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Madison County
Commissioner Meeting Minutes
December 22, 2025
Attendees:
Todd Smith, Commissioner Chairman
Brent Mendenhall, Commissioner
Dustin Parkinson, Commissioner
Troy Evans, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Kim Muir, County Clerk
Karen Daniels, Deputy Clerk
ACTION ITEMS
This meeting was streamed electronically.
Pledge of Allegiance: By all
Invocation: Commissioner Mendenhall
Keith Davidson, Sign Contract for new Airport Consultant:
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the contract
for Grand Peaks Aviation for a new airport consultant. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and
voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the Rexburg
Air Service contract. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion
passed.
Public Comment: No one present to comment.
Calendar Discussion:
Next Commission Meeting: December 29, 2025, for an Executive Session and January 12, 2026.
Schedule of Commissioners and reports on various meetings:
Discussion Items:
January meeting schedule: Meetings will be held January 12 and 20. The change is due to IAC
Meetings in Boise the last week of January 2026.
Liquor licensing:
Rexburg may have no official record of being a dry county. Commissioner Smith talked to the
Liquor Control Board, and she said they have always considered Madison County a “dry” county.
There is a 3-step process for a liquor license: The application goes to the State first, the county
second and the city third. Commissioners would like to put this matter on a ballot to see if the
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public would like to remain a “dry” county or allow liquor by the drink. Public hearings within the
commissioner districts may need to be held.
Janalyn Holt was present and feels that we need to be reasonable in this decision. In her experience
bringing in liquor by the drink brings in other questionable businesses and violent crime increases
by 2.2% when liquor by the drink is sold in a small city. It is tough to control when a person has
had too much to drink when being served in a restaurant setting.
This will be on a future agenda to discuss with both city mayors, the Sheriff and Chief of Police.
Research into this matter will continue to see what, if anything, occurred prior.
Update –Emergency Services Board, Commissioner Mendenhall:
Commissioner Mendenhall reported that the Emergency Services Board has changed its name to
the Madison Fire Department Board.
Update-Teton Lakes and Alcohol:
Commissioner Mendenhall reported that Teton Lakes is going to leave things as they are for now
as far as their policy on alcohol on the premises.
Contracts/Documents:
After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the County
annual Vessel Fund Report. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The
motion passed.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the County
annual Road Report. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion
passed.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the Hibbard
house Agreement with 4 Corners. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was
unanimous. The motion passed.
Routine Matters:
After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the claims
presented by the Clerk in the amount of $279,570.24. 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 December 8, 2025. Commissioner Smith seconded and voting was
unanimous. The motion passed.
Personnel Actions:
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve Personnel
Actions. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
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After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve Certificates of
Residency as vetted in the Clerk’s office for Everet Evans. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded
and voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
Jason Wilburn, IT, Software/NetSuite Update and Additional Employees:
There was discussion about bringing on a new software administrator in January and to implement
the new software in phases. Two more additional employees to be hired within the year was also
discussed.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the contract
with Oracle. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
Morgan Thompson, Seth Moeller, Graphic Design:
There was discussion about Seth’s draft design for the new county logo. Seth will update the design
with their suggestions in mind and bring it to the next meeting.
Discussion regarding Fairground water and wastewater report:
Commissioner Parkinson reported on potential solutions for wastewater management at the
Madison County Fairgrounds, including constructing a pressure station or drilling a new well. Both
options would require a dedicated lot designated specifically for this utility service. A question
was raised about the availability of grants to help fund the wastewater portion of the project. To
move forward, it was agreed that a discussion with the City of Rexburg and their planning staff is
necessary to evaluate feasibility, explore funding opportunities, and align infrastructure planning.
Lance Hansen, Update for Extension Office:
Jared’s job description has been updated with a horticulture description.
Sheriff’s Office, Internet for Driver’s License, Review and sign, Contract with Blackfoot
Communications:
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the contract
with Blackfoot Communications. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous.
The motion passed.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the contract with
Blackfoot Communications for a speed upgrade. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting
was unanimous. The motion passed.
Jarom Brizzee, Monarch Subdivision:
Jarom was not present. This was not discussed.
Executive Session: Commissioner Smith made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:43
a.m. Idaho Code §74-206(1)(b) employee matters and (d) exempt records, Ann Marie Sorensen,
Indigent Clerk. 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 11:13 a.m.
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Veteran Service Officer decision:
Commissioner Mendenhall wanted to officially welcome Jared Hoverston to Madison County.
Jared replaces Ron Naegelin and has wholeheartedly recommended Jared as his replacement.
Thornton fire discussion:
Corey presented a plan showing the layout for the Thornton fire station. He mentions the drilling
of the first well did not work. It is recommended it be drilled again at least 100 ft. away from the
original site. Corey included estimated expenses to date totaling $238,200 from the Fire District.
The county put in $100,000 towards drilling the first well. This is zoned Commercial Property.
They received 3 bids for re-drilling. Denning Well Drilling has been suggested. Corey is requesting
the county help financially with the second well drilling and feels the County has some
responsibility in this. This well would be tied into the water flow issue, and we don’t currently
have the water flow to support the building and development going on.
Commissioner Mendenhall feels that many of the businesses going out in the Thornton area have
some volatility and that the county does have some responsibility. Commissioner Parkinson would
like to see why the well failed. He would like to see a test well to make sure there is water, so we
know what we are getting into. The previous well that failed was drilled to 230 feet. Corey asked
if Road and Bridge could level the land to make a platform for the driller. Dustin will talk to Tyler
to get this done.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to agree to 50% of the
cost of the test well and have the report reviewed by all entities involved. Commissioners also
would like Corey to have attorney’s look into recouping funding from High Plains for the failed
well and get the casing for the well returned. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was
unanimous. The motion passed.
The City of Rexburg has requested budgets and finance documents for the Fire District. A meeting
will be planned to discuss budgets in early March and April.
Continuation of meeting on Tuesday, December 23, 2025:
Executive Session: Commissioner Smith made a motion to go into Executive Session at 8:33 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 9:54 a.m.
Commissioner Smith adjourned the meeting at 9:58 p.m.
Approved:
Todd Smith, Commissioner
Brent Mendenhall, Commissioner
Dustin Parkinson, Commissioner
Attest:
Kim Muir, County Clerk
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