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minutes meeting date 2026-03-09 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 16539 characters · official file · plain text
POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 1 of 7 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Monday, March 9, 2026 POWER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Meeting Minutes Commission Chambers 543 Bannock Ave. American Falls, ID 83211 www.powercounty.id.us Monday, March 9, 2026, 9:00 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session Monday, March 9, 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: Jeff Rankin Andi Higgins Jacob Reiss Deanna Curry Chet Taylor Kasey Kendall Kami Chandler Ryan Grayson Brad Rogers Anthony Simerlink Darin Letzring Liliana Cardona Noelle Cummins Edwin Foranell Breana Mclean Lizzie Povey Rylee Thompson Gabe Taylor Marc Veitia Patt Sullivan III. AGENDA A. NOTICES/REPORTS 1. Public Comment: No public comments were given. 2. Elected Officials/Department Head Meeting: The following updates were given by the Elected Official’s and Department Heads: POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 2 of 7 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Monday, March 9, 2026 Sheriff’s Office: Sheriff Kendall is settling into the role and focusing on improvements and staffing. Two deputies will attend POST next month, and one dispatcher will attend academy training. Joint workshops with the Fire Department are planned. EMS: Chief Chandler states one paramedic position remains open, with internal interest. Advanced training opportunities are being discussed. Chief Chandler is now serving as Emergency Manager and will provide meeting updates. Treasurer’s Office: Coordination is underway regarding county credit card use. Commissioner Povey’s card will be used for server subscription charges. The office continues work on warrants of distraint and circuit breaker processing. Clerk’s Office: The office is preparing for elections, with new equipment received and ballot testing underway. Planning & Zoning: Several major projects are upcoming, with a busy month expected. Vacation time was approved pending coverage, and scheduling updates will be shared. IT: Website development is progressing. Sheriff’s Office devices have largely been deployed. New computers, licensing, and Starlink installations are improving operations. Budget projections were requested by the Commissioners, and discussions included remote access and memorandum updates. Prosecutor’s Office: A request was made for key fob access. The upcoming expiration of the Laser Xpress contract prompted discussion on vendor options and standardizing printer contracts. The preference is to avoid long-term commitments. A document review update was also provided. Building & Grounds: Departments may access surplus items in storage. Ongoing issues include electrical problems, a courthouse restroom repair, roof maintenance, and aging furnaces. Extension: Extension Agent Anthony Simerlink reported that an Advisory Committee meeting was held to identify community needs. A pesticide applicator course at the fairgrounds had 26 participants with a 70% pass rate and strong engagement. An archery day camp hosted 10 participants. Upcoming events include gardening workshops, CWMA classes, and additional pesticide trainings. Landfill: Director Jeff Rankin announced that a Tyler Technologies representative will visit the county to present on secure payment processing and invited interested parties to attend. Probation: Director Ryan Grayson reported that the Policy and Procedure Manual has been finalized. A staff member has been approved for POST training beginning in July, POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 3 of 7 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Monday, March 9, 2026 which will temporarily reduce staffing levels. The department continues to provide courtesy drug testing for state and out-of-county cases, while pretrial participants fund their own testing. Concerns were raised about the age and cost of the current printer lease. The department has requested four cameras and three panic buttons for the new office space. Judge Strong is seeking local community service project ideas; however, supervision remains a challenge. Director Grayson is exploring reestablishing the SKILL program to address this need and will coordinate with Sheriff Kendall. The work-release program is currently inactive. 3. Budget Workshop: No action was taken on this item. 4. Evolv Tech Security Discussion: The county reviewed its subscription to the Evolv weapons detection system, which is set to expire in June 2026. Ongoing performance issues were discussed, including unreliable detection features and system capabilities that have not functioned as intended despite service efforts. While the system offers advanced detection technology, concerns were raised about paying for features that are not fully operational. The renewal cost and overall value were questioned, particularly in comparison to standard metal detection systems. Representatives acknowledged the system has not been fully optimized and offered additional support to address deficiencies. Commissioners agreed to delay a renewal decision until further troubleshooting is completed and more information is provided. 