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minutes meeting date 2026-10-05 · fetched 2026-10-18 · 29706 characters · official file · plain text
BOCC Oct 5 2026 Regular Meeting FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES October 5, 2026 Present for the meeting were: Commissioners Blair Dance, Rick Hill, and Mark Chandler Also attended by: Clerk Meredith Mattingly, Deputy Clerk Kim Fletcher, Attorney Blake Hall, Treasurer Lori Beard, Assessor Carol Blanchard, Sheriff Bart Quayle, Planning and Building Administrator Tom Cluff, Parks and Recreation Director Greg Grant, Juvenile Probation Supervisor Darin Burrell, IT Administrator Josh Warnke, and IT Supervisor Chad Quayle. Parks and Rec Director Greg Grant offered the prayer. Planning and Building Administrator Tom Cluff led the pledge. Commissioner Dance called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. Commissioner Dance made a motion to amend the agenda for October 5, 2026. The 10:10 item needs to read “Deliberation and Decision for Caldera Flats” and add an action item, and the 10:20 item needs to read “Deliberation and Decision for Last Chance Playground” and add an action item. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill made a motion to accept the agenda for October 5, 2026 as amended. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Parks and Recreation Director Greg Grant reported we had our first annual Golf Course Maintenance Tournament that raised about $9000. Year-to-date, there have been about 11,000 rounds of golf played at the course, and our current revenue is $181,000. We’re just short of $6000 less than last year. He has been able to meet with Pacific Order to discuss the future access site at the Ashton Reservoir. They are going through their relicensing, which is an opportunity for us to look to the future. They are willing to help us fix things up and expand parking. We have had a post open at Frome Park, which we have kept open. There is a couple interested in filling it next year. He looks forward to helping them with that application and feels they would be a great addition to help with the campground next year. Terry was able to attend Tucker Grooming Training Workshop back in August and came back with some great information. He was also able to bring back some discounted parts because he was there. Moving towards completion on our Waterways Access Proposal. A survey is scheduled to be sent out this week. He is working through some things with Fish and Game, and we may have to renegotiate some things with them about how we maintain some of our sites. Probation Supervisor Darin Burrell reported both the Adult and Juvenile caseloads are busy. Dayanna has completed her on-the-job training for the Juvenile Certification and is certified on the Adult level as well. They are just waiting on POST to give their final approval. In the spring, the case management portion of Odyssey will no longer be supported by Tyler Tech so we will need to figure out another way to go. Courts are already helping them look for other options. Last week, Elevate Academy came up from Idaho Falls and went through the 5C building and get some behind the scenes exposure. Kent received a statewide recognition for District 7 as a Juvenile Justice Employee of the Year to recognize his professionalism, dedication, and respect for his peers. Sheriff Bart Quayle reported that since last month, dispatch has logged 1835 incidents, which resulted in 87 cases that required investigation, 36 arrests, and they responded to 2 accidents. We currently have 29 inmates in house and 2 in Madison. They have taken 63 911 calls, made 134 business checks, checked about 244 subdivisions or other areas that requested extra patrol, and served about 80 civil processes. They routinely check the schools; the students are on harvest break right now. Traffic complaints are still high, they made 749 traffic stops in the last month. He continues to participate on the ICJC Coroner’s Subcommittee. They met earlier in September and then again at IAC. He attended the First Step Vision Conference to discuss LMR versus Cellular service and how it could improve Fremont County. They worked on getting the FY2027 budget finalized and he appreciates everyone’s role and perspective, as well as his staff’s patience. IAC was good; he serves on 2 steering committees there, and it is always informational. He also attended the ISA portion of the conference to prepare for the upcoming legislative session. He had 2 deputies that were injured on duty last month. 2 deputies are at POST. They are working on mandated trainings for this training cycle. Continuing to work with outside agencies working on high risk situations. Our new boat is coming this month. They are in the process of collecting state bids for new vehicles for this fiscal year. The dishwasher in the jail is a problem; in the building process we opted to invest in the upgraded machine for $35,000, but since we’ve gotten it, it has been serviced 3 times. The most recent quote is $4500 to fix it, again. The problem we have if its not working properly is we could lose our certification with Public Health. There is a comparable machine at the 5C building they would be interested in replacing it with if it would be possible. The Targhee Women’s Club has reached out to him, they are interested in installing permanent signage for traffic safety on some roads in Island Park. These would be donated signs, and he feels it would be a benefit to the County. IT Administrator Josh Warnke reported they have been busy with several projects. This spring they purchased a new storage system and the