Jerome County | minutes | meeting 2026-05-12 | Commissioner Meeting
source: https://www.jeromecountyid.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05122026-1660

JEROME COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
PRESENT: Ben Crouch, Chairman
       Charles Howell, Vice Chairman
       Art Watkins, Commissioner
       Cy Lootens, County Clerk
Meeting convened at 10:00 am.
Executive Session Per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(a) – Consideration of Hiring an Employee
Andrea Gonzalez, Jesse Vallez, Carli Petruzelli were present
Candidate for an open position for the Adult Probation was present for a job interview
Commissioner Crouch moved to go into executive session per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(a) 
for hiring of an employee. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed with a
unanimous roll call vote.
Meeting went into executive session at 10:06am and returned at 10:26am
Overlook Project Update
Bill Bridges, Larry Hall, Kacie Buhler, Sharde McMillan, Mark Reyes were present
Bill updated the commissioners on things happening with the park. He stated that the annual 
cleanup day at the park is this Saturday. He invited the commissioners to attend. Also, July 8th 
will be an America 250 celebration at the overlook and will be the ribbon cutting event for the 
overlook itself. Bill also informed the commissioners of the park’s current budget. After the 
expenses of the overlook project and paying for concrete the park will still have approximately 
$30,000 left over from their Idaho Power grant. Bill stated that he is currently getting quotes for 
fencing around the canyon rim near the overlook. He will present them to the commissioners at a
later date.
Bill also wanted to speak to the commissioners about the process for permits and approval from 
P&Z for the overlook outbuildings. Bill submitted a written response to the board and P&Z 
related to a recent email from the P&Z department. He stated that P&Z is now asking for more

requirements than they did originally last year when he sat down with them to discuss the 
project. He would like to make sure everything is satisfactory so that the project can be 
completed. Sharde McMillan stated that Bill has submitted some required documents but 
because of the type of building they are placing down, and the requirements needing to be met 
because of what the building will be used for, the application is not completed. Specifically, she 
stated that they need to have a design professional like an engineer or architects’ approval of the 
plans and they need other requirements met like a concrete pad, or tie downs on the buildings as 
well as concrete steps to get in and out of the buildings. These are all requirements to meet 
international building code. 
Commissioner Howell suggested to Bill and Larry that they find an engineer to complete the 
required work. and see if someone is willing to donate their time to do it so that there is no cost 
to the park. Commissioner Howell said he will reach out to people and see if anyone is interested
or knows someone that might be able to donate their time to do the work. Larry and Kacie 
discussed future requirements and why the requirements have not been met yet. Commissioner 
Howell suggested that if they are not able to find someone willing to donate their time to review 
the project and submit the required documents to P&Z that the county might be willing to help 
pay some costs to hire someone. That would need to be approved at a future meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 11:12 pm.
________________________
______________________________
Cy Lootens, Clerk
A. Ben Crouch, Chairman
______________________________
Charles M. Howell, Commissioner
______________________________
Art Watkins, Commissioner