Madison County | minutes | meeting 2026-04-13 | Regular Meeting source: https://www.madisoncountyid.gov/Document center/Meeting Minutes/2026/April 13, 2026ab.pdf?t=202605081922190 Abbreviated Minutes: Complete Set of Minutes Are on File in The Clerk’s Office 1 | P a g e Madison County Commissioner Meeting Minutes April 13, 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 Parkinson Calendar Discussion: Next Commission Meeting April 27, and May 11, 2026. The Budget Hearing date was set for Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. for the County, Ambulance and Mosquito Districts. After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to hold the budget hearing on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Budget meetings with department heads and elected officials set for June 8, 2026, in conjunction with Commission Meeting and June 10, 2026. May 19, 2026 is Election Day, Early voting will run May 4th–15th. Schedule of Commissioners: Hospital Board Meeting April 22nd, Commissioner Mendenhall will attend. Commissioner Mendenhall will be in IAC meetings in Boise April 22nd-24th. Discussion Items: Discussion regarding updates to fees on County Website: This will be further discussed at the department head meeting. Abbreviated Minutes: Complete Set of Minutes Are on File in The Clerk’s Office 2 | P a g e Vehicle for P&Z: Gary will discuss with the Sheriff regarding vehicles they may be disposing of, or the P & Z Office could use one of the cars in the Administration Building parking lot. Flood 50 Donation: The city is asking if Madison County will be donating to this event. Update on Frontage Road, Moody Road and University Road projects: o Frontage Road. Concrete is here for the bridge and will be ready for paving with completion around the 4th of July. o Moody Bridge. Preparing to pave. There have been issues with the deck and it will need grinding and resealing. o University Boulevard. The ditch is moved and dirt is being hauled in. The City has let us know there are no funds to put into this project. The road will be built as wide as the city requires. Rather than paving, they will oil and rock for now. They hope to have it drivable by late Summer or early Fall. The bike path was discussed at a public meeting, and the public wasn’t in favor of the proposed route. Commissioner Parkinson met with Tyler and came up with a more desirable route. The city has annexed and the path can continue further South. This change will not cause any problems with the grant and there may be extra costs, but it will be better for all concerned. Veterans Building update: Commissioner Mendenhall investigated this matter and received a copy of a deed provided by the Idaho Military Division. The deed shows that the Military Division deeded the building to Madison County. Legal Counsel will draw up an MOU. Medicare insurance reimbursements for employees, including premiums: After discussion, the Commissioners determined that those on Medicare should have the same benefits as all employees. Commissioner Mendenhall will meet with Brian McKellar to discuss details and bring it back to Commissioners. Contracts/Documents: After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the MOU with the City of Rexburg for School District property. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve and ratify the Chairman’s signature of the Lease for the Extension Services Building. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve a purchase from Norcon Industries, Inc. for new bleachers at the Fairgrounds. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. ($25,000 of this will come from the Fairgrounds budget) Abbreviated Minutes: Complete Set of Minutes Are on File in The Clerk’s Office 3 | P a g e Routine Matters: After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the claims presented by the Clerk in the amount of $1,513,275.72. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the Commission meeting minutes for March 23 and April 1, 2026. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Personnel Actions: Employee Name Position Salary/Wage Change After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve Personnel Actions. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. There were no Certificates of Residency. Public Comment: Edward Ashton, 2085 E 2000 N. He asked to install a flashing yellow light at the intersection of Digger Drive and Moody to help improve safety and reduce accidents. Mr. Ashton noted that a state report indicated four accidents in the past 10 years, but he believes this is underreported, as he has personally observed more incidents during that time. A key concern is limited visibility, as a home obstructs the view of the stop sign at 16th East and Moody, contributing to the safety issue. Kent Barrus, 1417 S 7th E, expressed serious safety concerns on the same roadway, warning that lives could be at risk without intervention at the intersection. Over the 24 years he has lived in the area, he has witnessed multiple vehicles fail to stop at the stop sign, with four vehicles ending up in his field. Commissioner Parkinson will consult with Road & Bridge to install a flashing stop sign at the intersection, Commissioner Smith will follow up to review and verify the accuracy of the reported accident data. A traffic study may be requested as well for more information. Planning & Zoning: Finding of Facts: Plat Amendment-Mill Creek Estates–Nate Thompson Nate Thompson owns the ½ acre lot in question. The lot is part of the T&S Subdivision that was platted in 2009. The lot was part of Lot 6, which was later divided into Lots 6A & B, with Nate owning Lot B. In 2020, Lot 8 of T&S was platted into the Mill Creek Estates Subdivision. Nate owns what is Block 1 Lot 6 of Mill Creek Estates. The application is to move the ½ acre lot (Lot 6B) from T&S subdivision and combine it into Mill Creek Estates Block 1 Lot 6 of Mill Creek Estates Subdivision. The change will facilitate construction of a shop building to the east of the pond, where the current lot line is located. After review and discussion and having found that the application meets the requirements for Plat Amendment as outlined in Madison County Code 115-201(C), Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the application