Madison County | minutes | meeting 2026-04-27 | Regular Meeting source: https://www.madisoncountyid.gov/Document center/Meeting Minutes/2026/April 27, 2026ab.pdf?t=202606091649550 1 | P a g e Abbreviated Minutes: Complete Set of Minutes Are on File in The Clerk’s Office Madison County Commissioner Meeting Minutes April 27, 2026 Attendees: Todd Smith, Commissioner Chairman Brent Mendenhall, Commissioner Dustin Parkinson, Commissioner Troy Evans, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kim Muir, County Clerk Karen Daniels, Deputy Clerk Lori Hicks, Sr. Accountant ACTION ITEMS This meeting was streamed electronically. Pledge of Allegiance: By all Invocation: Commissioner Mendenhall Calendar Discussion: Next Commission Meetings, Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Public Logic and Accuracy Test, May 5, 2026, 8:30 a.m. in the Clerk’s Office Waste District Open House and Ribbon Cutting, May 12, 2026, 11:00 a.m. Hospital Retreat, May 15, 2026, 8:00 a.m-3:00 p.m. Madison Memorial Intermountain Healthcare, new helicopter will arrive at noon on May 5th Discussion Items: Nomination for the Idaho Wool Growers Association: After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the nomination of Scott Rigby to the Idaho Wool Growers Association upon his acceptance. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Behavioral Health: Commissioner Mendenhall received a proposal from a mental health counselor. Do we want something available for our employees for PTSD or other mental health matters? Commissioners would like to pursue the matter through Grand Peaks and other outside agencies. They are considering letting the county employee committee weigh in on this more. Truck hauler littering issues to C&D site: Commissioner Parkinson received a call from Scott Rigby reporting trash blowing out of trucks hauling debris to the C&D site. Many of the trucks are tarped but not latched down properly. Commissioner Parkinson will work with Road & Bridge and Sonnie about getting a sign installed at the C&D site, and potentially along the roadway, to control the littering. Trucks will be inspected and ticketed as needed. 2 | P a g e Contracts/Documents: After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve Resolution #532, Drought Declaration. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Robert Kohler discussed with the Commissioners the need to better inform the public about registering controlled burns online. The registration process is free of charge and intended for information gathering only and not punitive if citizens fail to register. It was suggested that Sheriff Ball and Robert collaborate to develop messaging and use social media platforms to effectively communicate the importance of registration with a unified voice. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve closing documents for the School District property in the amount of $601,930.00 and authorize the Chairman to sign when prepared. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the Designation of Polling locations for the May 19, 2026, Primary Elections. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the Tenant Estoppel Certificate for driver’s license and registration showing that the building is being sold, but that the county will continue to lease facility. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the State/Local Agreement for construction of the West Side Frontage Road in the amount of $348,887.00 with ITD. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Routine Matters: After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the claims presented by the Clerk in the amount of $1,707,766.09. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the Commission meeting minutes for April 13, 2026. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Personnel Actions: After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the Personnel Actions (excluding Amanda Roderick’s, as her item had been approved earlier). Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the Certificate of Residency application vetted in the Clerk’s office for Kaleb Harris. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. 3 | P a g e Sheriff Ron Ball, Department Update: The Commissioners asked Sheriff Ball to explain how his department supports ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). • Sheriff Ball stated that his department has always maintained a close working relationship with ICE and will continue to support them. • He discussed the 287(g) program of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Specifically, it is used to delegate state and local law enforcement officers to perform specified immigration officer functions under ICE’s direction and oversight. • He noted that only 8 of Idaho’s 44 counties currently participate in the program. Sheriff Ball does not believe Madison County needs to join the program at this time because the additional training requirements would strain his department and he feels the department is already effectively performing the functions required by the program. Public Comment: No one present to comment. Award Presentation: Aspen Boice, Idaho Association of Counties Scholarship: Aspen Boice was recognized as the 2026 recipient of the Bob Mackenzie Memorial Scholarship. She was present for the presentation along with her parents, Shawn and Kandee Boice, who are both county employees. Planning & Zoning: Public Hearing: Right of Way Vacate Salem Townsite, Brian and Becky Eckman, David Harris, Christopher Smith, William Dalling, Melvin Eckman: Commissioner Smith made a motion to open a public hearing at 9:23 a.m. The hearing was properly noticed. No written comments were received. No conflicts were declared from the Commissioners. A roll call vote was taken as follows: Commissioner Smith-yes, Commissioner Mendenhall-yes, Commissioner Parkinson-yes. The applicants are requesting that the County vacate the road easement that was platted in the Salem Townsite, but never constructed as a road. The applicants propose a boundary line adjustment, where each adjacent landowner would take possession of a portion of the road easement that is currently between the lots, with the proposed property line following the existing fence line. The easement does not provide access to any other properties. Opposed: None. Neutral: None. In Favor: Brian and Becky Eckman were present and are in favor. After receiving no further public comment, the public comment portion was closed. 