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minutes meeting date 2025-09-22 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 15618 characters · official file · plain text
Cassia County Board of Commissioners
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, September 22, 2025
Cossio County Courthouse . Commission Chombers
7459 Ove and Ave. Room 206. Burley lD 83378
9:00 AM The Cassia County Board of Commissioners met today at the place and time as posted by agenda
pursuant to ldaho Code 5 74-204 for Open Meetings Law.
9:21 AM Motion and Action: Approve the payables in the amount of 5123,833.05 as presented on 9/22/2025,
Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Leonard Beck - Chair. Motion passed unanimously.
9:20 AM Assistant to the Board Kerry McMurray joined the meeting
5) 9:22AMApproval of Clerk's Office recommendations regarding junior college Certificates of Residency
9:23 AM Motion and Action: Approve Clerk's Office recommendations to approve one and deny four junior
college Certificates of Residency as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle -
Member. Motion passed unanimously.
7) 3:42 PM Personnel Matters - Chan8e ofStatus Requests
a) Noxious Weed and Pest - Melissa McMurray - seasonal weed tech - termination
b) Extension Office - Samantha Oliver - part-time secretary - termination
c) CCSO - Nicole Zalewski - corporal patrol (city) - voluntary resiSnation
d) CCSO - Robert Taylor - part-time bailiff - voluntary resignation
e) Treasurer - Madeline Yearsley - part-time deputy treasurer - termination
0 CCSO - Nicole Zalewski - part-time patrol - new hire
g) CCSO - Bryson Pursifull - uncertified patrol deputy (city) - transfer
h) CCSO - Garrett Espinosa - senior patrol deputy (county) - promotion
i) CCSO - Klay Kunzler - corporal patrol (city)- promotion
j) MccJC - Carmen Fuentes - uncertified detention deputy - cost of living
lnstrument # 2025003903
BURIEY, CASSI,A, IDAK)
10-16-2025
Recorded for
02:42:34 PM No. ol Pages: 8
casstA couNw coMMlssloNERs
JOSEPH LARSEN
Er4ffcio Recorder Oeputy
l lPage
rnd.x to:co MlssloNERs MINUTES
Fee:0.00 q
ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1) 9:00 AM Call to order
2) Pledge of Allegiance and prayer
3) 9:02 AM Roll call
Roll Call.
Present: Leonard M. Beck - Chair, Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Ricki Tkachyk - Deputy Clerk
(Not voting)
4) 9:02 AM Calendar, meetings, committee reports, and correspondence were reviewed.
5) 9:21AM Approve payables for 9/22/2025
cAssrA couNw coMMtsstoN
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, Septembet 22, 2025
k) CCSO - Daniel Renz- part-time deputy patrol officer-costof living
l) CCSO - Antonio Bernad - part-time deputy patrol officer - cost of living
m) MCCIC - Katherine Vincent - part-time detention deputy - cost of living
3:43 PM Motion and Action: Approve change of status requests as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member,
Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
8) Executive Sessions
9:05 AM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 574-206 (1) (b) to consider
personnel issues, and ldaho Code 5 74-206 (1) (i) to communicate with risk manager/insurer regarding
pending/imminently-likely claims.
Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 3). Yes: Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau -
Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
9:20 AM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement
10:17 AM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 5 7 4-206 (1],(i) to communicate
with risk manager/insurer regarding pending/imminently-likely claims,
Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Leonard Beck - Chair. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call
vote (summary: Yes = 2). Yes: Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
10:37 AM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement
2:50 PM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 574-206 (1) (b) to consider
personnel issues and ldaho Code $ 74-206 (1) (d) to consider records that are exempt from public disclosure,
Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll
call vote (summary: Yes = 3). Yes: Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
3:42 PM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement.
9) 9:26 AM Sign the Cooperative Agreement for University of ldaho Extension Programs
9:27 AM Motion and Action: Approve the presented agreement with the University of ldaho Extension office,
Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
SCHEDULED ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
10) 9:32 AM Review and approve invoice for hardware and software services and maintenance from Motorola
for Cassia County Sheriff's Office
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUTAR SESSION
Monday, September 22, 2025
2lFage
a) The Board discussed the first Flex hardware payment of 5220,685.50. They agreed to use S200,000.00
from the sheriff's budget and 520,685.50 from the 911 fund. Future payments would shift more costs to
911, which had not budgeted for this year but would in the next.
b) Maintenance costs starting in fiscal year 2027 would total about 575,000.00 annually and be split
between the sheriff's office and 911. The same full payment amount would repeat in FY2025 and
FY2026.
9:37 AM Motion and Action: Approve the expenditures of 5220,685.50 and $200,000.00 of that will come from
the Sheriffs FY2025 budget, and 520,685.50 would come from the 911 FY2025 budget, for hardware and
software services and maintenance from Motorola for Cassia County Sheriffs Office as presented, Moved by
Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
10:40 AM Prosecutor McCord Larsen joined the meeting.