5. M2 Security Discussion: M2 presented an alternative approach, recommending replacement of the Evolv system with a traditional metal detector. The proposed solution would involve a one-time installation of a conventional metal detection system integrated with existing camera infrastructure, with maintenance covered under current agreements. Additional security upgrades were discussed for other county facilities, including camera systems and access controls. The county will review a detailed proposal from M2 before making a final decision. 6. IT Update: IT staff reported significant improvements to the county’s camera systems, including upgraded connectivity using Starlink and consolidation into a centralized recording system. This change was driven by past service issues and aims to improve responsiveness while reducing costs. Commissioners emphasized the importance of redirecting savings toward staffing needs. IT also discussed plans to restructure its partnership with vendors, maintaining external support only where necessary, such as for high-liability systems. IT proposed testing Starlink technology for patrol vehicles to improve communication in remote areas, offering a no-cost trial before broader implementation. The department also requested approval to surplus outdated equipment, with commissioners directing staff to follow formal procedures and recycle non-valuable items appropriately. 7. Emergency Management Discussion: Emergency Management leadership transition updates were provided, along with a detailed overview of grant statuses and funding challenges. Several grants are pending or delayed due to federal processing issues, though active funding remains available for equipment and operations. Training efforts will include courses and system onboarding, while priority risks for the county were identified as drought, wildfire, and severe weather events. The long-term outlook for POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 4 of 7 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Monday, March 9, 2026 federal funding remains uncertain, and a routine monitoring review is expected within the next year. 8. FFA Presentation – Roadless Rule on Forest Management: Local FFA students presented research on national forest management policies, outlining arguments both for and against recent regulatory changes. The discussion highlighted environmental, economic, and cultural impacts, including wildfire risk, resource management, and tribal concerns. Students generally supported maintaining protections while recognizing the need for active forest management, connecting the issue to local concerns such as fire risk and water resources. 9. Pat Sullivan Legislative Update: A legislative update outlined ongoing budget reductions and key bills impacting local government operations. Lawmakers are advancing multiple measures affecting taxation, public notice requirements, and local authority. Concerns were raised about the volume of legislation and its potential impact on counties, with the session nearing adjournment. 10. Board Updates: The following board updates were reported; Herd District: The Commission decided to invite the Herd District board in for a future meeting. SICOG: Commissioner Povey reports that there is a meeting scheduled and will have further reports on the March 30th meeting. Fairgrounds: Commissioner Fehringer reports that the fair grounds will be holding a circus this summer and will provide further updates when they are available. 11. Bust N Moves Museum Contract Discussion: No action was taken on this item. The Commission encouraged Mr. Taylor to delegate more tasks to Bust-N-Moves employees, as stipulated in the agreement. B. MOTIONS: 1. Agenda: A motion to approve the agenda for Monday, March 9, 2026, was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Following audible call of the Board, motion unanimously carried. 2. Resolution 2026-06 A Resolution to Adopt State Travel Policy and Federal Per Diem Rates: A motion to approve Resolution 2026-06 in accordance with the State of Idaho Travel Policy to the County’s current year, with noted changes in section 6 of the policy, as submitted was presented by Commissioner Krein with a second by Commissioner Povey. Following audible call of the board, the motion unanimously carried. 