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minutes meeting date 2026-08-03 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 21597 characters · official file · plain text
POWER COUNTY COMMISSION
Page 1 of 9
REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
Monday, August 3, 2026
POWER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Meeting Minutes
Commission Chambers
543 Bannock Ave.
American Falls, ID 83211
www.powercounty.id.us
Monday, August 3, 2026, 9:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session Monday, August 3, 2026, and called
the meeting to order at the hour of 9:00 am, in the Commission Chambers of the Power County
Courthouse.
II. COMMISSIONERS/STAFF
PRESENT:
Commissioner Chris Fehringer, Chair
Commissioner Kryst Krein
Commissioner Jason Povey
ABSENT:
None
STAFF:
Sharee Sprague, Clerk
Mariano Villa, Deputy Clerk
Brock Bischoff, Legal Counsel
OTHER PARTIES PRESENT:
Kami Chandler
Macie Evans
Kasey Kendall
Ryan Grayson
Leon Letson
Nathan Murray
Laura Porath
Stace Gearhart
Deanna Curry
Chairty Staggs
Kristen Jensen
Aaron Menenberg
III. AGENDA
A. NOTICES/REPORTS
1. Public Comment: No public comment was given.
2. Idaho Power Update: Representatives from Idaho Power provided an overview of the
utility's rapid growth, energy portfolio, reliability, and future resource planning. The
company outlined expected expansion driven by residential, commercial, and industrial
demand while discussing planned investments in additional generation and battery
storage. Commissioner Krein raised concerns regarding the distribution of property tax
revenues under the new kilowatt-hour tax structure. The group also discussed future
collaboration on potential energy projects and facility sitting within Power County.
3. Assessor’s Office Operating Schedule: The Board reviewed a proposal from the
Assessor's Office to change courthouse public hours to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to
improve public access. Department heads generally supported the proposal; however,
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REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
Monday, August 3, 2026
concerns were raised regarding courthouse security staffing and associated budget
impacts. The matter was tabled for further discussion during budget deliberations.
4. SICOG and Annex Demolition Update: Charity Staggs provided a SICOG update
regarding the annex demolition project and Brownfield process. Progress continues
with EPA and DEQ coordination, and discussions remain ongoing with the State Historic
Preservation Office concerning a required courthouse historic structure survey, which
the Commission state was going to be paid for by the EPA. Ms. Staggs states she will
look to see if we can add this to the MOA. The county must also maintain a preservation
plan demonstrating continued courthouse improvements. Demolition remains targeted
for late October or early November, pending regulatory approvals. Ms. Staggs also
noted that the annual SICOG contract would be presented at a future meeting.
Commissioners stressed the need to publish the demolition date before demolition
begins.
5. Renewable Northwest: Aaron Menenberg, Idaho Policy Manager for Renewable
Northwest, presented an overview of the organization and provided comments on the
county's proposed renewable energy ordinance. Renewable Northwest represents
renewable energy developers, major energy users, and industry partners throughout
the Northwest. Mr. Menenberg noted Idaho Power's projected annual energy demand
growth through 2030, citing rapid population and economic growth as key drivers and
emphasizing the importance of expanding energy resources to support future
development. Mr. Menenberg provided several recommendations regarding the
proposed wind energy ordinance. He suggested extending the current two-year Special
Use Permit timeline and twelve-month construction commencement requirement to
better reflect typical project development schedules. He also recommended defining
"reasonable cause" for permit extensions more clearly, clarifying the process when
state agencies do not provide timely responses, and adjusting the sequencing of wildlife
consultations to avoid unnecessary delays or duplicate public hearings. Additional
comments addressed transmission infrastructure and battery energy storage. Mr.
Menenberg explained that underground transmission is substantially more expensive
than overhead construction and expressed concern that certain landowner consent
requirements and environmental study timelines could hinder project development. He
also encouraged the county to establish ordinance provisions for battery energy storage
systems, noting Idaho Power's planned expansion of battery storage resources.
Regarding agricultural land, he recommended a more flexible approach that balances
renewable energy development with private property rights. Renewable Northwest
offered to provide written comments, proposed ordinance revisions, and future
technical discussions with developers as the county continues refining its renewable
energy regulations. Kristen Jensen discussed the importance of adopting clear and well-
defined ordinances to guide future development, noting that Idaho continues to be
viewed as an attractive location for new projects. She stressed the value of having
established policies to support decision-making. Ms. Jensen also expressed support for
Bannock County's temporary moratorium on data center development, stating that it
provides additional time to develop thoughtful regulations. Drawing on her experience
working with Idaho Power on the Gateway West Project, she emphasized the
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REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
Monday, August 3, 2026
importance of proactive planning as energy development continues to expand
throughout the region.