1.1) 10:41 AM Review and approve L-1 Certificate of Levies
a) The Board reviewed the proposed L-1 certificate and levy figures. These numbers were provisional and
would be finalized by the state in October after compliance checks.
b) Commissioners noted that the levy rates appeared to be slightly lower than those of the previous year.
10:44 AM Motion and Action: Approve L-l Certificate of Levies as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member,
Seconded by Leonard Beck - Chair. Motion passed unanimously.
12) 10:46 AM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code E 74-206 (1) (b) - to discuss
personnel matters and (d)- to consider records exempt from public disclosure, Moved by Bob Kunau -
Member, Seconded by Leonard Beck - Chair. Motion passed unanimously. vote: Motion carried by
unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 2). Yes: Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
1L:24 AM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter u nder advisement.
13) 11:25 AM Discussion regarding policy, benefits, and open enrollment meetings
a) The Audito/s Office suggested making open enrollment meetings mandatory to boost attendance.
Employees would be paid for attending and informed beforehand. Three sessions would be scheduled
for convenience, with recordings available online for those unable to attend one of the in-person
sessions. Remote participants would be required to confirm their attendance.
b) Clarification is needed on policies for employees who use up their accruals and fall below the minimum
required hours for benefits, including whether hours should be averaged over two weeks.
c) Time card submission issues will be discussed at the next department head meeting.
14) 11:39 AM Reports of Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
a) John Elliott reported a few small fires and low fuel moisture in Goose Creek and Jim Sage.
b) BLM continues with their fuel reduction projects, targeting 3,400 acres for treatment.
c) Grazing efforts near Milner have made good progress, with cooperators supplying water and removing
1,000 AUMs. All allotments remained full-term this fall.
d) Staffing remains limited due to a hiring freeze.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, Septembet 22, 2025
3lPage
11:44 AM Motion and Action: Enter into a lunch recess and to reconvene at 1:30 PM in Minidoka County
Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Leonard Beck - Chair. Motion passed,
15) 1:30 PM Joint meeting with Minidoka County
A joint meeting was held at the Minidoka County Courthouse, 715 G St, Rupert, lD.
Cassia Present: Leonard M Beck - Chair, Kent R. Searle - Commissioner, Bob Kunau - Commissioner,
Mccord Larsen - Prosecuting Attorney, Jarrod Thompson - Sheriff, Joseph W. Larsen - Clerk,
Kerry McMurray - Assistant to the Board, Kevin Horak - Undersheriff, Amber Prewitt - Adult
Misdemeanor Probation Director, and Sharene Ahlin - Deputy Clerk.
Minidoka Present: Jared Orton - Commissioner, Sheryl Koyle - Commissioner, Dan Schaeffer -
Commissioner, Tonya Page - Clerk, Dixie Tate - Juvenile Probation Director, Mitzi Ramsey - Deputy Clerk,
Dana Yates - Deputy Clerk, and Trent Bodily - Juvenile Detention Center Director.
a) Public Defender's Office Contract
i) The contractual agreement for the relocation of the Mini-Cassia Public Defender's Office was
discussed, noting that there was clarification needed for some provisions. Details of some costs from
Five One lnvestments Company will be necessary before acceptance ofthe agreement.
ii) A list of questions was discussed and will be presented to Five One lnvestments principal, Tom King,
to finalize the agreement to be accepted by the joint boards.
b) Juvenile Detention Center discussion
i) Minidoka Commission Chair, Jared Orton stated that Minidoka County would like to continue the
Mini-Cassia Juvenile Detention Center as a joint venture. He provided proposed costs to the Cassia
County Commissioners with various options to assist in reducing operating costs.
ii) They proposed scaling back to an eight-bed facility. Such a move could eliminate five to six
employee positions. They do anticipate having to hire some part time employees to fill in. Juvenile
Detention Center Director Trent Bodily expressed concern that they had tried to utilize part time
employees in the past and that it had been difficult to maintain sufficient staffing. He recommended
the elimination of three full time positions.
iii) Orton stated employees of the detention center had expressed concerns that if a n agreement
wasn't reached soon that they may not retain sufficient staff to keep the facility running through the
end of the fiscal year. Orton stated that the employees had opted for a 2% cost of living increase
even though the joint boards had approved an 8% cost of living increase for their department to
assist with needed operational cost reductions. He suggested that a long-term commitment would
be preferred if the desire of both counties is to keep the facility operating.
iv) Orton stated that the original offer from Twin Falls County for contracted juvenile detention services
at a rate of 5230.00 per day initially seemed good, but after analysis they did not feel it to be
beneficial overall. He noted that there are other concerns beyond just the costs involved, such as
housing the youth with more hardened criminals, transportation, family visits, serving discretionary
days, and the public defender's preference for working face-to-face with the youth as opposed to
virtual meetings.
