Cassia County | minutes | meeting 2025-09-29 | 2025_09_29 BoCC Recorded Minutes.pdf
source: https://www.cassia.gov/media/Commissioners/Minutes/2025/2025_09_29%20BoCC%20Recorded%20Minutes.pdf

Cassia County Board of Commissioners
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, September 29, 2025
Cossio County Courthouse . Commission Chambers
7459 Overland Ave . Room 205 . 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.
ACTION A6ENDA 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, Sharene Ahlin - Deputy Clerk
(Not voting)
4) 9:07 AM Calendar, meetings, committee reports, and correspondence were reviewed
5) 9:02 AM Approve payables tor 9/29/2025
9:02 AM Motion and Action: Approve payables in the amount of 5413,646.47 as presented on9/29/2025 for
FY2025, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously
9:04 AM Motion and Action: Approve payables in the amount of 55,434.99 as presented on9/29/20?5for
FY2026, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously
6) 9:06 AM Approve minutes from 6/30/2025
9:05 AM Motion and Action: Approve minutes trom 6/30/2025 as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle -
Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
7) 9:07 AM Approval of Clerk's Office recommendations regarding junior college Certificates of Residency
9:07 AM Motion and Action: Approve Clerk's Office recommendations to approve two junior college Certificates
of Residency as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion
passed una nimously.
8) 2:07 PM Personnel Matters - Change of Status Requests
a) CCSO - Maria Sara Goni - Records & Community Services Officer - cost of living
b) CCSO - Ale.iandra Schindler - Driver's License Technician - cost of living
c) CCSO - Cameron Romo - Emergency Communications Officer/Level 1 - cost of living
d) CCSO - Lleimi Guzman - Emergency Manager/Admin Secretary - cost of living
e) Clerk - Ricki Tkachyk - Deputy Clerk - voluntary resignation
cAsstA couNw coMMrssroN
REGUTAR 5E55ION
Monday, September 29, 2025
Instrument # 20250o4.162
BURLEY, CASSIA. IOAHO
13-2025 03:lG:12 PM
llo, of Pages: I 1
1
Recoaded for : CASSIA COUNTY coMMESloNERs
JOSEPH LARSEN
Exlfficio Rccorder
l lPaBe
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2:08 PM Motion and Action: Approve Change of Status Requests as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle -
Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
9) Executive Sessions
11:11 AM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 974-206 (1) (b) to consider
personnel issues and ldaho Code I74-206 (1) (d) to consider records that are exempt from public disclosure
Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll callvote (summary: Yes = 3).
Yes: Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
11:35 AM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement.
11:35 AM Motion and Action: Approve recommendations of the Social Services Director regarding indigent
matters, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
12:34 PM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 574-2OG (1) 1b) to consider
personnel issues and ldaho Code 5 74-206 (1) (f) to communicate with legal counsel regarding pending
/imminently-likely litigation, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll callvote (summary: Yes = 3).
Yes: Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
1:15 PM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement.
1:31 PM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 574-206 (1) (b) to consider
personnel issues, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member.
Vote: Motlon carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 3).
Yes: Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
2:07 PM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement.
9:12 AM Motion and Action: Approve making the open enrollment attendance mandatory either in person or by
viewing the recording as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member.
Motion passed una nimously.
11) 9:13 AM Ratify the purchase of 24 chairs for the commission chambers and the executive session room
9:13 AM Motion and Action: Ratify the purchase of 24 chairs in the amount S10,205.76 for commission
chambers and the executive session room as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, seconded by Kent R
Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
cAsstA couNw coMMtsstoN
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, September 29, 2025
2lPaBe
10) 9:11 AM Open enrollment attendance determination

