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COMMISSIONER MEETING OF May 11, 2026
The Caribou County Commissioners met in regular session on May 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Those in
attendance were:
Mark Mathews, Commissioner Chair Angie Mendenhall, Treasurer
Bryce Somsen, Commissioner Aaron Cook
Marty McCullough, Commissioner Adam Mabey, Sheriff
Jill Stoor, Clerk Rebecca Fryar, SSHS, FCCLA
Doug Wood, Prosecutor Sierra Muir
Sharlene Simons, Deputy Clerk Sarah Fryar
Kevin McLain, Road & Bridge Jake Poulsen, Keller Associates
Eric Hobson, Public Safety Fiona Katrine Benson, Oquirrh Dance
Rowdy Larkins, Maint. & Building Brandon Hall, The Idaho Enterprise
Helen Barker, Parks & Recreation/P&Z
The meeting opened with Bryce Somsen leading the pledge of allegiance and prayer.
Kevin McLain, Road & Bridge:
Kevin talked to Hal and the ball field over at the Freedom Park will be having ball games all summer and Kevin was
asked to take the roller over to help them smooth it out. The Board agreed to help them out.
The Fire Department talked to Kevin about one of the snow plows that was abandoned about a year ago. Eric would
like the International snow plow (Goliath) that is a 4-wheel drive and would like to use it for water storage in Grace.
He said he is ok with just giving it to the Fire Department just to get it off of his books. Eric mentioned they will put a
tank on it. This would help get Grace certified.
Kevin went to the Road Supervisor District 5 meeting a couple of weeks ago and talked about different things in right-
of-way’s like the culverts, approaches and such. Kevin shared that Caribou is the only county in the 5 County District
that provides culverts and will probably continue to do so. The county provides the first one and then they have to
buy any additional culverts. Kevin stated that he has already expended his culvert budget for the year. The other
topic at that meeting was about the new construction that is not adjacent to a county road for a private lane and that
it needs to meet county specs like the grade of not more that 10% and 16 feet wide. They defer any road signs off of
the county road back to the fire district because that is out of Kevin's jurisdiction and Eric does have a say. Kevin
mentioned that he is ok helping but doesn’t want to overstep his boundaries.
He shared that they are still putting chloride out on roads and have Grace done and should finish up in Bancroft
tomorrow and then move to Soda and then slowly move towards Lanes Creek, Diamond Creek and out North.
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Candy Hatch has called Kevin several times and is concerned about the bridge being out and with Memorial Day
coming up she is wanting more road signs about the road being closed. She asked about adding detour signs so
people won't have to back track to get where they need to go. The board decided that they would not provide
additional signage.
After Wednesday all roads out North have been graded at least once except for the Timber Creek Road through Wells
Canyon.
Kevin needs to get ahold of the Forest Service about the Tin Cup Road on Bridge Creek. There is a berm on a corner
and Kevin will get with them to see what needs to be done there on their maintenance program. This is a safety
concem.
The Forest Service from the Pocatello Ranger District said they have a timber sale in the Toponce/Maggie Pebble
area. Last year they sent information about a few cattle guards needing to be widened out and he thought a couple
are ours but not all of them. He will try to accommodate.
Eric Hobson, Public Safety:
Eric spoke about the EMT's and shared that one person signed up to take the advanced EMT class. They started
last Monday. We will cover the cost of the class as well as their meals which is about $3,000. He said it is a good
investment for the county.
He spoke about the old F150 that Linda and Kia use. He said it is starting to run rough. They have had to replace
the cam phasers in it. It's a 2006 and has about 190,000 miles and he is looking at new bids to replace the truck
instead of putting another $5000 into it.
Eric addressed the fire season; there has been talk about burn bans. They will monitor conditions before they put a
date on it. He said they have had 3 small brush fires already and have been under an acre.
A couple of fire conferences are coming up. Bear Lake is doing one the first week of June and one in Idaho Falls and
he will have people attending those.
He spoke about the truck from Kevin. With the new station in Grace, they have talked to the Bureau on standards for
the rating and he has to have 5000 gallons of mobile water sitting in that station to get it rated. He is hoping that with
the truck from Kevin that they can put a poly tank on it.
Eric is trying to find another pump truck for the Grace station. Has reached out to the state to see about getting
another surplus one and the used market as well.
Commissioner Somsen made a motion to convene an executive session pursuant to I.C. 74-206 (f) at 9:40
a.m. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Commissioner Somsen voted aye; Commissioner
McCullough voted aye; Commissioner Mathews voted aye. The motion passed and the executive session
began.
Commissioner Somsen suggested ending the executive session at 9:51 a.m. No decisions were made.
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Rowdy Larkins, Courthouse Maintenance/Building Dept:
Rowdy talked about the elevator. He shared a quote to get it fixed of just under $22,000. Commissioner Mathews
asked what kind of guarantee we will have with this bid. Rowdy will have to look into this. Insurance was a discussion
and will they pay or can we insure it.
Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve the repair of the elevator in the Courthouse in the amount
of $21,706.70 from Schindler Elevator Corporation from Maintenance Repair. Commissioner McCullough
seconded the motion. Motion passed.
CAT came on site and measured the generator and talked with him and Perks Electric and they will send a bill for a
smaller generator. They are out of Pocatello and service the Sheriff's office and some of the mines as well.
Rowdy talked about the internet at the Event Center and that the Extension Office was paying $50 over at the old
office and now it is $250. He asked what portion does the Extension Office need to pay out of that bill. Jill suggested
to not split the bill so that the expenses of the event center can be tracked. It was decided to pay it out of the expenses
from the Event Center and move the money the Extension Office was paying over to the Event Center; it is all
budgeted as part of current expense.
He will get with Jake Poulsen about the concrete at the Event Center.
Rowdy will speak with the Kevin and the Fair Board about the parking lot that has been discussed and get their
thoughts.
Angie Mendenhall, Treasurer:
Angie met last week with Idaho Central Credit Union about county credit cards. She would like to change to Idaho
Central Credit Union for the cards. She needs approval from the Board for Angie to make application under the
County's name. The Board was in approval of this request. She asked Jill about current limits and Jill stated it is
$20,000 for each card. Idaho Central suggested to apply for $150,000 - $200,000. What credit limit those need to
be would be administrators by Angie, Jill, Melanie and Tisha. Angie shared that if departments don’t turn in receipts
to be paid she will shut their cards off. She mentioned that she will talk to the Sheriff's office as about changing as
well. She will get the Clerk’s Office and Treasurer's office rolling out first to get acquainted with how to run it and then
add the other departments when they are comfortable about the process.
Commissioner Somsen made a motion to transfer the credit card account from Zions and US Bank to Idaho
Central Credit Union with a total cap of $300,000. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion
passed.
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Page 3
Helen Barker, Parks and Recreation:
Helen brought the agreement from Ridgetop Construction from Shane Davis as he is taking over for Craig Davis.
Tthe only change to the agreement is an increase of $600 due to fuel and solid waste. This is for the porta potties,
cleaning all the bathrooms, putting the porta potties out as well for the year. This will be a total of $37,200 for the
year which is $1550 a week.
Commissioner Somsen made a motion to enter into a contract with Ridgetop Construction LLC for the service
agreements for the parks for a total amount of $1550. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
Last week she and Rowdy built the picnic tables. They will be chained together until placed and she shared that it
will be a nice addition to the parks. The refurbished tables will go to the Succor Trap and possibly Second Bridge.
Commissioner Mathews shared that the water issue has not been resolved yet. He also brought up the contract for
the lawn mowing of $700 a week and is it worth that amount. It was agreed to keep them for this year and re-evaluate
this price for next year.
Rebecca Fryar, SSHS, FCCLA:
Sierra Muir is a student from Soda Springs High School Speech and Debate program. She has qualified for the
National Tournament in Richmond, Virginia on June 12-22 and is the only member attending from SSHS. She is
looking for sponsors to help her get there. She shared the cost breakdown and those she has contacted for help.
Commissioner McCullough made a motion to donate $500 to SSHS Speech and Debate Team coming from
PILT. Commissioner Somsen seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Sarah Fryar spoke on behalf of SSHS, FCCLA. They are asking for a sponsorship to attend the national competition
this summer, July 5-11 in Washington DC. There are 6 students attending as well as 3 chaperones. The cost per
person is $2500. She shared some of their fund raising events and some of those businesses they have contacted
for sponsorships.
Commissioner Somsen made a motion to donate $3000 to SSHS, FCCLA to go to Washington DC. from PILT.
Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Jake Poulsen, Keller Associates:
Jake talked about a few options for funding for the bridge in Chesterfield. There needs to be more leg work.
Commissioner Mathews mentioned they really don’t have time to wait on this and to do an emergency fix. Jake said
they could talk to the Army Corp and Commissioner Somsen mentioned to fix this temporarily and wait for some
funding to fix it permanently. After much discussion about temporary fixes, Jake will coordinate with LHTAC, the
Army Corp, and Kevin and see what will work and if there is any funding.
Commissioner McCullough asked about concrete as the permanent fix with a spill way underneath it.
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Jake then spoke concerning the Transportation Plan - the county does have one from 2003. These are usually
update every 5 years. Jake was looking for clarification as to what the Board wants to have included for the $30,000.
A couple of options are: Dial back with the amount of work that could be included in that update or GIS could supply
information. Look at what roads are identified in the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) from 23 years ago and maybe
update those. Kevin shared that the GIS does have information on the road that should be more current but no
pavement conditions would be included on that. There are 700 miles of roads in the county. Jake applied for an
update for $30,000. Capital improvement plan would help with the budgeting as well as future project planning.
Kevin mentioned doing this for the future grants.
Jake will put together a scope of work using the $30,000.
