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Abbreviated Minutes: Complete Set of Minutes Are on File in The Clerk’s Office
Madison County
Commissioner Meeting Minutes
October 14, 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 Smith
Calendar Discussion:
Next Commission Meeting October 27 and November 10, 2025. Commissioner Parkinson will be
out of town for the November 10th meeting.
The upcoming Election will be held on November 4, 2025.
Set up a legislative breakfast with our legislators.
Set up a future further Planning and Zoning training with Gary.
Schedule of Commissioners and reports on various meetings:
Idaho Association Board of Health, Commissioner Mendenhall to attend, October 15, 2025
Beginning of Legislative Committee, Commissioner Mendenhall to attend, October 29, 2025
Transportation Planning Meeting, October 21, 2025
Veteran’s meeting, Commissioner Mendenhall to attend, November 11, 2025
COI Training with IAC, November 18, 2025
Discussion Items:
Airport manager hiring:
David Taylor was present. A meeting was held with Commissioner Smith, David Taylor, Mayor
Merrill and other city employees. Madison County is currently listed as a high priority project with
the FAA. Based on current progress, there is optimism that a new airport could be developed within
six years. Keith Davidson has been instrumental in moving the project forward but is currently
overextended. It was recommended that a dedicated airport director be hired to focus on three key
areas: approval of the project, construction oversight, and ongoing maintenance.
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The proposed site is located on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land. Sage grouse habitat and
Native American hunting rights on the land are known issues that will be addressed during the
approval process. Relationships with the FAA needs to be reestablished, as many past contacts
have left the agency. Effective coordination with the FAA will be crucial for maintaining the
project’s priority status.
A proposal was made to allocate up to $50,000 from the County’s budget to help fund the new
airport director’s position. The position would be jointly funded by the City and the County and
would serve as the Airport Authority responsible for the relocation project. It may be part-time at
first.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the hiring of
an airport manager with the city. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous.
The motion passed
Compression Brake Ordinance discussion:
Commissioner Mendenhall presented a draft for a compression brake ordinance for the county.
The Commissioners will discuss a date for a future public hearing to present it.
Contracts/Documents:
Ordinance No. 516 to increase Solid Waste fees, approved below in Public Hearing.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve Resolution No.
526 to reserve the forgone amount. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous.
The motion passed.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve Resolution No.
527 adopting the 2025-2026 Madison County Budget. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and
voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
Sound FX contract for upgrades to Commission Room, was approved on the last agenda.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the West Side
Frontage Road Agreement. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The
motion passed.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the Western
States Caterpillar Road Grader purchase contract. Commissioner Mendenhall 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 $1,712,802.35. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and
voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
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After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the
Commission meeting minutes for September 22, and 29, 2025. Commissioner Parkinson seconded
and voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
Personnel Actions:
After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve Personnel
Actions. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve Certificates of
Residency as vetted in the Clerk’s office for Nohea Clark. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and
voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
Public Comment: No one present to comment.
Planning and Zoning:
Findings of Fact, Zone Change-TAG to COM-DP Beck/Brad Cramer:
The application is to change the zoning from Transitional Agriculture to Commercial, on a 15.64-
acre lot in the Thornton Area, at approximately 2800 W and 5200 S. Adjacent lands to the west
are zoned for Commercial. Lands to the North, East, and South are zoned Transitional Agriculture.
Approval of the zone change will allow for the expansion of the Thornton Commercial Area.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the application
from DP Beck, LLC to change the zoning from Transitional Agriculture to Commercial as
proposed in application materials received August 12, 2025. Commissioner Parkinson seconded
and voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
Ordinance:
Ordinance No. 515 Zone Change- TAG to COM-DP Beck/Brad Cramer
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve Ordinance No.
515 Zone Change- TAG to COM-DP Beck/Brad Cramer. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and
voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
Mitch Neibaur/Tyler, Discussion regarding Snowmobile grooming
There was discussion about requesting permission from a property owner near 8000 South to use
approximately 8 to 9 acres of land for the creation of a designated parking lot. The purpose of the
parking lot would be to provide Road and Bridge with a consistent location to plow, avoiding
uncertainty about which areas require attention and to prevent people from parking on Mr.
Neibaur’s property, which has been a concern.
Commissioner Smith will contact the property owner to discuss the possibility of using the land
for this purpose.
Public Hearing, Solid Waste Fee change:
Commissioner Smith made a motion to open the meeting for a public hearing at 10:03 a.m.
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Solid Waste Fee Change and the C&D site: The hearing was properly noticed. No written
comments were received. No conflicts were declared by the Commissioners. A roll call vote was
taken as follows: Commissioner Smith-yes, Commissioner Mendenhall-yes, Commissioner
Parkinson-yes.
