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August 20, 2026, BOCC Minutes
Meeting Details
Date of Meeting:
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Commissioners present:
Ernie Moser, Jeff Hough, and Ken Bullock
Clerk of the Board:
Jason C. Dixon
Absent Board Members:
Staff present:
Deputy Clerk Nancy Allen, Comptroller Kristi Klauser, Prosecutor Ian
Johnson, and Civil Deputy Prosecutor Sean Bowen
Agenda Details
AGENDA
Work Session and Claims Meeting (action items)
Agenda:
1
•
TJ Merzlock, requesting assistance with zoning and potential permit for a home he would like to
have built (requested 10 minutes) (action item)
2
•
Jennifer Clark, Treasurer, requesting signature on a Letter of Cancellation (action item)
3
•
Kimberly Talbot, DV Court, seeking signature on four documents for ICJR grants (requested 5
minutes) (action items)
4
•
Dan Kendall, Buildings and Grounds, providing a monthly update
5
•
Jamie Pehrson, Bannock County Fair, seeking approval of and signature on contracts requesting
rental waivers with (1) Marsh Valley School District, and (2) Arimo Nativity (requested 10
minutes) (action item)
6
•
Shanda Crystal, Procurement, regarding a recommendation to award the Request for
Qualifications for General Architectural Services (requested 5 minutes) (action item)
7
•
Dillon Evans, Landfill, providing an update on the 627 Scraper rebuild and seeking signature on
Estimate No. QID200237 (requested 5 minutes) (action item)
8
•
Kiel Burmester, Public Works, requesting approval of and signature on a Road Improvement
Easement (requested 5 minutes) (action item)
9
•
Kristi Klauser, Auditing, requesting (1) to discuss funding adjustments for the FY27 budget, and
(2) approval to DocuSign the RecDesk Payment Services Addendum (requested 5 minutes)
(action item)
10 BOARD OF AMBULANCE DISTRICT
•
Shane Grow, Fire Chief – City of Pocatello, presenting a (1) Bannock County Ambulance District
quarterly report, and (2) review and potential signature on a contract for the new medical director
(requested 10 minutes) (potential action item)
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
11
Claims Agenda:
•
Board of Ambulance District: Invoices and Commissioner Report
•
Board of Commissioners: Invoices, Commissioners Reports, and Credit Applications
•
Personnel Actions with potential Executive Session under Idaho Code §§74-206(1)(a), (b) & (d)
for personnel actions or personnel records exempt from disclosure with potential action following
adjournment of Executive Session
•
Payroll Report
•
Alcohol Licenses and Permits
•
Certificate of Residency Approval
•
Mileage Reimbursement Requests
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
BANNOCK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
August 20, 2026, BOCC Minutes
•
Technology Request Form
•
Memorandum Authorization for Accounts Payable
•
Cardholder User Agreement and Authorization
Meeting Notes
1
9:01 AM Hough called the meeting to order. Merzlock introduced himself and explained he has been in
the real estate world for close to 50 years. He reviewed his request for a zoning exception and to be able
to derive a building permit from that. He explained the property location and surrounding developments.
Merzlock also met with Planning and paid for research, but was denied and told the two parcels that came
together to as one. He’s been to the City of Chubbuck and applied for annexation which was approved,
but the fire marshal came forward to object due to having a private bridge. The fire marshal wanted proof
the bridge would handle the weight of a fire truck weight. A structural engineer was paid $5,000 and
approved the bridge as sound. However, he doesn’t have water to the property and that would take
between $300,000-400,000. If Bannock County allows a permit, it would come with a septic and well.
9:12 AM Planning Director Hal Jensen reported it does not meet the density requirement for an ag zone
and it has multiple pieces of property. This area was under consideration for a rezone during the rewrite,
but that was shifted away. The question for legal is whether several properties along with Mr. Merzlock’s
can be rezoned to residential suburban or if that would be spot zoning. As it stands, Mr. Merzlock has no
development rights.