3. Sheriff’s Update: Sheriff Kendall stated that communication breakdowns with vendors, staff turnover affecting billing handoffs, and confusion related to backordered invoicing during FY25 resulted in several outstanding bills that were recently discovered. The outstanding bills include $99.00 for training, $3,962.74 for mattresses, and $2,073.44 for uniforms and gear. Sheriff Kendall explained that paying these expenses from their dedicated budget lines would cause those lines to run into a deficit. It was discussed that, as additional outstanding bills may still be discovered, it would be more efficient to replenish the appropriate budget line once all outstanding expenses have been POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 5 of 7 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Monday, March 9, 2026 identified. Following discussion, a motion to pay the FY25 outstanding bills for training, mattresses and uniforms, to be paid from the FY26 budget, was presented by Commissioner Krein with a second by Commissioner Povey. Following audible call of the board, the motion unanimously carried. The Sheriff also reported on funding opportunities, including the FY 2026 Marine Patrol Agreement ($17,189 with a required match) pending signature, and a grant application for a 700 MHz radio upgrade project with no county match required, along with a potential state funding backup option. Additional updates included three patrol vehicles in upfitting, an upcoming jail inspection in April, and a needed safety repair to a recreation yard door. 4. Personnel: Payroll Clerk Lissette Aguirre reports the Power County Clerk’s office hired a part – time employee (Work Study Student) and requests Dolce Gonzalez receive $5,000 annually or $10.00 hourly as compensation for completion of assigned job duties. Following discussion, a motion to approve the salary approval report as submitted was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Following audible call of the board, the motion unanimously carried. 5. Consenting Agenda: A motion to approve the consenting agenda, and amend the minutes for 23rd as directed by the Commissioners was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Following audible call of the board, the motion unanimously carried. The following items were approved under the consenting agenda; Approval of Past Meeting Minutes: Minutes for Meeting’s held on February 23rd and March 2nd were approved. Claims: The following claims report was presented and approved; FUND Paid 0001 GENERAL FUND (CURRENT EXPENSE) $ 31,223.31 0004 POWER COUNTY AMBULANCE DIST. $ 14,733.76 0006 DISTRICT COURT $ 332.31 0008 JUSTICE FUND $ 6,217.34 0009 DRUG COURT $ 559.10 0010 ENHANCED 911 SERVICES $ 3,099.41 0011 HEALTH DISTRICT $ 363.25 0015 ELECTIONS $ 37,940.04 0020 REVALUATION $ 10,665.93 0023 SOLID WASTE (LANDFILL) $ 2,117.60 0027 WEEDS $ 57.73 0038 WATERWAYS $ 1,294.79 0039 MUSEUM $ 342.37 0041 AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT $ 8,967.77 0050 PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES $ 15,000.00 Total Amount Paid $ 132,914.71 6. Building & Grounds: Maintenance Manager, Chet Taylor, appeared before the Commission to discuss the following items; • Sheriff’s Office Furnace: Mr. Taylor stated that one of the furnaces at the POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 6 of 7 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Monday, March 9, 2026 Sheriff’s Office had failed. The estimated cost to replace the furnace would exceed $2,500. Mr. Taylor explained that an older unit from another building could potentially be repurposed; however, due to the installation costs and the age of that unit, Mr. Taylor and the Commissioners agreed that purchasing a new furnace would be a better option. Mr. Taylor received a verbal quote for a new furnace in the amount of $5,327.00. Following discussion, a motion to purchase a new furnace, to be paid out of fund 08-02-809-00, was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Following audible call of the board, the motion unanimously carried. No demand check was authorized as an invoice had not been submitted. • Prosecutor’s Office: Mr. Taylor states that he received 3 separate bids to install an ADA ramp at the Prosecutor’s office. Following discussion, a motion to accept the bid from EGR Builders in the amount of $8,212.00, contingent upon the contractor being properly bonded, to be paid out of ARPA funds, was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Following audible call of the board, the motion was unanimously carried. • Other Updates: Mr. Taylor states the breaker box is need along with wiring and will seek bids for this project. Wires going to wells goes above ground at the Fairgrounds and will have Pumpco look at it. Regarding the museum, the Commissioners directed Mr. Taylor to move the historical bulbs that are in front of the annex building inside the new museum building. Mr. Taylor states he has spoken to city representatives about patching the courthouse parking lot. Other updates included lawn care and sprinkler repairs. IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 1. Executive Personnel Session I.C. 74-206(1)(b) 1:00 pm: 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 1:09 pm. V. ASSESSMENTS/CONCLUSIONS: 1. Next Meeting: The next regular session for the board to meet is slated for March 30, 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 2:48 pm. The foregoing minutes were approved by the Board of County Commissioners during the Regular Board Meeting held April 13, 2026. POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 7 of 7 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Monday, March 9, 2026 ATTEST: MARIANO VILLA, Deputy Clerk __________________________________ COMMISSIONER FEHRINGER, Chairman
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