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minutes meeting date 2026-09-28 · fetched 2026-10-25 · 12093 characters · official file · plain text
Cassia County Board of Commissioners
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, September 28, 2026
Cossio County Courthouse . Commission Chombers
7459 Overland Ave . Room 205 . Burley lD 83378
9:00 AM
The Cassia County Board of Commissioners met today at the place and time as posted by agenda
pursuant to ldaho Code 5 74-204 for Open Meetings Law.
ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1) 9:05 AM Call to order
2) Pledge of Allegiance and prayer
3) 9:07 AM Roll call
Roll Call.
Present: Leonard M. Beck - Chair, Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Sharene Ahlin - Deputy Clerk
(Not voting), Stephanie Hitt - Deputy Clerk
9:07 AM Mr. McMurray joined the meeting.
4) 9:07 AM Calendar, meetings, committee reports, and correspondence were reviewed.
a) 10:36 AM There was discussion regarding potential future data centers, including correspondence
received by Mr. McMurray from Jennifer Putnam of Malad ldaho in which she asked many questions
5) 9:13 AM Approve payables for 9/28/2026
9:13 AM Motion and Action: Approve payables in the amount of5828,178.62 as presented on9/2812026,
Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
6) 9:15 AM Approve minutes frc'f], 9/21./2026
9:15 AM Motion and Action: Approve minutes from 9/2L/2O26 as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle -
Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
7) 9:15 AM Approval of Clerk's Office recommendations regarding junior college Certificates of Residency
9:15 AM Motion and Action: Approve Clerk's Office recommendations to approve four junior college Certificates
of Residency as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion
passed unanimously.
8) 9:19 AM Personnel Matters - Change of Status Requests
a) MCCJC - Gerald Ruby - part time detention deputy - new hire
b) Treasurer - Patricia Smith -part time deputy treasurer - new hire
c) Clerk - Lynette Bell Renteria - deputy clerk - FY2027 cost of living
d) CCSO Brad German - part time deputy - resignation
cAssrA couNw coMMrssroN
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, Septembet 28, 2026
lnstrument # 202600{o,32
BURLEY. CASSI,A, IOAIIO
'10-13-2026 12:35:50 PM
No. ol Pages: 7
Recorded for : CASSIA COUNTY colautsstoruens
JOSEPH LARSEN
EI-Omcio Recorder DePutY
l lPage
to: COLMISSIONERS MINUTES
Fee: 0.00
9:20 AM Motion and Action: Approve Change ofStatus Requests as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member,
Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
9) Executive Sessions
9:42 AM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code I74-206 (1) (b) to consider
personnel issues and ldaho Code 5 74-206 (1) (f) to communicate with legal counsel regarding
pending/imminently-likely litigation, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 3).
Yes: Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
10:02 AM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement.
11:26 AM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 974-206 (1) (b) to consider
personnel issues, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 3).
Yes: Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
11:42 AM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement.
10) Review and approve Southern ldaho Economic Development Council invoice - no discussion
11) 9:23 AM Review, approve and execute Fifth Amendment to the Ambulance lndependent Contractor
Agreement extending aBreement through Septembet 30,2027
9:24 AM Motion and Action: Approve the Fifth Amendment to the Ambulance Independent Contractor
Agreement as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion
passed una nimously.
12) 9:25 AM Review application & permit to use Right-Of-Way approach
a) Mr. McMurray presented an approach permit on Reid Springs Road.
b) He discussed that the work has already been completed and that Ryan Ward said that the work was
satisfactory.
c) The application was noted to be presented to the Board after the work had been completed.
d) Matter to be placed on the next meeting agenda.
13) 11:18 AM Deliberate regarding Amendment to Karpel Service Contract
11:23 AM Motion and Action: Authorize the expenditure of S1,300.00 to Karpel for the data conversion as
presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously
11:24 AM Motion and Action: Authorize the first Amendment to the Karpel Service Contract as presented,
Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
cAsstA couNw coMMlssloN
REGULAR SE5SION
Monday, September 28, 2026
2lPage
SCHEDULED ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
14) 9:30 AM Review and approve FY2027 VSO contract
9:31 AM Motion and Action: Approve the FY2027 VSO contract as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member,
Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
15) 9:32 AM Review and approve tax year 2026 L-1 Certificate of Levies
9:34 AM Motion and Action: Accept the L-1 Certificate of Levies for year 2026 as presented, Moved by Kent R
Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
16) 10:02 AM Discuss continued electronic monitoring for Minidoka County Probation clients - Prewitt
a) Probation Director Amber Prewitt explained that Minidoka County had expressed concern that they may
not have enough monitoring units for their misdemeanor probationers.
b) Prewitt will send an email to the Minidoka County Commissioners requesting that they reimburse any
costs incurred by Cassia County on their behalf for the monitoring of their cllents.
17) 9:36 AM Review and approve purchase request from Magnet Forensics using Opioid funds - Sheriff
a) Undersheriff Kevin Horak explained that they are requesting the service for the analysis of electronic
devices such as phones and computers.
b) There will be an annual cost of approximately S15,000.00 There is a training voucher for 53,000.00
included in that cost for the four-day draining to learn to use the software.
c) lt was clarified that all tax listed on the quote will be requested to be removed from any invoice to be
issued.
9:41 AM Motion and Action: Approve the purchase from Magnet Forensics in the amount of 515,000.00 to be
paid from Opioid funds as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member.
Motion passed u nanimously.
