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minutes meeting date 2026-01-15 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 7872 characters · official file · plain text
POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 1 of 4 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Thursday, January 15, 2026 POWER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Meeting Minutes Commission Chambers 543 Bannock Ave. American Falls, ID 83211 www.powercounty.id.us Thursday, January 15, 2026, 9:00 a.m. I. CALL TO ORDER The Board of County Commissioners met in special session Thursday, January 15, 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: Dave Martinez Ryan Grayson Chet Taylor III. AGENDA A. MOTIONS: 1. Agenda: A motion to approve the special agenda for Thursday, January 15, 2026, was presented by Commissioner Krein with a second by Commissioner Povey. Following audible call of the Board, motion unanimously carried. 2. Resolution 2026-01 FY2026 Budget Changes: Commissioner Povey opened the meeting for Resolution 2026-01 A Resolution Accepting FY2026 Budget changes for the county at 9:01 am and roll call of attendance is as follows; • Commissioner Fehringer • Commissioner Povey • Commissioner Krein • Clerk Sharee Sprague • Prosecutor Brock Bischoff • Deputy Clerk Mariano Villa • Dave Martinez POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 2 of 4 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Thursday, January 15, 2026 • Chet Taylor Chairman Fehringer yielded the floor to Clerk Sharee Sprague for an outline of the Resolution before the Commission. Clerk Sharee Sprague announced that Resolution No. 2026-01 is before he Board of Power County Commissioners for consideration and authorization of adjustments to the FY2026 County and Ambulance District Budget in accordance with Idaho Code § 31-1605. Clerk Sprague reported that the adjustments include corrections to Waterways grant balances, reallocation of salary for Waterways personnel to allow for contract services, a reduction in the Local and Tribal Consistency Fund based on available cash, reallocation of salary and benefit savings to support Information Technology contract services, acceptance of grant and donation revenues, and reconciliation of employee recognition expenditures funded by PILT proceeds. Clerk Sprague advised that a summary of the changes have been emailed and inquired if printed copies are requested by the Board. Clerk Sprague advised all adjustments are supported by available funds and deposited revenues and that approval of the resolution does not result in any increase to property taxes. Clerk Sprague read Resolution 2026-01 into the record. Following reading of the resolution, Clerk Sprague advised that provided adjustments do not increase property taxes, Idaho Code 31- 1605 allows county commissioners to adjust budgets for unanticipated revenue, transfers between budget categories and corrections to properly classify expenditures. Clerk Sprague advised that Idaho Code 31-1605(2) requires revenues must be received or reasonably assured prior to budget increase and that the Resolution identify the source and amount. Clerk Sprague advises that transfers must remain within the legal fund purposes and require Board action. Clerk Sprague advises that grant adjustments match award balances, cannot exceed reimbursable limits and reflect validated commitments. Clerk Sprague reports that cash balance adjustments are appropriate to assure audit compliance and fiscal responsibility. Clerk Sprague certifies that all such requirements are clearly laid out in the proposed Resolution and yields the floor back to the Chairman. Following discussion, a motion to approve Resolution 2026-01 A Resolution Accepting FY2026 Budget changes for the county, was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Krein. Following audible call of the board, the motion unanimously carried. 3. Building & Grounds: The following items were discussed under building & grounds; Public Defender’s Office: State Public Defender, Dave Martinez appeared before the Commission to discuss rental space options for the public defender’s office. Mr. Martinez states that he acknowledges that space is limited in the courthouse and wants to find a space that works for all parties. Mr. Martinez states that he prefers to have an office not in the courthouse. The Commissioners and Mr. Martinez visited the extension office to determine if the space there was adequate for the public defender’s office. It was decided that this item would be addressed during the next board of county commissioners meeting. Museum: Chet Taylor presented a bid from Ralphs 208 Construction in the amount of $50,000 for rail and awning work for the museum building, as outlined in Estimate POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 3 of 4 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Thursday, January 15, 2026 #1153. Mr. Taylor also reported receiving an estimate from Duffy Construction; however, that bid was $4,000 higher than the bid from Ralphs 208 Construction. Mr. Taylor stated that Mr. Ralphs indicated his bid included a higher amount for contingency and protection, but he anticipates the final cost will be lower and any savings will be passed on to the county. Following discussion, a motion to accept the quote from Ralphs 208 Construction (Estimate #1153) in the amount of $50,000 for the rail and awning work for the museum building, to be paid from ARPA funds, with any cost savings returned to the county was presented by Commissioner Fehringer with a second by Commissioner Povey. Following audible call of the board, the motion unanimously carried. Chairman Fehringer stated that no demand check was authorized at this time; however, the county would be willing to provide a 50% down payment if required. Shared Services: Mr. Taylor advised the Board that smoke detectors need to be installed in the ambulance bay. As the county shares the building with the city Fire Department, the costs will be shared between the entities. The Commissioners decided to revisit this item at the next meeting. Prosecutor’s Office: Discussion was held regarding potential flooring renovations in the Prosecutor’s Office. Previous discussions had stalled due to high costs; however, the Commissioners stated that ARPA funds could be used for this project and agreed to further discuss the matter at the next meeting. IV. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 1. Executive Personnel Session I.C. 74-206(1)(b) 9:40 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 9:49 am. V. ASSESSMENTS/CONCLUSIONS: 1. Next Meeting: The next regular session for the board to meet is slated for February 9, 2026 2. Adjourn: Having no further business to come before the Board, a motion to adjourn was presented by Commissioner Povey with a second by Commissioner Fehringer. Following audible call of the Board, motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 10:21 am. The foregoing minutes were approved by the Board of County Commissioners during the Regular Board Meeting held February 9, 2026. POWER COUNTY COMMISSION Page 4 of 4 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES Thursday, January 15, 2026 ATTEST: MARIANO VILLA, Deputy Clerk __________________________________ COMMISSIONER FEHRINGER, Chairman
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