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10/26/26 County Commissioners Minutes

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APPROVED

COMMISSIONER MEETING OF October 26, 2026

The Caribou County Commissioners met in regular session on October 26, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Those in
attendance were:

Mark Mathews, Commissioner, Chairman Kathy Blum

Bryce Somsen, Commissioner Andy Blum

Marty McCullough, Commissioner Eric Hobson, Public Safety
George Hulse, Commissioner Elect Devin Elison, Atlas Consultants
Jill Stoor, Clerk Aaron Cook, Assessor

Doug Wood, Prosecutor Russ Roper, CCSO

Kevin McLain, Road & Bridge Ronni Athay, CCSO

J. Adam Mabey, Sheriff Matt Koster, LHTAC

Helen Barker, P&Z & Parks Senator Mark Harris

Rowdy Larkins, Building Inspector Lane Harris

Dwight Lloyd, Weed Control Angie Mendenhall, Treasurer
Shari Vedder Jenna Walker

Patty Anderson Landon Beck, Text My Gov
Darvian Warner ShaLayne Bartschi, Senior Center

MaLissa Barfuss
The meeting opened with Bryce Somsen leading the pledge of allegiance and prayer.

Kevin McLain, Road & Bridge:

e Kevin is working on the transportation plan with Jake at Keller Associates. They have decreased the lane miles
significantly; he presented the new version and asked for their signature on Task Order No. 09 for Transportation
Plan with Keller Associates, Inc.

Commissioner Somsen motioned to approve Keller Associates, Inc. Task Order #9 for the updates to the
Caribou County Transportation Plan that bring the costs down to $40,775.00. Commissioner McCullough
seconded the motion. Motion passed and Commissioner Mathews signed the agreement.

e Cannon Builders reached out to Kevin and asked if the county would be interested in purchasing used K rails at a
discounted price. They are willing to deliver them to the county; there are up to 1000 feet available at a cost of $15
per foot. The board agreed to purchase 2 truckloads.

e They were able to get the culvert up Lanes Creek installed this past week.

e Work is progressing on the shop in Soda.
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Commissioner Minutes 10-26-2026

Page 1

e Walt Engler is willing to plow snow in the Henry area. He asked if his son could cover when needed. Discussion was
held about revisions to the Grays Lake route. They will need to speak with Bonneville County to set those limits.
They have had a backhoe in the Diamond Creek and Slug Creek areas cleaning out culverts and providing drainage
for the coming winter.

e The City of Bancroft reached out to Kevin and stated they had filled out a right of way permit and would like to
accent the Welcome to Bancroft sign coming into town on Lund Road with a solar light. MaLissa Barfuss, 211 E
Davids Dr., came to argue the installation stating that it is on her property and the city does not own the sign. The
board wants Kevin to look at the right of way distances, and iron out the issues with the city before they move
forward.

Sheriff Mabey, Sheriff:

e There was discussion about the Alexander Reservoir. The Attorney General decided that the reservoir is a private
reservoir. Sheriff will be attending a meeting about an M.O.U. that would allow boating on the reservoir and an
agreement to patrol coming up in Boise. He will continue to gather information and keep the board apprized.
Commissioner Mathews stated that he was told that the only restriction PacifiCorp intends to add is for wake boats.

e Prosecutor is reviewing an agreement with Command Wellness. This will provide access to counseling and testing
opportunities for employees, spouses, and adolescent children privately at their own homes. If necessary, they could
be referred to a pier to work with them; if more is needed, they can be referred to more professional therapy
anonymously. $7,500 annually is the cost of the program and the Sheriff asked for the board to sign the agreement.
They also have voluntary tests available with incentives for those who participate.

Commissioner Somsen motioned to enter into an agreement with Command Licensing Agreement between
Radiant Interactive Group Inc. and the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office for an amount of $7,500 annually.
Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed and the agreement was signed.

e He has been reviewing policies and stated that they have 4 different policy books. He stated that the Idaho Policing
Policy Manual doesn’t cover a lot of what we need addressed. He has been looking into Lexipoll which provides 30
days of training for staff. He will continue to look into the program and the costs associated.

Commission Somsen motioned to convene an executive session pursuant to IC 74-206(b) at 9:42 a.m.
Commissioner Somsen seconded the motion. Commissioner Somsen voted aye, Commissioner Mathews
voted aye, Commissioner McCullough voted aye, and the session began at 9:43 a.m.

Commissioner Mathews suggested ending the executive session at 9:59 a.m. The purpose of the session
was informational and no decisions were made after the conclusion.

e The board asked about the leases with Bancorp. Sheriff stated that he has opted to extend the leases on the 5
vehicles that are overdue. There are also 2 that expire in December that will also be extended; he stated that it will
not impact the retail value. The board asked that he get the lease agreements to the board with information for the
auditor on how long he intents to keep the vehicle.

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Eric Hobson, Public Safety:

e Eric gave an update that the Bailey Creek fire mitigation project is complete. The full amount was used addition to in-
kind work. They have applied for a second phase in the Bailey Creek area that was not granted. Cedar View however
was approved.

e The 2025 SHSP money has been approved; the purchases have been made and are waiting for reimbursement. The
2026 funds have not been approved and he is not aware of any timelines yet.

e There was discussion on fire department staffing and the constant need for more volunteers.

Dwight Lloyd, Weed Control:

e Dwight shared a quote for repairs on the Dodge truck and the board told his to go ahead with the repairs.
e He would like to get the 825 Gator and the 425 Rancher either to auction or sold. They discussed both processes
and will move forward.