18) 10:04 AM Department Head Reports lncluding Budgetary Updates
a) Reports were received from: Mart Adams - Assessor, Laura Greener - Treasurer, Ean Pigford - l.T.
Director, Amber Prewitt - Probation Director, Jarrod Thompson - Sheriff, Kerry McMurray - Building
and Zoning Administrator, and Sharene Ahlin - Deputy CIerk.
b) ltems of note included:
i) Treasurer Greener noted that the overall interest earnings for August, 2026 were S128,654.08.
ii) l.T. Director Pigford explained that the new cassia.gov website has been launched and explained
that the website is now ADA compliant.
iii) SheriffThompson discussed the difficulties for their department regarding vehicle registration
renewals without any stickers on the plates. There is hope that the matter will be reconsidered in
the next legislative session.
iv) Building and Zoning Administrator McMurray explained that the year-to-date revenue received for
permits was approximately S100,000.00 lower than the prior year.
19) 11:02 AM Construction proiect status report and items for consideration - Chad Gill, Gary Jones
Construction
a) The installation of the air barrier will begin on9/29/2Q26; that process is expected to take 30 days.
b) Electrical and plumbing work is in progress, and rough in of the first floor has started.
cAsstA couNw coMMrssroN
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, September 28, 2026
3lPage
c) There was discussion asking if the added costs for the addition of offices in the Assessor's Office had
been approved. Chad Gill explained that the full workup had not been done, thus no costs had been
attributed to it at this time.
20) Update from Southern ldaho Economic Development Council - no discussion
27\ 1.1:42 AM Reports of USFS and BLM
a) 11:43 AM BLM
i) BLM Gateway West Project Manager Casey Prestwich presented information regarding the Segment
7 of the proposed Gateway West project. There was discussion that 24% of the miles for the project
are public lands The information presented included information for the segment within Power,
Oneida, Cassia and Twin Falls Counties.
ii) 11:50 AM John Elliott with the BLM discussed the extra measures they had been taking during the
drought, as well as their clean-up efforts in the Milner area. He explained that they are asking for an
increased law enforcement presence, and noted that they always appreciate the support they
receive from the Cassia County Sheriff's Office.
iii) 12:03 PM Commissioner Searle expressed appreciation for the efforts with troughs and water for
the livestock during this drought.
b) 11:54 AM USFS
i) A report was received from Kevin Draper with the USFS He noted that a contractor will be cutting
Christmas Trees in the Howell Canyon area. The USFS will have some personnel periodically in the
area to ensure that there are no problems for people that wish to cut their own Christmas trees.
ii) He noted that Kelsaw Canyon is now open to the public access via an easement.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
22) Proposed County building discussion - no discussion
23) 1.2:03 PM Adjourn
12:03 PM Motion and Action: Adjourn, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member
Motion passed unanimously.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, September 28, 2026
4lPage
APPROVED
Leonard M. Beck, Chair
DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD:
Otz:
Sharene Ahlin
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUTAR SESSION
Monday, September 28, 2026
5lFage
0912812026 08:44:30 FN502WBSMICIIIELLEWALLACE
CASSIA COUNI'Y
PAGE I OF'I
BOTH UNPAID CLAIMS & DEMANDS GENERALGOVERNMENT FUNDS
* UNAPPROVED DEMANDS APPEAR IN ACTUALS AND ALSO AS AN INVOICE
Fund
GENERAL FUND (CURRENT EXPENSE)
ROAD & BRIDGE
DISTRICT COURT
JUSTICE FUND
tV I SDEIVIEANOR PROBATION
SOCIAL SERVICES-ASSISTANCE
COMIMUNITY COLLEGE
REVALUATION
NOXIOUS WEED & PEST
PHYSICAL FACILITIES
0001
0002
0006
0008
0012
001 6
0017
0020
0027
0029
5,093,499.00
712,150.00
399,326.00
15,639,677.00
1,390,000.00
99,000.00
200,000.00
468,000.00
518,550.00
12,531,'t40.00
7,309.94
395.60
145.60
29,957.25
37,764.97
3,000.00
200.00
400.00
12,975.00
736,030.26
99% OF FISCAL YEAR ELAPSED
Budget
Actual
Demand/Claims
Amt
_ Budget
Yo Budget
Remaining Remaining
4,408,184.16
511,400.67
393,486.85
14,312,060.97
1,273,505.43
63,009.14
181 ,900.00
420,393.03
468,008.06
4,314,118.65
685,314.84
200,749.33
5,839.15
1,327,616.03
116,494.57
35,990.86
18,100.00
47,606.97
50,541.94
8,217,021.35
130k
28%
1%
8%
8%
36%
9%
10%
1A%
66%
TotalAmount Paid
828,178.62
STATE OF IDAHO
CASSIA COUNTY
WE, THE CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, BEING DULY SWORN DO HEREBY CERTIFYAND DECLARE THAT
WE HAVE REVIEWED THE DEIVIANDS ENUIVIERATED AND REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING REGISTER, AND THAT THE SAIVIE ARE
TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE ACCURATE AND ARE JUST CLAIMS AGAINST THE COUNTY, AND THAT THERE ARE FUNDS
AVAILABLE FOR PAYIVIENT THEREOF IN THE COUNTY TREASURY.
AppRovEDFoRDrsrRrBUroNASoF q: *g-WG
COMIVIISSIONER
COIVIMISSI
IONER
Attest:
Nome
Dote
" \\ARNING: This fund is over budget
E DcpryOe* tr ClcrtofttrcBoard
P*OV
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Cassia County Commissioner Meeting
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