vehicles and equipment. They would like to replace
the 2017 ambulance that has over 190,000 miles, and near-end life ventilators, monitors and other equipment.
Commissioner Bolduc adjourned the Ambulance District meeting and resumed the regular session at 10:58 a.m.
UPDATE ON FY2027 BUDGET
The Board discussed the need to transfer some funds around in the budget. Commissioner Eames made a motion to make
changes to the coroner’s salary line from $3,000 to $30,000 due to a typo, changing the Hagerman Police pay increase from
5% to 10% and eliminate the salaries budgeted in lines 01-20-403 & 01-20-405 of the Jail budget. Commissioner Buhler
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
CYNTHIA SCOTT- PLANNING & ZONING PURCHASE REQUEST
Planning & Zoning manager Cynthia Scott requested the Board allow her to purchase 2 licenses for the next level software for
their computer program called Blue Beam Review. The current level is outdated and will soon become obsolete. The next level
will allow counts and measuring, overlays on maps and drawings, mark ups and plan editing. Commissioner Eames made a
motion to approve the purchase of two licenses at $330.00 per license, totaling $660.00 per year. Commissioner Buhler
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
REQUEST FOR EXTENSION FOR L2 CERTIFICATION
County Clerk Chad Hoeft is requesting the Board allow an extension to certify the L2’s that are due on September 21, 2026.
Commissioner Eames made a motion to approve a one calendar week extension for September 28, 2026, to certify the L2’s.
Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion carried.
CLAIMS
Commissioner Eames moved to approve the August 2026 claims. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
General $318,015.91
Road and Bridge $766.12 Consolidated Elections $212.66
District Court $6,212.33
Fair $483,615.67
Public Health $29,304.84
Hagerman Police $1,848.60
Wendell Police $4,110.74 Jr. College $-0-
Landfill $-0- Revaluation $3,153.38
Veterans Memorial $6,750.00
Weeds $26,814.83 Waterways $597.56
Broadband $-0-
TOTAL $898,812.89
Ambulance District $17,410.25
HARRIS/COMPUTER ARTS AGREEMENT
Commissioner Buhler made a motion to approve the Harris/Computer Arts agreement for $25,025. Commissioner Eames
seconded the motion. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-9-14
Commissioner Eames made a motion to adopt Resolution 2026-9-14. Commissioner Buhler seconded the motion. Motion
carried. Roll call vote: Bolduc-Yes, Buhler-Yes, Eames-Yes. The resolution was adopted.
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A PUBLIC PROCESS TO DE\'ELOP A COMPREHENSIVE WATER
MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE EASTERN SNAKE PLAIN AQUIFER AND THE SNAKE RIVER SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) covers approximately 10,000 square miles in southem Idaho. storing
hundreds of millions of acre-feet of water, and is hydraulically connected to the Snake River at various places; and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated the ESPA as a Sole Source Aquifer, which,
alongside the surface waters of the Snake River system, serves as the primary source of clean drinking water for over 300,000
residents across southem Idaho, supplying municipal water systems, rural communities, and individual domestic wells; and
WHEREAS, the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) has designated the ESPA as a groundwater management area
pursuant to Idaho Code § 42-233b and has also issued a moratorium prohibiting new consumptive use water rights subject to
certain conditions; and
WHEREAS, the health and sustainability of the Magic Valley and Idaho state economies across all sectors-including
irrigated agriculture. dairy, food processing, aquaculture, manufacturing, hydropower generation, commerce, and tourism are
intrinsically linked to and entirely dependent upon the combined health and viability of both the aquifer and connected springs
and reach gains contributing to the Snake River system; and
WHEREAS, despite their critical importance, scientific data confirms that water levels within the ESPA and flows throughout
the Snake River system have experienced ongoing long-term declines due to shifting weather patterns, changing irrigation
practices, and increasing cumulative demands; and
WHEREAS, declining aquifer levels and reduced river flows directly threaten senior water rights, regional economic stability,
municipal water supplies, spring discharges, hydropower operations, river ecosystems, and long-term community resilience;
and
WHEREAS, effectively managing this vast, interconnected surface and groundwater resource requires coordinated planning,
long-term foresight, and collaborative cooperation across local, state, and federal entities: and
WHEREAS, a transparent, inclusive public process engaging local citizens, cities, agricultural producers, business leaders,
canal companies, irrigation districts, tribal entities, and other water stakeholders is essential to building an effective, enduring
strategy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Gooding County, Idaho:
1.
Recognition of Importance: The Board of County Commissioners of Gooding County recognizes the Eastern Snake Plain
Aquifer and the Snake River system as an interconnected, sole-source water resource critical to the health, safety, and economic
prosperity of our local community and the State of Idaho.
2.
Support for Public Process: The Board of County Commissioners of Gooding County fully supports the initiation and execution
of an open public process to engage stakeholders in gathering input and identifying sustainable, long-term aquifer and river
management solutions.
3.
Advocacy for a Joint Water Management Plan: The Board of County Commissioners of Gooding County urges local, state,
and federal officials and agencies to collaborate in developing and implementing a Water Management Plan to guide the long-
term stewardship, stabilization and governance of both the ESPA and the Snake River system.
4.
Distribution: Copies of this resolution shall be transmitted to the Governor, Idaho Department of Water Resources, Idaho Water
Resource Board, state legislative representatives, and relevant federal agency partners.
ADOPTED by the Gooding County Board of Commissioners at a duly noticed meeting held on the 14th day of September
2026.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
GOODING COUNTY, IDAHO
/s/Mark E. Bolduc_____________
Mark E. Bolduc, Commissioner
/s/Vern Eames______________
Vern Eames, Commissioner
/s/Ronald Buhler________________
Ronald Buhler, Commissioner
Attest_/s/ Chad Hoeft______
Chad Hoeft, Clerk
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Buhler moved to go into executive session pursuant to IC§74-206(f) Communicate with Legal Counsel.
Commissioner Eames seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Eames-Yes, Buhler-Yes, Bolduc-Yes. The Board recessed the
executive session at 11:40 a.m.
Commissioner Buhler moved to go into executive session pursuant to IC§74-206(a),(b) Consider Personnel Matters.
Commissioner Eames seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Eames-Yes, Buhler-Yes, Bolduc-Yes. The Board recessed the
executive session at 11:50 a.m.
MINUTES
Commissioner Buhler moved to approve August 31, 2026, minutes Commissioner Bolduc seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
It was discussed that there is only one application for the Planning & Zoning position.
There were no Broadband, Public Comments or Committee Meeting Reports.
Commissioner Bolduc adjourned the meeting at 11:59 a.m.
/s/Mark E. Bolduc ________________ /s/Vern Eames____________ /s/Ron Buhler______________
Mark E. Bolduc, Chairman Vern Eames, Commissioner Ronald Buhler, Commissioner
Attest: /s/ Chad Hoeft_____________
Chad Hoeft, Clerk
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