6. Building & Grounds: The Board discussed restructuring responsibilities by expanding
and covering multiple positions including county weed management while utilizing the
existing weed budget to hire part-time seasonal assistance. Commissioners also agreed
that specialized maintenance work should continue to be contracted when appropriate.
A maintenance request for replacement of a sprinkler box cover at the Prosecutor's
Office would be relayed to the Maintenance Director. The Board discussed a proposed
letter of support related to a landfill grant application and an upcoming site visit
scheduled for August 12. The Board also discussed the planned site visit with Henry
Dahl from Congressman Mike Simpson's office, who expressed interest in touring the
landfill to better understand the project's needs. It was noted that additional
participation from the offices of Senators Risch and Crapo may also be coordinated.
Commissioners expressed support for the visit, although the specific meeting time had
not yet been finalized. Clerk Sprague offered assistance in preparing a revised letter of
support, and the Board agreed to follow up on both the letter and the site visit details.
7. Board Updates: The following board updates were given;
LEPSI – Commissioner Krein states that there is a need to establish a formal emergency
management policy that clearly defines the Emergency Manager’s authority, spending
authority, and role during emergencies. Discussion covered the incident command
structure, emergency declaration authority, and whether the emergency manager
should have access to contingency funds for immediate response. The board agreed
that a written policy is needed to clarify responsibilities and ensure timely action during
emergencies. It was agreed that this item would be discussed during the next
Commissioner’s meeting.
Fair Board – Commissioner Fehringer states the fair board have a scheduled upcoming
meeting to discuss fair improvements.
Planning & Zoning – Commissioner Krein states that he will meet on a weekly basis with
acting administrator Kim Piper.
8. Commissioner’s Business Discussion as Needed: No discussion was held for this item.
B. MOTIONS:
1. Agenda: A motion to approve the agenda for Monday, August 3, 2026, was presented
by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Following audible call of
the Board, motion unanimously carried.
2. Convene as Ambulance District Board at 9:17 am: A motion to adjourn as the Power
County Board of County Commissioners and convene as the Power County
Ambulance District Board was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by
Commissioner Krein. Following an audible call of the board, the motion
unanimously carried.
3. Power County Ambulance Administration & Financial Report: Director Kami Chandler
appeared before the Board and presented the accounts receivable reports for the date
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Monday, August 3, 2026
ending June 2026. Director Kami Chandler presented the Power County Ambulance
Administration and Financial Report, including the June 2026 accounts receivable report
and ambulance activity. During June, the department responded to 42 billable and 36
non-billable calls, including 16 BLS and 26 ALS responses, seven inter-facility transports,
and three treat-and-release cases. Most patients were transported to Power County
Hospital or Portneuf Medical Center. Due to the closure of Acute Rescue, the
department completed four additional transports in June, generating over $8,800 in
additional billings, with another ten extra transports completed in July. The new
ambulance has been delivered to the station and is awaiting equipment installation and
exterior graphics. Discussion centered on funding the interior equipment during the
upcoming budget process. Staffing challenges for ALS transports were also discussed,
with consideration given to creating a paid-per-call incentive for paramedics. Additional
updates included revisions to the ambulance fee schedule to include extrication fees,
notification that the state's QRU grant was denied, and submission of a SICOG grant
application.
On a personnel matter, the Ambulance District states that they will transition Jesse
Johnston to a PRN no benefits employee, and requests that Mr. Johnston receive
$21,294.00 annually or $21.00 hourly as compensation for completion of assigned job
duties. A motion to approve the salary approval form Jesse Johnston for a PRN
paramedic was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner
Krein. Following audible all of the board, the motion unanimously carried.
Following discussion, a motion to accept the Financial Reports as submitted was
presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Following
audible call of the Board, motion unanimously carried.
4. Reconvene as Board of County Commissioners at 9:45 am: A motion to adjourn as the
Power County Ambulance District Board and reconvene as the Power County
Commissioners was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner
Krein. Following an audible call of the board, the motion unanimously carried.
5. Sheriff’s Office Update and Approvals: The following items were discussed under the
Sheriff’s Office Update:
1. Bancorp - A lease agreement for a new Toyota Tundra was discussed. Higher-
than-anticipated vehicle upfit costs increased the proposed lease payment, and
the Board considered paying the additional expense separately from the lease.
