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minutes meeting date 2026-04-03 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 5352 characters · official file · plain text
POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 1 of 3 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Friday, April 3, 2026 POWER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Meeting Minutes Commission Chambers 543 Bannock Ave. American Falls, ID 83211 www.powercounty.id.us Friday, April 3, 2026, 8:00 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER The Board of County Commissioners met in special session Friday, April 3, 2026, and called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:00 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: Jeff Rankin Elizabeth Tischendorf III. AGENDA A. NOTICES/REPORTS 1. Landfill Discussion: The Commissioners and staff discussed the landfill’s ongoing financial challenges, noting that current residential fees are insufficient to sustain operations. Significant cost increases beginning in 2027, estimated at approximately $725,000 annually, will further impact the fund. To address this, Commissioners considered raising annual residential fees, an increase to construction and demolition (C&D) rates due to rising costs and limited remaining capacity in the current pit. Additional considerations included establishing higher out-of-county rates and addressing the delay in revenue collection due to billing cycles. Infrastructure and long- term needs were also reviewed, including lining the C&D pit, installing scales, evaluating equipment such as a shredder, and planning for eventual landfill closure requirements. A grant application is being pursued to help offset these costs. Broader discussion included the need to expand the tax base through economic development while balancing impacts to residents and maintaining essential services. Next Steps POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 2 of 3 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Friday, April 3, 2026 • Submit grant application with required documentation by April 14 • Schedule shredder demonstration • Obtain cost estimates for lining the C&D pit • Prepare a timeline for rate increases, revenue collection, and expenditures • Implement C&D rate increase • Establish out-of-county rate policy • Schedule public hearing with supporting financial projections 2. Personnel: Landfill Director Jeff submitted a request to reduce weekly work hours (40- 32) due to ongoing health-related concerns, while maintaining full-time status and compensation. The proposal includes utilizing accrued leave to offset reduced hours, while remaining available as needed to ensure operational continuity. A modified work schedule was discussed, along with the ability to provide additional coverage during peak or urgent situations. The Commissioners reviewed the request and expressed full support, emphasizing trust in the Mr. Rankins ability to manage responsibilities and schedule appropriately. It was noted that current policy does not require formal approval for such adjustments beyond Board notification. The discussion also highlighted the benefit of providing opportunities for other staff to assume increased responsibilities as part of ongoing succession planning. B. MOTIONS: 1. Agenda: A motion to approve the agenda for Friday, April 3, 2026, was presented by Commissioner Krein with a second by Commissioner Povey. Following audible call of the Board, motion unanimously carried. 2. Building & Grounds: Discussions were held regarding current renovations for the Prosecutor’s Office. EJR Builders, LLC submitted a bid for deck removal and concrete work. Total amount for the bid is $3,400.00. Following discussion, a motion to approve the bid from EJR Builders in the amount of $3,400.00, to be paid from ARPA funds was presented by Commissioner Krein with a second by Commissioner Povey. Following audible call of the board, the motion unanimously carried. No demand check was authorized. IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 1. Executive Personnel Session I.C. 74-206(1)(b) 9:26 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 10:19 am. V. ASSESSMENTS/CONCLUSIONS: 1. Next Meeting: The next regular session for the board to meet is slated for April 13, 2026 POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 3 of 3 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Friday, April 3, 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 Povey. Following audible call of the Board, motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 10:18 am. The foregoing minutes were approved by the Board of County Commissioners during the Regular Board Meeting held April 13, 2026. ATTEST: MARIANO VILLA, Deputy Clerk __________________________________ COMMISSIONER FEHRINGER, Chairman
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