12) 9:16 AM Adopt updated County Seal
9:17 AM Motion and Action: Adopt the County seal that is displayed in the commission chambers as the Cassia
County Sealas presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion
passed una n imously.
13) 9:17 AM Cottonwood Acres subdivision discussion and decision
a) Chair Beck felt they should either adopt the decision of the Planning and Zoning or he had reservation
on the lateness of Exhibit 28 that came in. He felt that needed to be reviewed by the Planning and
Zoning Commission to make certain the water extracted from the new development doesn't affect the
current ones.
b) Searle agreed, noting that exhibits 21and 28 did catch his attention. He suggested that it be referred
back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for further clarification of some of the inconsistencies
before they appeal it to the district court.
c) Kunau stated he was against sending it back for the simple reason the Board has zero control over the
water and neither can the district court and that the water resource board has the final say if they can
drill a well. He further discussed that it is impossible to know what the effect on Land Creek will be,
noting that if the winter is dry that Land Creek may not even run next year.
d) Searle agreed they are very limited with what they can do with the water. They presented this and it's
part of it and the impact on the other people There wasn't sufficient time to really take a good hard look
at it. He still felt it should be sent back and let them review it and make any corrections they want. lf
they have the time to review it, it would take away the due process out of the argument and the
concerns he brought forward could be answered. Chair Beck said that when county attorney McCord
Larsen comes they can reenter the hearing and resurface those comments and the chair would seek a
motion on how to proceed,
e) 1.2:32 PM Troy Mortensen said he understands the concerns on this appeal but asked why this
continues to drag on as it is costing him a lot of money. He said he had already lost eight buyers with
some of them moving out of Albion. He requested that the Board consider making a decision on the
matter today. Chair Beck stated his concern was noted.
1:15 PM Motion: Re-enter the appeal hearing for the Cottonwood Acres subdivision. Vote: Motion carried by
unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 3). Yes: Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M.
Beck - Chair.
f) Prosecutor Larsen reminded the Board that they are acting in an appellate review position, and that all
evidence for their review has been submitted. He reminded them that they cannot take into
consideration the prior comments from Mr. Mortensen and that they must only consider the record
before them for the appeal. His legal advice was to make a decision on the record that has been created
with the information provided by both parties.
g) Chair Beck discussed that the appellants had brought forward Exhibit 28 which is dealing with water
which is out of their authority but was a late submittal. He felt that the Planning and Zoning Commission
should revisit that lateness to see if it has any bearing on their decision according to the Comprehensive
Plan that the impact of water of a new development cannot impact others that exist.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUTAR SESSION
Monday, September 29, 2025
3lPage

h) Searle agreed, recommending that they return the matter to Planning and Zoning, and read Cassia
County Code 10-3-3 M, which states that adequate information must be provided to ensure that new or
existing wells will provide sufficient water for the subdivision without negatively affecting nearby
property owners.
i) Kunau stated that they have no control over the water and that he did not feel that there is a way for
them to know definitively if the water for the wells would deplete Land Creek.
1:21 PM Motion and Action: Return the matter back to Planning and Zoning and ask that they look at the five
pages from exhibits 21 and 28 as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member.
Motion died for lack of a second.
j) 1:21 PM Prosecutor Larsen discussed that the Board of Commissioners is serving as an appellate board
and recommended that the matter be remanded back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for the
applicant to provide substantial and competent evidence. Essentially, you have the argument that it was
not timely submitted and that is where the issue of due process comes from. lt is not a finding about the
water but it is about the evidence regarding water. lf the Board would remand this back to Planning
Zoning so that the memo and the information with the augmented information from the water
concerns. To be clear, a motion to remand this to Planning and Zoning is on the specific issue of
augmenting the applicant's memo in order to have substantial and competent evidence regarding the
water or irrigation study. The goal is for the Planning and Zoning Commission to make a fully informed
decision based upon the information provided by the applicant.
k) 1:29 PM Larsen then suggested that an order be drafted remanding the matter to the Planning and
Zoning Corhmission to take up the issues presented solely on water. The order to remand will be
prepared and placed on the agenda for the 1,011,12025 meeting for a determination.
1:30 PM Motion and Action: Exit the appeal hearing, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R
Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
SCHEDUTED ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1,4) 9:24 AM Review and sign the City of Burley Law Enforcement Contract
a ) Sea rle said once they had agreed on the numbers, it had been reviewed by Sheriff Thompson and
County Attorney Larsen. He stated that if they are fine with it, then he is okay as well.
b) He asked to hold on this for him to verify or double check on a couple of numbers.
c) The Board discussed calculations of amounts in the contract. Searle stated that statement and amounts
were consistent with how the City of Burley has wanted to do that in the past. He said they could list it
how they wanted but the bottom number is what they are looking at.
9:30 AM Motion and Action: Approve the Law Enforcement Service Agreement for FY2026 with the City of
Burley in the amount of 52,393,133.00 as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob
Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
cAssrA couNw coMMrssroN
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, September 29, 2025
4lPage