Legal guidance requiring annual lease renewal remains under review with
Bancorp, and no action was taken.
2. Sheriff’s Office App – Sheriff Kendall stated that the agreement was reviewed
by legal and modifications were made. Sheriff Kendall also states that he has
received confirmation that the Southeast Idaho Public Health District will fund
the full cost of the Sheriff's Office mobile application, including the recent price
increase, as documented in written correspondence from Maggie Mann. He
also noted that funding in future years will depend upon the Board's decision
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Monday, August 3, 2026
regarding the allocation of opioid settlement funds. Following discussion, a
motion to approve the Sheriff’s App agreement in the amount of $6,578.00,
which will be paid through the Southern Idaho Public Health District, was
presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein.
Following audible call of the board, the motion unanimously carried.
3. Travel/Training’s: Sheriff Kendall updated the Commissioner’s on three
employee’s who would be sent to POST in September. Discussions took place
on travel reimbursements if the individuals used their own vehicles. Following
the policy, a motion to approve 1 round trip mileage reimbursement for each
deputy attending POST training was presented by Commissioner Povey with a
second by Commissioner Krein. Following audible call of the board, the motion
unanimously carried.
4. Radio Issues/Tour: The Sheriff informed the Board that a representative from
Congressman Mike Simpson's office would be visiting southeast Idaho and is
expected to stop in the county later that week. During the visit, the Sheriff's
Office plans to provide a tour of the dispatch center, server room, and
communications equipment. The tour will include a detailed overview of the
county's radio system challenges. The purpose of the visit is to highlight the
county's infrastructure needs and explore potential funding opportunities to
improve the radio system.
6. State Juvenile Passthrough Funding Agreement & Updates: Ryan Grayson and Stace
Gearhart presented the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections Pass-Through
Funding Agreement. The annual agreement replaces the previous two-year
memorandum format and transitions reporting to the state fiscal year. Lottery funds are
no longer included in the agreement. Following discussion regarding reporting
deadlines, a motion to approve the Idaho Department Passthrough funds recipient
agreement was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner
Krein. Following audible call of the board, the motion unanimously carried.
7.
Consenting Agenda: Following discussion, a motion to approve the consenting agenda
with amendments to the claim was presented by Commissioner Krein with a second by
Commissioner Povey. Following an audible call of the board, the motion
unanimously carried. The Board approved to use e-signatures on signature lines for the
documents approved under the consenting agenda. The following items were
approved under the consenting agenda;
Approval of Past Meeting Minutes: Minutes for meetings held on July 13, 2026, July
22, 2026 and July 24, 2026, were approved. Commissioner Fehringer authorized use of
E-Signature for the minutes.
Claims: The following claims report was approved;
FUND
Paid
POWER COUNTY COMMISSION
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REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
Monday, August 3, 2026
0001 GENERAL FUND (CURRENT
EXPENSE)
$
381,748.55
0003 FAIR BOARD
$
501.10
0004 POWER COUNTY AMBULANCE
DIST.
$
12,202.36
0005 POWER COUNTY ABATEMENT
DIST.
$
16,060.00
0006 DISTRICT COURT
$
1,381.66
0008 JUSTICE FUND
$
47,203.50
0009 DRUG COURT
$
1,563.55
0010 ENHANCED 911 SERVICES
$
1,926.54
0011 HEALTH DISTRICT
$
777.26
0015 ELECTIONS
$
15,143.49
0020 REVALUATION
$
84.78
0023 SOLID WASTE (LANDFILL)
$
88,805.57
0027 WEEDS
$
508.82
0038 WATERWAYS
$
773.72
0039 MUSEUM
$
638.92
0050 PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES
$
1,300.80
0051 BOND – WATER RIGHTS
$
344,438.75
Total Amount Paid
$
915,059.37
Treasurer Update: Treasurer submitted to the Board with an LGIP monthly statement,
Treasurer’s Cash and Joint Month End Report ending June 2026. Reports were
discussed, reviewed and approved by the Board.
8.