9:14 AM Bowen reviewed there is no definition of spot zoning in statute, but cases from 2015 in Payette
County have a test for two kinds of spot zoning. The test for reclassifying, whether it is compatible with
the comprehensive plan. The second is whether a rezone is not consistent with a comprehensive plan and
is done for the benefit of a single landowner. In this case, it appears an agricultural piece of land that is
not in ag production and is surrounded by residential areas, that a rezone would be consistent with the
comprehensive plan and be permissible spot zoning under Idaho law.
9:16 AM Discussion ensued on another similar application being denied and that a building permit
application would require proof on the bridge. Moser brought up the process to transfer development
right, and shared concerns of the bridge and whether it would be private or public. Bullock discussed a
rezone to match the surrounding properties and potential options. Jensen explained a variance is not an
option as all the requirements would not be met and would be a waste of Mr. Merzlock’s time.
Annexation was approved, but he would have to provide water. 9:24 AM Moser moved to go forward
with a rezone. Jensen questioned whether to include the other two properties. The Board deferred to
Jensen and his expertise on the area. The motion passed.
2
9:27 AM Clark submitted a request for cancellation of late fees and interest. Bullock moved to authorize
the cancellations. Clark reviewed the justification and the taxes were paid. The motion passed.
3
9:28 AM Talbot requested signature on documents for the grant submission due this day. Bullock moved
to authorize the Chair’s signature. The motion passed.
4
9:29 AM Hunter Brewer, Maintenance Specialist, also appeared. Kendall gave updates on elevator
inspections, sewer backup, city water line break in Downey, flooding at the Planning office, completed
McCammon Ambulance project, and YDC drainage and cracks on the side of the building.
5
9:36 AM Fair Board Member D’Lyn Moser-Evans, Fairgrounds Maintenance Alex Hauser, Bill Johns,
and Shad Hansen from Marsh Valley School District were also present. Pehrson reviewed the requests for
fee waivers to use the bleachers, and the requested number of bleachers/days for high school football
games and a live nativity scene in Arimo. Bullock moved to approve the two fee waivers. The motion
passed.
6
9:40 AM Facilities Director Dan Kendall also appeared. Crystal reviewed the process to this point for the
RFQ and requested to move forward with contract negotiations with Booth Architecture. The motion
passed.
August 20, 2026, BOCC Minutes
7
9:41 AM Evans updated the Board on the scraper rebuild that has more damage than anticipated. The
request is to add $145,000. Klauser reviewed discussion on holding back on some remediation items.
Evans explained that DEQ is doing a longer review so the funds are available. Bullock moved to
authorize the additional $145,000. The motion passed.
8
9:43 AM Burmester reviewed the request to approve an easement agreement for a turnaround. The survey
was completed in 2023 and is located in the Meadow Ridge Ranch Subdivision. Moser moved to approve
the easement agreement. The motion passed.
9
9:48 AM Klauser explained the discovery of changes that need made to the proposed budget, but will not
affect the bottom line.
9:50 AM Klauser explained the previously approved contract with Recdesk, but in going through
implementation notified of a fee for disputed amounts. An addendum is needed for that process. Bullock
moved to authorize electronic signature. The motion passed.
10 Cancelled.
11 9:51 AM Moser moved to approve the items on the claims agenda. The motion passed.
9:52 AM Adjourned.
Action Item Summary
ACTION/DIRECTION
ASSIGNED TO
Moving forward with a rezone application was approved.
Planning
Cancellation of late fees and interest was approved.
Treasurer/Resolution
Letters and certifications were approved for the ICJR grant submission.
DV/Grant Team
Fee waivers were granted for bleacher use at Marsh Valley football games
and a live nativity scene in Arimo.
Fairgrounds
Contract negotiations were approved to begin with Booth Architecture.
Procurement
Additional funds were approved for the scraper rebuild.
Landfill
Road improvement easement agreement was approved for a turnaround in
Meadow Ridge Ranch Subdivision.
Public Works
Addendum to Recdesk contract was approved to sign electronically.
Parks & Rec
Items on the claims agenda were approved.
Auditing/Clerk/Resolution
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