from Nathan Thompson to amend T&S Subdivision and Mill Abbreviated Minutes: Complete Set of Minutes Are on File in The Clerk’s Office 4 | P a g e Creek Estates Subdivision, as proposed in application materials received February 25, 2026. Commissioner Smith seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Final Plat for Old School Subdivision – D.L. Beck LLC-Brad Cramer The application is for a 16 lot commercial subdivision of 20.5 acres of land, on the north side of 5200 S, at about 2786 W, in the Thornton Business Area. The property has commercial zoning. At 16 lots, the development is considered “Medium Scale Development (between 9-29 lots)” in Madison County Code. All lots are at least 1 acre. The subdivision is proposed to include access off of 5200 S on the south end, and then connect to adjacent Texas Siding Business Park to the west via the already established Grizzly Lane. Each lot will have a private well and septic. The property is the location of the old Lyman school. The property still has the well from the school, that may be used for fire flow and fire suppression within the subdivision, pending testing. After review and discussion and having found that the application meets the requirements for Final Plat as outlined in Madison County Code 115-32, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the application from DL Beck, Inc for the Preliminary Plat for the Old School Subdivision, as proposed in application materials received February 25, 2026. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Conditional Use Permit for Duplex for Greg & Daniele McKinnes The applicant is applying for a Conditional Use Permit to build a duplex on a 1.52-acre parcel in the Transitional Agriculture Zone. Duplexes are allowed in the TAG zone with a Conditional Use Permit. The property is not in a subdivision. The applicant lives on the parcel immediately to the east of the subject parcel. The subject parcel was split off the applicant’s parcel in March 2025 for the purpose of creating a building lot for the proposed duplex. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the findings of fact for Greg and Daniele McKinnes. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the application from Greg & Daniele McInnes for a Conditional Use Permit for a Duplex as proposed in application materials received February 10, 2026, with conditions as outlined in the staff report. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Conditional Use Permit-Home Business Major for Maurice & Tammy Brown (this is a correction from the posted agenda) The applicant is applying for a Conditional Use Permit to operate an Accessory Home Occupation/Home Business (yoga studio and event/party venue). The property is in the Rexburg Area of City Impact, Rexburg Rural Residential 1 Zone. Under Madison County Code Section 105-22, this type of use requires a Conditional Use Permit. The property is not in a subdivision. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the findings of fact for Maurice and Tammy Brown. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Abbreviated Minutes: Complete Set of Minutes Are on File in The Clerk’s Office 5 | P a g e After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the application from Maurice & Tammy Brown for a Conditional Use Permit to operate Accessory Home Occupation/Home Business – (yoga studio and event/party venue) as proposed in application materials received February 13, 2026, with conditions as outlined in the staff report. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Aaron Dalling, Fremont Madison Irrigation District, Request for a Drought Declaration Aaron Dalling, Executive Director of the Fremont-Madison Irrigation District, petitioned the Commissioners to approve a resolution declaring a drought in Madison County. The declaration would: • Allow temporary changes to water rights, helping more farms access available water to finish crops • Help mitigate the impacts of drought conditions • Trigger access to additional resources, including low-interest loans and federal assistance programs The resolution will be placed on the next agenda for formal consideration and approval. Executive Session: Commissioner Smith made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:17 a.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 11:10 a.m. Shawn Boice, Assessor Board of Equalization matters: Ag Exemptions, Site Improvement Exemptions, Non-profit Exemptions, Tax Credit for Lynette Murray Shawn reports the Tax Commission has notified him that the county is not trending. Shawn has worked with the State Tax Commission, and a plan has been agreed upon. Also discussed was new legislation that the Assessor’s cannot access personal property except public property. Reappraising will be based on GIS and will be appraising on the highest value possible. New construction changes will come from the plan. Tax Cancellation: There was an error in valuation of this split-level home, and the square footage needs to be adjusted. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the tax cancellation for $501.90 for Lynette Murray. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Ag Exemptions: Applying for an Ag exemption but doesn’t comply until fencing is finished and they can show income for animals grazing on the property. Abbreviated Minutes: Complete Set of Minutes Are on File in The Clerk’s Office 6 | P a g e After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to deny James and Kathleen Allen and Anne and Josh Hobbs for this tax year. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the application for Nathan and Heather Anderson. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Site Improvement Exemptions: After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the site exemption for Bagley Brothers Enterprises LLC. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve Forge Holdings. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the site exemption for Juniper Commons LLC. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the site exemption for White Owl Business Park. This includes 2 parcels. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the site exemption for Thunderbird Business Park LLC. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Non-Profit Exemptions: After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the BYU-I non-profit tax exemption for two homes. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to deny the tax exemption application for the Rexburg Free Clinic. Additional information is needed regarding ownership of the building. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. They will need to discuss it further with Commissioners. A site exemption on two of the properties for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was discussed. More research is needed and this will be discussed at the next meeting. Personnel Policy updates, Holiday pay, Bereavement pay This matter was turned over to the Employee Committee to be discussed. Employee Recognition: Certificates and awards were presented to the following for their years of service in Madison County: Abbreviated Minutes: Complete Set of Minutes Are on File in The Clerk’s Office 7 | P a g e Mark Backstein 30 years Todd Smith 15 years Blake Banta 15 years Julia Solomon 15 years Boyd Clark 15 years Blake Egbert 10 years Jade Bills 5 years Department Head Meeting: Topics to discuss: Drug testing The county is looking into doing more drug testing for all employees. This was discussed further, and the policy was reviewed. Right now, it is up to the department heads and elected officials on the timing of these. Updates to County website when fees change Departments were asked to coordinate with IT to ensure the correct fees are put on the county website, so the public is informed of the right amounts. Report on new credit cards – Hannah Hannah explained the nuances of changing to BILL for credit cards, as of May 1. She emphasized the need to send a picture of the receipt as soon as a charge is made. She will allow up to 14 days to receive the receipt. Budgets Clerk Kim Muir stated that budget packets are out to Departments. She explained that the State of Idaho is warning of a budget deficit this year and revenues to the counties are being cut. The County may also have to decrease budgets this year. Departments were encouraged to be frugal in budgeting. Employee Retention – Years of Service Departments were advised to budget for any employees that would be receiving years of service awards. The county allows $20 per year as employees reach years of service in 5-year increments. Gary Armstrong mentioned some deep fake issues with a citizen receiving an invoice from the Planning and Zoning Department that was not sent by them. Other issues were also mentioned, and Department Heads were encouraged to be vigilant in watching for these fraudulent issues. Lance Hansen, Fair Board foundation discussion Commissioner Smith reported on a discussion from a recent Fair Board committee meeting regarding the potential need for a Fairgrounds foundation. • Lance explained that a foundation could serve as the vehicle for donations and allow the Fair Board to secure and repay loans for large projects, which the County may not be able to do directly. • There was discussion about: o If the Fair Board and Foundation should be combined or separate entities Abbreviated Minutes: Complete Set of Minutes Are on File in The Clerk’s Office 8 | P a g e o If Fair Board members should also serve on the Foundation board • Commissioner Smith preferred keeping the boards separate, and the Commissioners agreed that: o They still want to approve all major projects o They would like to receive quarterly reports Lance was asked to finalize the bylaws and report back at the next meeting. Jason Wilburn, RFP for software acquisition The IT Department needs to acquire a tax software system for the Assessor’s and Treasurer’s offices. After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide a Computer-Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) and Property Tax Admin System with the caveat that the RFP include a start and estimated end date. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Craig Cobia, Airport update, Review and sign: Option agreement on land for new airport Commissioner Parkinson recused himself from this matter. Craig reported that he was directed to move forward with the airport relocation project last December. Since then, his efforts have focused on: • Identifying high-priority actions • Securing legal access to the proposed property • Evaluating the BLM land being considered for the project He emphasized that multiple potential locations have been researched as part of the planning process. There was also discussion about formalizing the partnership and next steps through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to support and authorize an option agreement on land for new airport. Commissioner Smith seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed. Jared Arnold, Update on Department Jared provided the following updates: • Dry conditions have led to an increase in mosquito populations, raising concerns about West Nile virus, and highlighting the need for increased activity within the City of Rexburg. • The State of Idaho has reduced funding for the Weed Department, eliminating cost share support for this year. • The Teton Dam overlook project is progressing well. • A road clearing project for the Building Department will be resuming soon. • Jared will continue to apply for grants to support ongoing and future projects, noting that state funding would be beneficial, especially for work across the entire mountain range. • Landscaping efforts are moving forward at the Search and Rescue building. • Roadside mowing is scheduled: Abbreviated Minutes: Complete Set of Minutes Are on File in The Clerk’s Office 9 | P a g e o Twice on the valley floor o Once around the ponds • Jared also provided an overview of the many buildings serviced by the Janitorial and Maintenance Department, as well as updates on his office staff responsibilities. Executive Session: Commissioner Smith made a motion to go back into Executive Session at 2:13 p.m. Idaho Code § 74-206(1)(b) employee matters and (c) property matters (continued). 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 4:42 p.m. Commissioner Smith adjourned the meeting at 4:42 p.m. Approved: Todd Smith, Commissioner Brent Mendenhall, Commissioner Dustin Parkinson, Commissioner Attest: Kim Muir, County Clerk