Personnel: Payroll Clerk Lissette Aguirre reports that Andrea Higgins has resigned from
the Building Administrator. Ms. Aguirre advises that the employee is eligible for
separation benefits as follows;
• 0 hours of Compensation pay for a total of $0
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• 65.88 hours of Vacation pay for a total of $2,436.24
• 80 hours worked during the last payroll for a total of $2,958.40
• Employee is eligible for (3) month(s)COBRA Insurance Coverage through the
County
• Total Payout Due: $5,394.64
Following discussion, a motion to approve the payout due to Andrea Higgins in
the amount of $5,394.64 and COBRA eligibility for 3 months was presented by
Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Following audible
call of the board, the motion unanimously carried.
• The Sheriff's Department and requests Noah Bake receive $47,840.00 annually
or $23.00 hourly as compensation for completion of assigned job duties.
• The Sheriff's Department will transition Deputy Callin Cardona from Patrol to
Detective and requests that Cardona receive $56,160.00 annually or $27.00
hourly as compensation for completion of assigned job duties.
• The Sheriff's Department will transition Devan Funk from Dispatch to Patrol and
requests that Funk receive $49,649.60 annually or $23.87 hourly as
compensation for completion of assigned job duties.
• The Sheriff's Department would like to hire an employee to fill a vacant position
and request receive $50,086.40 annually or $24.08 hourly as compensation for
completion of assigned job duties.
• The Power County Ambulance will transition Jesse Johnston to a PRN no benefits
employee, and request that Johnston receive $21,294.00 annually or $21.00
hourly as compensation for completion of assigned job duties.
Payroll Clerk Lissette Aguirre reports Sheriff Kasey Kendall is eligible for a benefit
payout as he has transitioned from Chief Deputy to Sheriff. Ms. Aguirre advises
that the employee is eligible for separation benefits as follows;
• 55 hours of Compensation pay for a total of $1,760.00
• 142 hours of Vacation pay for a total of $4,544.00
• 0 hours worked during the last payroll for a total of $0
• Employee is eligible for (15) month(s)COBRA Insurance Coverage through the
County post-employment.
Following discussion, a motion to approve the personnel as submitted was presented by
Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Following audible call of the
board, the motion unanimously carried.
9. Indigent Burial Application: A motion to approve the burial assistance application for
Roberta Johnson for $1,200.00 was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by
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Monday, August 3, 2026
Commissioner Krein. Following audible call of the board, the motion was unanimously
carried.
10. Elevator Tech Support Agreement: The Board considered the Elevator Tech Support
Agreement following discovery that the required five-year elevator inspection had been
missed due to the absence of a current service contract. The missed inspection resulted
in a potential state civil penalty. Following discussion, a motion to approve the
agreement and amend the payment language to reflect 100 percent of the quoted
contract amount of $2,757.89 would be paid, not 2757.89%, was presented by
Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Following audible call of the
board, the motion unanimously carried.
11. Ada County Coroner: This item was discussed and approved under the claims report.
C. POINTS OF ORDER:
1. Budget Workshop: Tabled to the next special budget meeting.
IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
1.
Executive Personnel Session I.C. 74-206(1)(b) 9:33 am: A motion to enter into
executive session to consider personnel actions pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b)
was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Deputy
Clerk Mariano Villa conducted roll call on the motion;
•
Commissioner Povey, AYE
•
Commissioner Krein, AYE
•
Commissioner Fehringer, AYE
Following roll call of the Board, motion unanimously carried. Upon conclusion of
discussion, Commissioner Fehringer declared the meeting open at 9:44 am.
2.
Executive Personnel Session I.C. 74-206(1)(b) 11:35 am: A motion to enter into
executive session to consider personnel actions pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b)
was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Deputy
Clerk Mariano Villa conducted roll call on the motion;
•
Commissioner Povey, AYE
•
Commissioner Krein, AYE
•
Commissioner Fehringer, AYE
Following roll call of the Board, motion unanimously carried. Upon conclusion of
discussion, Commissioner Fehringer declared the meeting open at 11:47 am.
V. ASSESSMENTS/CONCLUSIONS:
1. Next Meeting: The next regular session for the board to meet is slated for August 24,
2026
2. Adjourn: Having no further business to come before the Board, a motion to adjourn
was presented by Commissioner Fehringer with a second by Commissioner Krein.
Following audible call of the Board, motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at
1:12 pm.
The foregoing minutes were approved by the Board of County Commissioners during the Regular
Board Meeting held August 10, 2026.
POWER COUNTY COMMISSION
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REGULAR SESSION MINUTES
Monday, August 3, 2026
ATTEST:
MARIANO VILLA, Deputy Clerk
__________________________________
COMMISSIONER FEHRINGER, Chairman
Mariano Villa Jr.
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