migration went well. They just finished upgrading our servers’ operating systems to a new version of Windows. The Court has fully transitioned to the State system. Last week, they moved the connection at Last Chance into the new facility. The Annex North and Extension Buildings; the wiring is almost done. Carol has been talking with ITD; if we move the DMV, we need to move their network connection as well. He will need to talk to the Extension office about how they would like their phones moved into their new offices. The go-live for Clariti software for P&Z is coming up soon, but he doesn’t have an exact date yet. It should be within the next couple of weeks. After it is live, they will do their data conversion; the testing has gone well so he anticipates everything going well. This will affect the Assessors and Treasurers. He hasn’t heard anything yet about the Harris situation for Financial. The NextGen 911 Project, we have the equipment and will start doing initial testing this week, but we are still waiting on Blackfoot, because the Sheriff’s phone system will also be being replaced and will need to be integrated with them. Our phone system will also be replaced soon. Blackfoot has the equipment ordered, it is about 5 weeks out. They will try to do that replacement on a Friday when it will hopefully be least disruptive. The last project is the property system for Carol that they will be starting soon as well. Treasurer Lori Beard reported that when she was at Treasurer’s Conference, Owyhee County said the Financial software for Harris isn’t ready yet so we won’t see anything until January. She missed our August meeting because she was at the Treasurer’s Conference with Stacee, and it was a great learning experience. It was good to talk to other counties who are using Aumentum and know she can call them for help if she needs to. Dr. Jeremy Graves presented multi-generations and working together and how to be a great team. There was also a discussion about the State of Florida where they are trying to do some amendments to the Homeowner’s Exemption and how that would be a tax shift. Florida did say that services won’t disappear, but they would be rationed because they will be generating less revenue from property taxes. She attended the IAC conference in Boise in September. She felt it was a lot of great education and things to think about. She sits on the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and the Tax and Revenue Committee. She was able to do the tour of the Idaho State Archives. That is a great resource and they talked about the Downwinders getting information from them. In September, we collected $48,199.07 in taxes, so we have a remainder of about $715,000 left to collect. We have 1 warrant of distraint, but she was told they paid this morning, so we won’t have to have that sale. She appreciates the Employee Appreciation party that was held last week, and is happy we had as many turn out as we did. Assessor Carol Blanchard reported she also attended the IAC Conference in September, and appreciates the opportunity to be able to go and participate with other elected officials. She also sits on the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and the Tax and Revenue Committee. It’s interesting the things they have been trying for many years to bring forward that they believe would be helpful, but they can’t seem to get them passed. Some of her staff has been attending continuing education classes. Last week it was a deed and property law calls, this week is an appraisal class. Deeds have been busy. The appraisers have been busy out in the field. This is the 5th year of our 5-year reappraisal cycle with the State to make sure we are in compliance. She is hopeful to get the DMV moved into the North Annex, she just needs to get a date finalized with ITD for that move. She appreciates the approval for the new cama and tax software and looks forward to the transition. She knows it will be difficult but she has a good team. Noxious Weed Supervisor Bryce Fowler sent his report via email. They are over booked and under staffed right now so he is out in the field trying to get Island Park finished up this week before the weather changes next week. For our update we have our West End Spray Day next Wednesday, October 14th and we will also be starting ground sterilant next week as well. So, we are moving forward the best we can. Clerk Meredith Mattingly reported she has been working with Gallagher to make sure everything is in line for our insurance renewal. We had a department head and elected officials meeting to get together and have some good communication. We discussed the budget, and had a discussion about how the Clerk, Treasurer, and Assessor work together to help the County move forward. She attended the IAC meetings in Boise. She enjoyed meeting with the Clerk’s group to discuss certain concerns they have, as well as things to be aware of. She enjoyed roundtable with counties of similar population size and finds the information they share very helpful. She has been busy with the end of fiscal year and beginning of the new fiscal year. She hopes to get FY2027 budget packets this week and encouraged department heads to watch for those. We had our employee appreciation party last week. We had a pretty good turn out even if it wasn’t a lot, and there were a lot of people she hasn’t met before and everyone had a good time. Her office is getting ready for the upcoming election on November 3rd, so Bonita and the rest of her clerks are very busy. Commissioner Hill reported he had several meetings with CORE last month. They have started demolition and construction