v) Searle discussed that they have inspected the Twin Falls facility and have discussed that the
transportation could be workable with cooperation from the Cassia County Sheriffs Office.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, September 22, 2025
4lPage
vi) Bodily stated that there would be difficulties in trying to reopen a detention center once it has been
closed.
vii) Schaeffer discussed that the Twin Falls juvenile detention facility has only 21 beds. He noted that
they house juveniles not only from Twin Falls County, but also from Gooding County, Jerome County
and Lincoln County. He expressed concern that Twin Falls could increase the daily cost once they
have the only operating juvenile detention facility in the region.
c) Public Defender trust
i) Clerk Larsen discussed that budgeted funds from both counties that are held in the Public Defender
Trust. He stressed the necessity of clarifying ongoing expenditures to meet both county's statutory
obligation for relocation and housing the State Public Defender's Office.
ii) Orton explained that they had budgeted S30,000.00 and that any additional expenses should be
divided between the counties and the funds held in trust be utilized to cover those expenses and for
both counties to add additional funds if necessary.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
16) 9:45 AM Proposed County building discussion
a) Determination of architectural, engineering, construction management, and other related matters in
advancing the building process
b) Pla n groundbreaking ceremony tentatively for 70/7/2025 at 7:3o PM
i) Groundbreaking tasks included setting up a tent, table, refreshments, sound system, and shovels.
lnvitations will be sent to officials, stafl and media.
ii) Bids will be opened and evaluated, with incomplete bids potentially rejected. A one-year completion
deadline is established; all bid documents will be archived.
2:48 PM Reconvene
17) 2:49 PM Review and approve file server replacement for Sheriff's Office - lT
18) 3:53 PM Adjourn
3:53 PM Motion and Action: Adjourn, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member.
Motion passed unanimously.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, September 22, 2025
5lPage
2:49 PM Motion and Action: Approve the purchase of the server from Dell for 51.7,266.03 as presented,
Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
APPROVED:
Leonard M. Beck, Chair
DEPUW CLERK OF THE BOARD:
52,,,
Sha rene Ahlin
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, Septembet 22, 2025
5lPage
4rC
Cassia County Commissioner Meeting
Attendance Log
4l?.p.l lceb
Date:
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FN5O2WBS STEPIIANIE HITT
BOTH UNPAID CLAIMS & DEMANDS GENERALGOVERNMENT FUNDS
* UNAPPROVED DEMANDS APPEAR IN ACTUALS AND ALSO AS AN INVOICE .
Fund
GENERAL FUND (CURRENT EXPENSE)
ROAD & BRIDGE
DISTRICT COURT
JUSTICE FUND
M-C t\4 I SDE]V EANOR PROBATION
REVALUATION
WATERWAYS
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FUND
0001
0002
0006
0008
o012
0020
0025
0048
4,674,940.O0
712,675.00
370,335.00
14,689,453.00
1,328,670.00
402,310.00
84,000.00
3,894,840.00
17,136.34
865.00
1 ,1 55.68
48,160.09
20,300.14
698.33
663.40
34,854.O7
11:07 :17
CASSIA COIJNTY
Budget
PAGE I OF I
97% OF FISCAL YEAR ELAPSED
Actual
Demand/Claims
Amt
_ Budget
fo Budget
Remai-ninq Remaining
4,103,967.47
460,028.99
334,201.50
13,021 ,361 .91
1,282,014.69
356,674.05
21,422.74
3,257,784.23
570,972.53
252,646.01
36,133.50
1,668,091.09
46,655.31
45,635.95
62,577.26
637,055.77
12%
35o/o
10%
11%
4%
11%
74%
16%
STATE OF IDAHO
CASSIA COUNTY
WE, THE CASSIA COUNTY COIVMISSIONERS, BEING DULY SWORN DO HEREBY CERTIFYAND DECLARE THAT
WE HAVE REVIEWED THE DEIVANDS ENUMERATED AND REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING REGISTER, AND THAT THE SAME ARE
TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE ACCURATE AND ARE JUST CLAIMS AGAINST THE COUNTY, AND THAT THERE ARE FUNDS
AVAILABLE FOR PAYMENT THEREOF IN THE COUNTY
Total Amount Paid
123,833.05
IVISSIONER
aa 2D.zs
_@5
APPROVEDFOR DISTRIBUTION AS OF
COMMISSIONER
COMTVIISSIONER
Mc
6 OeemyOerl tr Cte*of$rBo.rd
* WARNING: This fund is over budget
SUMMARY CLAIMS APPROYAL REPORT
INCLUDING
BUDGET BALANCES
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