Jill asked about the concrete at the Event Center and Jake mentioned he is going to Grace today.
Fiona Benson, Oquirrh Dance Company:
Fiona Katrine Benson, Associate Director from Oquirrh West Project who operates across Utah and Idaho. On August
15t" she will be producing 4 performances of an immersive dance theater show at Soda Springs Kelly Park. Soda
Springs will be donating $500, mosquito abatement, and toilets. She will be auditioning students from the ages of 6
- 18 year old from Soda Springs, Grace, Bancroft and will possibly be advertising in Lava, Pocatello, and Preston.
She has sent letters out to businesses in the area. She is requesting $5000 today. Commissioner Somsen suggested
she speak with Bayer, Itafos, Simplot, and possibly Rocky Mountain Power.
Commissioner Somsen made a motion to offer a donation of $2000 to the Alice in Wonderland project,
Oquirrh West Project to come out of PILT. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Doug Wood, Prosecutor:
Doug mentioned that the task case research system that he has been using has been purchased by Cleo and they
want to incorporate a case management bundle package and is not sure yet of the cost but mentioned it will be above
and beyond what the current system is costing. He is hoping it still falls within what has been allocated in his budget
for software. He asked for permission to go that route if it is within his budget. The Board agreed to this.
Doug shared that he will have a couple of executive sessions later today in conjunction with Jill
Jill Stoor, Clerk
Commissioner Somsen made a motion to convene an executive session pursuant to I.C. 74-206 (b) & (f) at
11:20 a.m. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Commissioner Somsen voted aye;
Commissioner McCullough voted aye; Commissioner Mathews voted aye. The motion passed and the
executive session began.
Commissioner Somsen suggested ending the executive session at 11:40 a.m.
Jill asked Sheriff to come and talked about the proposed Military Leave policy which should comply with USERRA
(Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act). Highlights are county would cover shifts and it
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would be for 8 hours and active duty, the county would pay insurance benefits other than their portions. Jill talked to
one county about wages and also that county was covering employee portion. This would replace what is in the
county policy now. Doug thought this should be an ordinance. Jill said she could get this ready for a public hearing.
e Grumpy Guys Pizza brought in liquor license application and it is needing approved.
e Commissioner McCullough made a motion to accept and issue Grumpy Guys Pizza a liquor license for bottled
or canned beer. Commissioner Somsen seconded the motion. Motion passed.
e Andrea Gumm sent an email to offer the Commissioners a tour the current Simplot Smoky Canyon Mine and Dairy
for July 7" or 9%. If interested she would like to know which date. It would be the same tour on both dates.
Commissioner Mathews requested the 9. Doug mentioned he could go that day as well.
e Jill presented a Certificate of Residency to be approved.
e Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve the one Certificate of Residency for the student presented.
Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed.
e Mutual Aid Agreement is on the agenda for the 4-County meeting next month. There were just a few changes that
Eric suggested earlier.
e Idaho Unemployment Fund sent an update. Jill added that to the drive for the Board.
e Jill received a PRT bill today for $1750 for FY 2026 support. Jill asked if they are still coming to our area. Jill will see
if she can find out more information.
e Tri-County Snowmobile meets 2 times a year. There was talk about new by-laws in 2021 and the clerks do not have
them. Commissioner Somsen suggested to contact Brad Wilkes.
e Jill received paper work for Commissioner Somsen for the IACC Conference.
e Calendar:
Budget levy training tomorrow at Chubbuck City Hall at 8:00 am.
May 20% Crawfish boil
June 2-4 IACC Conference in Nampa.
Simplot tours on July 7* or 9th
e Budgets have been sent out to Department Heads and Officials and she has 2 back already. These need to be
brought in by the end of May so she can have it ready for the June budget meeting. Jill asked the board for an idea
for wages. She will work up wages as a 3% as a beginning point
e Commissioner McCullough asked for clarification about signing the timecards.
a
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Other:
e Discussion on the Pacific Corp. Commissioner McCullough asked them at their meeting earlier why they feel they
own the reservoir. They want to come and present what their legal analysis is. Doug wondered if the Attorney
General's Office should be involved and also see if TJ Budge can come to the meeting as well. They will try to get
on the meeting agenda on the 8" of June at the end of that day.
e Commissioner Somsen made a motion to amend and approve the amended agenda to add Angie Mendenhall,
Treasurer in Dwight Lloyds spot and add a discussion on Pacific Corp during Jill’s time. Commissioner
McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed.
e Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve the amended minutes of 04/27/2026 as presented, the
claims approval report in the amount of $284,889.57 for 05/07/2026 and the payroll claims in the amount of
$376,372.09 for 04/27/2026. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
e The meeting adjourned at 12:14 p.m. The Caribou County Board of Commissioners will meet again on May 26, 2026
at 9:00 a.m. for regular meeting.
Signed: Mark Mathews, Commissioner Chair Attested: Jill Stoor, Clerk
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