on the new security entrance; there were some complications, but they should be here today to do the footings. He did reiterate to them that we would need access through that entry during the Election to move equipment. The Fair Board had a couple of meetings to go over this years’ procedures and go over ideas for next year. He attended the IAC Conference in Boise and thought they were very good this year. Eastern Idaho Solid Waste District had 2 meetings. They are finally running under their own budget. We are still working on the Annex North and the Extension Office buildings. The drop ceiling will be installed at the North Annex this week and the electrician has some finishing to do in both buildings. He attended the Employee Appreciation party and it was fun. We had a good turnout and he appreciates everyone that helped put it together. Commissioner Chandler reported he’s been working with Greg Grant on some projects around the County. He went to the Golf Course Maintenance Tournament. He is grateful our valley made it through the drought. He’s been working with Clerk Mattingly to try to collect some 5C debts. He attended the IAC meetings in Boise; they are going to put together an IAC Commissioners training because there is so much turnover. He is still working on trying to get an invasive species check station in Ashton. He attended the Employee Appreciation party, and thanked those that put it together. It was good to meet so many of our employees. Commissioner Dance reported he also attended the IAC Conference. He met with the State Coroners Office and discussed the 5C building. High Country RC&D had a meeting and discussed their budget. He didn’t attend, but has heard nothing but high remarks for Employee Appreciation party. He thanked our employees for their hard work and dedication to the county and our constituents. Chief Deputy Clerk Debbie Biorn and Payroll Clerk TaGenn Armstrong RE: Resolutions for Destruction of Records – action item Ms. Biorn presented 2 resolutions for the destruction of records currently being maintained by the Fremont County Clerk’s office and the Fremont County Social Services. Commissioner Hill made a motion to adopt Resolution 2027-01 ordering the destruction of records maintained by the Fremont County Clerk’s Office. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to adopt Resolution 2027-02 authorizing the destruction of records maintained by the Fremont County Social Services Department. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioners RE: Deliberation and Discussion of Caldera Flats Motion for Reconsideration #25-060 – action item Commissioners discussed the Caldera Flats motion for reconsideration, file #25-060. Commissioners Dance stated we have 3 main requests for reconsideration. The first request is from Nelson Ishiama, the second is from Mr. Sella representing the Island Park Volunteer Fire Department, and the third is from a group we’ll refer to as the Stecklein Request. Commissioner Chandler feels Mr. Ishiama isn’t directly affected by this property, but more indirectly affected. His property isn’t adjacent to this proposed subdivision. He doesn’t feel this complaint stands. Commissioner Dance feels Mr. Sella may have the same issue. Commissioner Chandler appreciates Mr. Sella’s comments, but his complaint would apply to every building permit in Island Park. Commissioner Hill feels the Stecklein Request may have standing. They are questioning the open space. In our interpretation about the open space, we used the 4 step process to identify it. They questioned some missed statements in the record that he feels may have just been misspelling. They questioned North Fremont Fire Department making a statement, but the statement we had was by Keith Richey, our Emergency Management Coordinator. They wonder if we should have a ban on development in Island Park, and criticize the hydro report. He feels the hydro requirements were met. He doesn’t feel the issues raised in this request justify a denial. Commissioner Dance stated one of the Stecklein arguments about open space is that the open space has to be centralized to one location and cannot be broken up between multiple lots. Commissioner Chandler stated there really isn’t a requirement set for lot size. Commissioner Dance confirmed, but there is a percentage set for open space. Commissioner Hill felt like through their delineation, the lots and open space were plainly identified. The building envelopes were identified. Commissioner Chandler agreed. Commissioner Dance stated that Stecklein’s argument is that the open space is divided among all of the lots. It needs to be centralized to one lot and deeded for no further development. Commissioner Hill stated the open space plan as well as the covenants for the HOA were part of the record when the appeal was heard by the County Commissioners. He felt it was pretty plain. Commissioner Chandler feels a lot of these concerns will be addressed in their conditional use permit as well if they ever get to that point. Commissioner Hill made a motion to deny the request for reconsideration for Caldera Flats and asked Council to prepare Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law and Decision for file number #25-060. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioners RE: Deliberation and Discussion of Last Chance Playground Motion for Reconsideration #26-012 – action item Commissioners discussed the Last Chance Playground motion for reconsideration, file #26-012. Commissioner Dance stated some of the concerns that were brought up were that there wasn’t enough review about the potential impact of public services, there wasn’t a proper analyzation about whether or not the application fit within the comprehensive plan, and a question about whether or not there was adequate access. His understanding is that these concerns would be more applicable to when they apply for a permit, and not applicable to a request for a zone change. Commissioner Hill stated that during our hearing, our Road and Bridge stated the updates to the road would be designed to County specifications. We also heard from Keith Richey that the emergency service and fire concerns were not an issue. Commissioner Dance recalls this as being correct, but these items still aren’t applicable to the rezone request, but for the permit request. It was brought out in that hearing that the rezone was perceived to be the original intent of the developers of our Comprehensive Plan, that eventually it would become zoned to what this request was for. Commissioner Hill agreed, the rezone was compliant with our Comprehensive Plan. Further on, when they get a final plat, these issues will be addressed. Commissioner Chandler also agreed, the change is consistent with the Preferred Land Use Map. Commissioner Dance stated their decision to change the zone doesn’t give approval for anyone to build anything. It only changes the zone, and is in line with our Comprehensive Plan. He feels we should deny the request for reconsideration on those grounds alone. These concerns that have been brought up have nothing to do with a zone change. Commissioner Dance made a motion to deny the request for reconsideration for the Last Chance Playground and request Mr. Hall to prepare Findings of Facts Conclusions of Law and Decision for file #26-012. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Extension Tom Jacobsen RE: Standard Extension Agreement – action item Ms. Erika O’Shea presented the annual agreement for the University of Idaho Extension Program. Commissioner Dance made a motion to approve the Cooperative Agreement for University of Idaho Extension Programs between the University of Idaho and Fremont County. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Ms. O’Shea stated it’s National 4H week, so everyone should wear green the rest of the week. Enrollment for the new 4H year opened on October 1st. They will be doing winter cake decorating. We had 2 attended State Shooting Sports in Moscow and Lewiston. Shaylee Anderson took 2nd overall and Sam Mattingly took 1st in air pistol. They will get to go to nationals. She is in charge of the Know Your Government group and they will be going to Boise in February, and registration opens December 1st for 8th-10th graders. Commissioners RE: Rogers Road Validation Deliberation and Decision – action item Commissioners discussed the Rogers request to validate a portion E 500 N. Commissioner Chandler stated one of the concerns brought up in the meeting was that there was a property that would be landlocked if this road wasn’t validated, but from what he could see, every property would be able to be accessed from a different road. Commissioner Hill stated the claim was that the Wickham property would be landlocked, but their property can be accessed from the east on Hog Hollow Road. Commissioner Dance stated at some point there was money invested in the road by the County for its maintenance, which was proven by a former county employee. Commissioner Hill agreed, it was verified we had maintained the road. He feels the question is whether or not it is in the public’s best interest to keep it as a County road or if it should be vacated. Mr. Hall stated he wasn’t here for that hearing, but there are 4 things to consider to determine whether or not it is a County road. Commissioner Chandler states there is no denying at one point it was a public road, but it doesn’t access any public land. Commissioner Hill stated it hasn’t been maintained for a while. In his notes, Blair Jones stated there was work done in the early 2000’s, but he doesn’t know if any work has been done since then. Mr. Hall stated the Commissioners just need to determine if it is in the public’s best interest to keep the road public. Commissioner Hill stated it’s a half mile of road that only really accesses the Worrell’s property and the Roger’s property. Commissioner Dance asked about the continuation of the road that goes south and connects to Hog Hollow. Would maintenance or access to this road be necessary for the access of that portion of the road? Commissioner Hill stated that portion of the road isn’t part of this issue. Commissioner Chandler understands what Commissioner Dance is asking, but doesn’t have an answer to his question in regards for its future use. He noted Mr. Rogers’ offer to provide material for the maintenance of the road, however, the County already can’t afford to fix what we have now. Commissioner Hill stated that one of the property owners wants the road to remain open, but the other doesn’t. Mr. Hall stated the things to consider is if it was open 5 years to the public, maintained by the county, is it in the public interest to keep it open to the public, and is it listed on the official county road map. Commissioner Dance asked Planning and Building Administrator Tom Cluff if the road is currently listed or shown on the Official Fremont County Road Map. Mr. Cluff stated it is not. Mr. Hall stated in this case it has been shown there was some county maintenance done on the road, and that it was available to the public at one point for about 5 years. It’s not on the official County road map. It really comes down to the Commissioners making a determination whether or not it’s in the public interest for this road to be a County road. Commissioner Dance asked what is at the east end of the road. Mr. Cluff stated it is private property. Commissioner Chandler doesn’t see reason to put anymore county funds into that stretch of road. Commissioner Hill agrees. It doesn’t serve the public interest to keep it open. One property owner wants it, the other doesn’t. We’re already struggling to maintain the roads we do maintain, and this road doesn’t serve anyone else in the county. Commissioner Hill made a motion to deny the road validation for application #24-103 for the road validation on E 500 N and N 3600 E, and ask Mr. Hall to prepare findings of facts, conclusion of law and decision. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Dance expressed concern that there had been maintenance work done on the road at one time, even though the road doesn’t exist on the county road map. St. Anthony Senior Citizens Director Kathy Sharp, President Dennis Marsh RE: Discuss Alternative Meeting Locations – action item Ms. Sharp and Mr. Marsh discussed finding a new location for the Senior Citizens group to meet. Their budget has been in the red for several years. Their rent with the city has just gone up from $10 per year to $100 per month and will start in November. Ms. Sharp discussed their expenses, and where they get some of their funding from and how it is spent. Mr. Harold Miller feels differently. He feels that moving to another facility wouldn’t really help their situation and that they have a good deal with the city, even with the cost increase. The city building works well for them, and wherever they go, they would still have financial issues. They really just need to figure out a way to come up with more money to help balance their budget. Mr. Hall stated because the agenda item is listed differently, this may need to be brought up again in another meeting as a budget item. Another issue is that the county budget for this year has already been set. Commissioner Hill stated the county really doesn’t have another building available for them to use. They have a great facility with the City. The facility in Ashton does well for them, but there are always maintenance issues they are dealing with that this group doesn’t. Commissioner Dance understands budget constraints and frustrations, and doesn’t want to make them leave empty handed, but it is another issue we can’t discuss today under this line item. They thanked the Commissioners for their consideration. Sewer John Simms RE: Pickup Truck Approval – action item Mr. Simms presented his bids for a new work truck for the Sewer, including a bid from St. Anthony motors in the amount of $48,521 for a comparable GMC truck. Most of their Silverados were spoken for. His previous bids included: 2 from Taylor Chevrolet in Rexburg - $46,225.00, $48,286.00 1 from Dave Smith Motors in Idaho Falls - $57,987.40 1 from a dealer in Fruitland - $49,939.00. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 from Taylor Chevrolet in Rexburg in the amount of $46,225.00 for the Sewer Department. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Dance made a motion to go into executive session pursuant to IC 74-206(1)(b) To consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student; at 1:01 p.m. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with Commissioner Dance voting “Aye”, Commissioner Hill voting “Aye”, and Commissioner Chandler voting “Aye”. Commissioner Dance declared the meeting open at 1:40 p.m. Miscellaneous Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve the claims for October 5, 2026 as presented. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the minutes from August 28, 2026 as presented. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Clerk Mattingly presented a contract with UNUM to continue our short term and long term disability insurance. Commissioner Dance made a motion to continue our contract with UNUM for our group short and long term disability insurance to avoid any increases for this coming year. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill made a motion to amend and approve the Junior College Application for the College of Eastern Idaho Fall 2026-Spring 2027 academic year for Kysaac Thueson, and to the College of Southern Idaho Fall 2026-Spring 2027 academic year for Traven Lopez. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the 2026-2027 Retail Alcoholic Beverage License for: #46 Elk Creek Station #47 The Corner Bar Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Clerk Mattingly presented Resolution 2027-03 to move excess funds into the sewer system capital from Last Chance LID and the Last Chance LID line extension LID. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to adopt Resolution 2027-03 for the purpose of moving excess funds into the Sewer System Capital from Last Chance LID and Last Chance Line Extension LID in the amounts of $618.09 and $114.50. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioners reviewed Pay App #21 for the Last Chance WWTP in the amount of $698,756.80 Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve Pay App #21 for the Last Chance WWTP in the amount of $698,756.80, and authorized Chairman Dance to sign the reimbursement paperwork when we receive it. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 1:57 p.m. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. _________________________________ Blair Dance, Chairman Fremont County Commissioner Attest: _____________________________ Meredith Mattingly, Clerk HISTORY Recorded by Min. 614920 Regular Commissioner Meeting 10-05-2026 on 10/13/2026
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