Ronni Athay, CCSO Civil Deputy:

Commissioner Somsen motioned to convene an executive session pursuant to I.C. 74-206(b) at 10:15 a.m.
Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Commissioner Somsen voted aye, Commissioner
Mathews voted aye, Commissioner McCullough voted aye, and the session began at 10:16 a.m.

Commissioner Somsen suggested ending the executive session at 10:32 a.m. No decisions were made.
TextMyGov, Landon Beck & Tommy Christopherson:

The board was given a presentation from TextMyGov on their product that would allow communication with county citizens
by text. Their product is designed specifically for government agencies to push information out to citizens. They also
have the ability to field frequently asked question by text. They can send out mass notifications including information
about road closures and issues, severe weather, elections, permits, tax dates, and more. They offer a database
enrollment that can get the county a good head start; they also provide geo-fence texting to send notices out to specific
areas. Unlimited support is provided as well as unlimited users. No app is required and people can opt in with a single
text. They can also add a widget to the county website for opting in to the messages. The board asked for a pricing
proposal to be presented at the next meeting.

8-Mile Bridge Project, LHTAC + Atlas Engineering:

Devin Elison from Atlas Engineering spoke to the progress of the project. This $4 million project has been in the works
for nearly three years with funding coming from the Leading Idaho Bridge Program. Tuesday there was a preconstruction
meeting where they went through the specifications and requirements to meet the funding for the project. The county
was informed of the timing on the bridge replacement project and Kevin notified the Clerk’s Office to post the information
on the county website and Facebook.

Concerns were heard from Shari Vedder, Jenna Walker, Patty Anderson. Devin along with Matt Koster from LHTAC
answered questions on timing and the need to work on the project during the winter months when water levels are low

Commissioner Minutes 10-26-2026

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and irrigation is not active. They answered questions about plowing; stating that the county has reached out to Bear Lake
County who will be taking care of the detour route on Nounan Road. All agreed that the bridge needs to be replaced but
expressed frustration with communication. Contact numbers were given and are available through Kevin McLain and the
Clerk’s Office for further concerns. Paving will take place most likely in April, however the bridge will be open as soon as
they are able; hopefully in March. The schedule has been looked at pretty extensively and 90 days is a realistic timeline.

Residents were assured that they are committed to building them a great bridge similar to the Bailey Creek Bridge and
they will work to improve communications.

ShaLayne Bartschi, Senior Center:

e Shalayne presented an estimate from CAB Straight Forward Auto for work needing to be done on the 2005 Chevrolet
Colorado that is being used for their Meals on Wheels program. The board agreed to go ahead with the work on the
axle, window motor, and alignment. She urged the board to keep the Senior Center in mind when trading off vehicles
for the possibility of a replacement.

Doug Wood, Prosecutor:

e Doug told of a trespassing citation from the Fish and Game Officer on King Creek Road. Discussion continued on
the need for clarification on county roads and public access to BLM and Forest Service lands.

Jill Stoor, Clerk:

e Kathy Stibal-Tueller has requested the use of opioid funds from the 3 counties that she assists with treatment court.
She is wanting to attend a Treatment Court Coordinator conference and the total cost should be just under $3,000.

Commissioner Somsen motioned to approve up to $1,000 to cover costs for Kathy Stibal-Tueller to attend a
conference from opioid settlement funds. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion and the motion
passed.

e Jill presented Resolution 2026-07 to update the mileage rate to $0.76 to follow the IRS rate.

Commissioner Somsen motioned to approve Caribou County Resolution 2027-07, a resolution setting the
reimbursement for travel mileage for authorized work-related duties of Caribou County. Commissioner
McCullough seconded the motion. The motion passed and the resolution was signed.

e Resolution 2026-08 was then presented. The resolution sites Idaho Code 31-871 on the classification and retention
of records. Schedule “A” was included naming the county records that need authorization to destroy.

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve Caribou County Resolution 2026-08, a resolution for
authorization to destroy county records. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion and the motion
passed. The board then signed the resolution.

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Commissioner Minutes 10-26-2026

Page 4

She shared the letter from the Idaho State Tax Commission requesting the anticipated changes to the levies for
Bancroft Cemetery, Freedom Fire, and Grace Library Districts. All three districts are out of compliance with the central
registry of the State Controller's Office.

Other:

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to accept the agenda for 10/26/2026 with the addition of the Matt
Koster from LHTAC. Commissioner Mathews seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve the minutes of 10/12/2026 as presented, the claims
approval report in the amount of $506,482.58 including remittances dated 10/22/2026 and the payroll claims
in the amount of $235,060.86 for 10/16/2026. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion
passed unanimously.

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to appoint Jeremiah Sears and Lara Christensen to the Caribou
County Fair Board. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion and the motion passed. They will be
sworn in at the next meeting on November 2nd.

The meeting adjourned at 12:22 p.m. The Caribou County Board of Commissioners will meet again on November 9,
2026 at 9:00 a.m. for a regular meeting.

Signed: Mark Mathews, Commissioner Chair Attest: Jill Stoor, Clerk

Commissioner Minutes 10-26-2026

Page 5

Approved Payment of Bills

Oct. 26, 2026

Payroll

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511,790.4
ILT $38,138.5
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3592.9
$1769

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54275
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$12,692.8

Grand Total] $506,482.5 $235,060.8

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