Sonnie Haws from Solid Waste: Is are proposing to double in and out of county fees effective
January 1, 2026. For an in-county discount, the burden of proof needs to be on the owner. The
reason for this is to try and match what it costs to operate, though it still isn’t paying for itself even
with the increase. There are numerous incidents where commercial haulers haul from Wyoming,
Blackfoot, etc., because Madison is far cheaper than anyone else to dump.
Sonnie will have a handout of the ordinance to give to customers and will update the signs at the
station.
Opposed: None.
Neutral: None.
In Favor: None.
After receiving no further public comment, the public comment portion was closed at 10:15 a.m.
Commissioner Parkinson appreciates everyone’s work on this, as it has been months in review and
discussions, and they don’t like raising fees, but this is long overdue for the C&D site since it’s
been costing more to run than what is being brought in.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve Solid Waste
Change Ordinance No. 516. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The
motion passed.
Evan Wise, Set budget priorities:
Evan thanked several departments for their help and support with the variety of fairground
activities and events. Evan presented several projects coming up for fiscal year 2026 such as a new
snow mount for a plow they already have, new lights and fans for the indoor arena and arts and
crafts area, panels, piping and a new welder for the shop.
Amanda Larese, Ordinance No. 354 Road Vacation:
After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve the signing of
a quit claim deed to transfer the property in Ordinance No. 354 to Raymond Gordon.
Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
Jared/Morgan, Discussion regarding security cameras in the parking lots and buildings:
Jared, Morgan and Jason presented an estimate from Teton Smart Security for a camera and printer
system. Their plan is to start in the Administration Building since the majority of the public enter
that building. They estimate the project to be complete by January 31, 2026.
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After review and discussion, Commissioner Mendenhall made a motion to approve funds to come
out of maintenance, IT and project funds for the security camera project for the Admin Building
totaling $54,865.00. Commissioner Parkinson seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion
passed.
Sheriff’s Office, Award presentations and pinning:
Sheriff Ball swore in Justin Merrill and Taylor Hansen. Justin grew up in Sugar City and worked
for Cassia County Sheriff’s department for four years. He was excited about the opportunity to
come back to this area. Taylor started his career in Wyoming in 2012 and moved to Rexburg
recently to get married. Sheriff Ball expressed his appreciation for and excitement to have Justin
and Taylor’s experience as part of the Madison County Sheriff Department.
Vince presented SWAT pins and thanked the Commissioners for their help and support getting the
SWAT team up and going with equipment and basic SWAT training.
Executive Session: Commissioner Smith made a motion to go into Executive Session at 11:45 a.m.
Executive Session 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 12:06 p.m.
Matt Nielsen, Approval of Purchase and Sale Agreement for 60 West Main Street:
Matt stated they want to make sure that both the city and the county get the same frontage
opportunity where the bus lanes are currently. We will have to have a defined termination clause,
so there are no issues. Do we want to split it now before we close on the property. Closing date is
April 2026. School will continue to stay until June 15, 2026. Once June 15 hits we will be ready
to demo the current building. Urban Renewal may want to sell the front of the property to a
business.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve Purchase and
Sale Agreement for 60 West Main Street to the Madison School District. Commissioner
Mendenhall seconded and voting was unanimous. The motion passed.
Tyler Saurey, West Frontage Road Agreement:
Two cement structures to be removed are part of the agreement. The canal company will do what
they want. The county will pay for these, but LHTAC will reimburse. $23–27,000. Tyler believes
it will be more for the check and the diversion.
After review and discussion, Commission Mendenhall made a motion to approve the West Side
Frontage agreement with Richard Wilcox on the utility agreement. Commissioner Parkinson
seconded and voting was unanimous.
Ben Winder/Western States Road Grader Purchase Contract:
Three road graders are coming off lease this month and are within hours of the max allowed. They
are proposing three new graders. Finance quote proposing 2025 AWD which is a direct
replacement. Each machine has a 5-year/5000 hours warranty. They will bring a replacement out
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if a repair takes too long. They do an annual inspection on each machine and provide all filters that
are needed during the 5-year period. Caterpillar in a concession allowed more rebate – so the
pricing is less that the last machines purchased with governmental discounts.
On the lease, CAT Financial has the best rate at 4.49% interest. He checked with another company
for interest rates, but they were more – Ben is working on them to lower further.
After review and discussion, Commissioner Parkinson made a motion to approve the leases for 3
motor graders with Western States CAT. Commissioner Mendenhall seconded and voting was
unanimous. The motion passed.
Executive Session: Commissioner Smith made a motion to go back into Executive Session at
12:47 p.m. Executive Session 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 1:47 p.m.
Commissioner Smith adjourned the meeting at 1:50 p.m.
Approved:
Todd Smith, Commissioner
Brent Mendenhall, Commissioner
Dustin Parkinson, Commissioner
Attest:
Kim Muir, County Clerk
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