Bannock County | minutes | meeting 2026-03-05 | March 5, 2026, Commissioner Meetings source: https://www.bannockcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20260305-Minutes-Final.pdf March 5, 2026, BOCC Minutes Meeting Details Date of Meeting: Thursday, March 5, 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, and Attorney Jonathan Radford Agenda Details AGENDA Work Session and Claims Meeting (action items) Agenda: 1 • Scott Crowther, Event Center/Wellness Complex, requesting approval of and signature on (1) contract requesting price fee reduction with the BCRA, and (2) rental agreement with Mystic Realms Fantasy Fair (requested 5 minutes) (action item) 2 • Randy Hobson, Chief Deputy Assessor, requesting approval of tax cancellations (request 5 minutes) (action item) 3 • Discussion pertaining to request to waive property taxes with possible Executive Session under Idaho Code §74-206(1)(d) to consider records that are exempt from disclosure as provided in chapter 1, title 74, Idaho Code with potential action following adjournment of Executive Session (requested 10 minutes) (action item) 4 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 • Technology Request Form • Memorandum Authorization for Accounts Payable • Cardholder User Agreement and Authorization 5 Community Leaders Meeting Meeting Notes 1 9:00 AM Hough called the meeting to order. Operations Manager Jake Crump appeared. BCRA Member Cody Hyde also appeared. The organization’s usage, staff grooming time, and request for a partial fee waiver was reviewed. 9:05 AM Event Manager Chaney Nielson reviewed this is a recurring event so MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF BANNOCK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS March 5, 2026, BOCC Minutes dates are blocked out. Questions arose on the amount of the fee and waiver. Moser moved to table the contract to await the correct numbers. The motion passed. 9:07 AM Crump reviewed a contract for the Mystic Realms Fantasy Fair. Deneb Edwards and Mike Collins appeared. A fee for water was included. Bullock moved to approve the contract. The motion passed. 2 9:10 AM Hobson appeared for tax cancellation requests. Moser moved to approve the cancellations. The motion passed. 3 9:11 AM Chief Deputy Treasurer Misty Katsilometes, Treasurer Jennifer Clark, and Chief Deputy Assessor Randy Hobson were present. Hough moved to enter into executive session under Idaho Code §74-206(1)(d) to consider records that are exempt from disclosure. The motion passed by roll call vote. 9:19 AM Hough moved to exit executive session. The motion passed. Moser moved to deny the hardship request. The motion passed. 4 9:20 AM Bullock moved to approve items in the claims agenda. The motion passed. 5 2:31 PM Arimo Mayor Lonnie Gunter, Treasurer Jennifer Clark, Assessor Anita Hymas, McCammon Mayor Karlene Hall, Chubbuck Mayor Rodney Burch, Brandi Dye with ICCU, School District Superintendent Doug Howell, Idaho Power Regional Manager Joe Kendall, (2:40 pm) Pocatello Mayor Mark Dahlquist, and (2:57 pm) Chamber of Commerce Membership Manager Kirk Lepchenske were present. Hough reviewed the purpose of the meeting. 2:35 PM Economic development discussions ensued on organization efforts, projects, and potential collaboration. A study on economic benefits from the MEC that the Auditorium District sent out was reviewed. The Simplot Games were recently held here. The County pointed out resources such as the Youth Development Center, The Village, Exhibit Hall Fair building, and the new McCammon ambulance bay. 2:42 PM Kendall reviewed Idaho Power is watching legislative issues and recently worked with the city on the footprint for a new facility. 2:43 PM Howell explained the school district is ready to receive students. There has been declining enrollment for three years with about 1,000 less students. The trend follows the national birth rate. Cuts have been made and last year they closed an elementary school. 2:45 PM Hall reported McCammon is working on wastewater, and looking for grants to replace water lines while the state is doing the road. 2:47 PM Gunter reported Arimo has issues with water treatment and meter parts being difficult to obtain. 2:49 PM Dahlquist pointed out that Neighborworks is looking for an area for mutual self-help housing in rural areas to put in 10 homes. The program requires sweat equity. 2:52 PM Burch suggested a different view to go with economic development, that being a positive attitude and aesthetics; not just job creation. Make a community attractive enough that people want to be here. 2:54 PM Discussion ensued on the non-profits and budget cuts last year. The Board requested to look at how to take care of them as a group, to share information, and discuss contributions. 3:01 PM Dye reported that Light the World did amazing. Gunter reported being told that Pocatello was fourth in world for contributions during that campaign. 3:03 PM Howell reported almost half of the student population uses the free/reduced lunch program. The school district has community resource workers and food pantries. 3:04 PM Water usage at the Wellness Complex was discussed with the curtailment order. Chubbuck has a capital improvement plan and is in a good position. Pocatello has plans to tap into the Satterfield well for the golf course. Artificial turf was suggested for the county fields, but would be expensive. 3:12 PM Moser explained the America 250 celebration plans that included the symphony, a fun run with coordinating seniors and veterans to attend, a reenactment of Washington crossing the reservoir, and encouraging departments to allow staff do 250 minutes of service. Also being planned are two birthday parties in May and August for staff. Another idea is having the youth from the YDC do a declaration of independence flash mob. 3:16 PM Pocatello is putting together a subcommittee to plan some events. 3:16 PM The school district will be part of art walk on May 1 in the palace at Pocatello High School. Students will create a display and there will be choirs and bands for the 250th. March 5, 2026, BOCC Minutes 3:17 PM Moser reported on the 988 crisis management line. Idaho is in the top 5 for suicides. He requested to get the word out on the help line. 2:57 PM Lepchenske reported that Brewfest is looking for volunteers. Action Item Summary ACTION/DIRECTION ASSIGNED TO BCRA contract and fee waiver request was tabled for clarified dollar amounts; and Mystic Realms Fantasy Fair contract was approved. Parks & Rec Tax cancellation requests were approved. Resolution/Assessor/ Treasurer Hardship application for tax relief was denied after considering records exempt from disclosure in executive session. Clerk/Treasurer Items on the claims agenda were approved. Auditing/Resolution Community leaders had general discussions on economic development, housing, water, non-profits, America 250 celebrations, and community events. Commission