4 | P a g e After review and discussion, and in consideration of the application to vacate a platted yet not constructed road in the Salem area, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the application and vacate the county road easement and boundary line adjustment. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to amend the motion to include the applicant names: Brian and Becky Eckman, David Harris, Christopher Smith, William Dalling and the Melvin Eckman Estate. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. The public hearing was then closed. Findings of Fact: Zone Change AG/TAG to TAG Bron Leatham: The subject property is approximately 39.21 acres and currently has split zoning, with about 24 acres in the AG zone and about 15 acres in TAG zone. The application seeks to apply the TAG zone to the entire parcel. The parcel is adjacent to the River’s Edge Subdivision that also has TAG zoning. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve Findings of Fact for Zone Change AG/TAG to TAG for Bron Leatham. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Review and sign: Ordinance #523: After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve Ordinance #523, Zone Change AG/TAG to TAG for Bron Leatham. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Findings of Fact: Zone Change AG to RR 1.5 -Berkley & Carol Hatch: The application is to change the zoning from Agriculture to Rural Residential 1.5 on two lots that combine for 15.64 acres owned by Berkeley & Carol Hatch. All surrounding property is zoned Transitional Agriculture 2.0. With AG zoning, the parcel may not be further divided. With Rural Residential 1.5, it could be divided into as many as 10 lots. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve Findings of Fact for Zone Change AG to RR 1.5 for Berkley and Carol Hatch. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. The Commissioners discussed with Gary the possibility of bringing to the Planning and Zoning Board the pros and cons of blanket approval for all RR 1.5 zonings, versus the current process of reviewing and approving each application individually. Review and sign: Ordinance #524: After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve Ordinance #524, Zone Change AG to RR 1.5 for Berkley and Carol Hatch. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Findings of Fact: Zone Change TAG to RR1.5 Troy Hastings: 5 | P a g e The application is to change the zoning from Transitional Agriculture to Rural Residential 1.5 on approximately 30.07 acres owned by Teton Horizon Holdings. With current TAG zoning, the property could be divided into 15 lots. With the zone change, it could be divided into 20 lots. Land to the north, west, and south is zoned TAG. Land to the east is zoned Rural Residential 1.5. The parcel is adjacent to the newly platted Withers Estates Subdivision to the East, and Saddle Creek Subdivision to the south. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve Findings of Fact for Zone Change TAG to RR1.5 for Troy Hastings. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Review and sign: Ordinance #525: After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve Ordinance #525, Zone Change TAG to RR1.5 for Troy Hastings. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Jared Arnold, Flood50 update and discussion of Fly-Fishing Olympics: Jared provided updates to the Commissioners on the Flood50 commemoration planning. Commissioner Mendenhall noted that he will be meeting with the Golf Board next week and plans to ask about the use of two golf carts to assist with transportation during the June 5th ribbon cutting ceremony. The Fly-Fishing World Championships will take place September 13–18, 2026, in Idaho Falls, including events on the Snake River and nearby lakes. Jared informed the Commissioners that he has been asked to issue a parking permit for a tour bus, which will need to park intermittently on both public and county roads during the event. Beth Vanderwalker, Ambassador for America250: Commissioner Mendenhall introduced Beth as Ambassador for the America250 celebration. She has already met with representatives from Sugar City and the Rexburg Chamber to discuss both proposed events and existing community events where Madison County could participate. One proposed event is “Pet in the Park Day,” where contest entry fees could benefit the Humane Society. Beth asked the Commissioners about the available budget to support these efforts and highlighted the need to form multiple committees to help organize and manage events. The importance of beginning communication with the State was emphasized, so that Madison County events can be included in statewide promotions and advertising. Ambulance: Public Hearing: Rate increase and adjustment to CPI index: Commissioner Smith made a motion to open the meeting for a public hearing at 10:43 a.m. The hearing was properly noticed. No written comments were received. No conflicts were declared from the Commissioners. A roll call vote was taken as follows: Commissioner Smith-yes, Commissioner Mendenhall-yes, Commissioner Parkinson-yes. 6 | P a g e Chief Miskin reported that ambulance rates have not been adjusted in seven years. Due to rising costs for ambulances and provider services, a proposal was made to allow annual rate adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This approach would enable regular, incremental adjustments, eliminate the need for a public hearing each year and require the Commissioners be notified of any increases. Opposed: None. Neutral: None. In Favor: None. After receiving no further public comment, the public comment portion was closed. Since the Commissioners serve as the Board of Directors for the Ambulance, they asked Troyce for more frequent updates from his department moving forward. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve Ordinance #527, which sets the new Ambulance service fees and billing policy. It will take effect immediately. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Shawn Boice, Rexburg Free Clinic exemption, site improvement exemption: There was discussion regarding a tax credit request for the Rexburg Free Clinic, noting that because the clinic is a separate entity from the building owner, it does not meet State Statute requirements for eligibility. Shawn reminded the Commissioners the decision is left to their discretion. The Commissioners agreed to approve the tax credit, citing the clinic’s significant benefit to the community and the fact that grants and donations are used for medical supplies, not for paying volunteers. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve a tax credit for the Rexburg Free Clinic in an amount to be determined for the 2025 tax year. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve a site improvement exemption for Mitch Loveland. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Jason Wilburn, AI in County Government & Neumo Documents: There was discussion about AI usage within the County. Jason proposed creating a dedicated position responsible for being trained in AI and then training County employees on effective and appropriate use in the workplace. Since this position would require an investment, the Commissioners requested additional detail, asking Jason to provide a structured education and training plan, clear goals and responsibilities 7 | P a g e for the position and to define a 3-month and 6-month vision outlining expected progress and outcomes. Jason presented Neumo, a cloud-based software product that will provide slick, quick searches for recordings. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to entertain the product from Neumo. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Troy Thurgood, Health Care expense solution: Troy requested permission from the Commissioners to work with Ann Marie on an analysis to determine which employees might qualify for a supplemental program alongside the current insurance plan. The Commissioners expressed concerns about the amount of employee data required for such an analysis, which included not only wages, but how much each employee was placing into retirement accounts. These seemed too broad. As a result, they asked Lori to further investigate the financial benefits of the program before moving forward. Brian McKellar, HRA discussion: Brian proposed an alternative HRA solution for Medicare-eligible employees, who cannot use the County’s traditional HRA. The proposal includes a self-administered, medical-only HRA refund program that would allow for reimbursement of qualifying medical expenses, including those under the tier two benefit structure. The goal is to provide equitable benefits for employees on Medicare. Brian will have Troy review the proposal before bringing it back to the Commissioners for further consideration. Lori Hicks, Review of revenue spreadsheets: Lori presented a review of revenue spreadsheets, demonstrating how filters are used to organize and analyze data across different tables. She emphasized that as more data is collected over time, it will become easier to identify trends, helping the Commissioners make more informed decisions for the County. Cameron/Moroni, Boat Bay bid approval for Sheriff’s Office: After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve contributing up to $60,000 for construction of a boat bay for Search and Rescue. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. The bids for the construction of the boat bay were opened. After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to award the lowest bid for the construction of the boat bay to Harold L Harris Construction in the amount of $309,274. Commissioner seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Kort Ware/Tyler Saurey, Update on the bike path / sidewalk in Hibbard: 8 | P a g e The bike path project is being revised from its original design. The City of Rexburg plans to add a concrete sidewalk to help keep pedestrians off higher-speed roadways and improve safety. Tyler noted that his department does not plan to maintain the sidewalk during winter, as they do not have the necessary equipment to do so. Executive Session: Commissioner Smith made a motion to go into Executive Session at 1:09 p.m. Idaho Code § 74-206(1)(b) employee matters. A roll call was taken as follows: Commissioner Smith-yes, Commissioner Mendenhall-yes, Commissioner Parkinson-yes. The motion passed. Commissioner Smith returned to open session at 2:12 p.m. The Commissioners met with the City of Rexburg Mayor, Economic Development and Public Works regarding fairgrounds projects. Commissioner Smith adjourned the meeting at 3:10 p.m. Approved: Todd Smith, Commissioner Brent Mendenhall, Commissioner Dustin Parkinson, Commissioner Attest: Kim Muir, County Clerk