15) 9:32 AM Review and approve spare hard drive purchase for Sheriff File Server lT
9:39 AM Motion and Action: Purchase an additional hard drive for the server that was purchased for Law
Enforcement in the amount of S'J,,4L3.75 as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R.
Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
16) 9:40 AM Review and approve Ricoh Printer Lease for Extension Office - lT
a) lT Director Ean Pigford discussed that the printer would cost about S21,000.00 if purchased outright
b) He stated that a lease will save the county money when compa red to the purchase of a printer.
12:09 PM Motion and Action: Approve a lease from Pacific Office Automation for a printer for the extension
office as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed
una nimously.
17) 9:51 AM Mini-Cassia Commerce Authority quarterly report - lnouye
a) Mr- Winston lnouye reviewed their various ongoing projects.
b) He stated that they have seen an increase of inquiries for pro.iects in the Mini-Cassia area as well as in
the Magic Valley.
18) 10:03 AM Department Head Reports lncluding Budgetary Updates
a) Department Heads were asked to encourage the employees to manage their accruals carefully to cover
any possible absences. lt was discussed that employees must maintain their minimum required hours in
order to maintain benefits eligibility.
b) Time ca rd subm ittals were discussed, noting that for the prior payroll that there were 27 full time
employees that had not even started a time card as of the L3'h day of a two week pay period.
Department heads were requested to remind employees to enter time cards in a timely fashion.
c) Open Enrollment meetings have been scheduled for 10/22/2025 and 10/23/2025. Attendance was
determined to be mandatory for all employees. lnformation will be distributed in the coming days.
d) Reports were received from the following department heads: Treasurer Greener, Assessor Adams,
Sheriff Thompson, Adult Misdemeanor Probation Director Prewitt, Noxious Weed and Pest Supervisor
Ottley, Coroner Rinehart, Extension Office Educator Brackenbury, Building and Grounds Supervisor
Hernandez, l.T. Administrator Pigford, Building & Zoning Administrator McMurray and Clerk Larsen.
e) The various budgets were noted to be within limits and departmental activities were reviewed. The
Assessor's Office had a new employee start recently, the Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center and County
Sheriff's Office each had an open position, the Treasurer's Office is preparing for the tax drive, Adult
Misdemeanor Probation Office personnel are looking into new software options and the Clerk's Office is
preparing to begin the migration process for the new recording system.
1.9) 11:36 AM Samuel Stevens 4-H Lamb thank you
a) Samuel Stevens expressed his appreciation to the Board for purchasing his 4H animal.
b) He discussed the challenges involved with 4-H, school as well as other activities and what he's learned
through the experience. He noted the importance of hard work in order to Bet through projects,
c) The Board wished him well in his future endeavors.
20) 11:40 AM Review and approve equipment purchase for Noxious Weed Department truck
a) Michael Ottley requested approvalto install a light bar on the department's newest truck.
b) Costs were estimated at 52,116.00.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUTAR SESSION
Monday, September 29, 2025
5lPage

1,7:42 AM Motion and Action: Approve the expenditure of S2,116.00 to All Wireless Communications for the
purchase of a light bar for the Cassia County Weed Control as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member,
Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
21,\ 11.:43 AM Discuss intentions for a county vehicle in storage
a) Ottley reminded the Board that there is a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan that has been in storage for two
years. The van was an Extension Office vehicle. He noted that it needs a new battery, the tires at
approximately 25%, and that the paint is peeling. Ottley estimated a trade in value of approximately
s4,000.00.
b) He requested to be able to trade the vehicle in towards a truck for the Weed and Pest Department.
c) Ottley offered to get the vehicle detailed and replace the battery if he will be able to take the trade in
value off of the value of the truck he plans to purchase for his department.
d) Beck requested that Ottley obtain a trade in value for the vehicle before they make a determination on
how the trade in value will be allocated-
22) 17 47 AM Consider a donation to Simply Hope
a) Representatives from Simply Hope discussed their program and services.
b) Prosecutor Larsen discussed that the county has received some opioid settlement funds and that the
services provided by Simply Hope would qualify as an appropriate use of those funds.
c) Larsen recommended that the Board make a motion to allocate funds to Simply Hope, recommending a
donation in the amount of S50,000.00.
12:02 PM Motion and Action: Approve the disbursement of $50,000.00 from the opioid funds for Simply Hope
as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed
una nimously.
23\ L2:02 PM Approve FY2025 allocation for Tyler Technologies Eagle Recording software implementation
support and data migration
a) Clerk Larsen reported than an amount for an additional part time employee was never expended. The
Board approved in their budget costs for half of the amount of a new employee for the additional time
needed to assist Board clerking responsibilities.
b) The S38,075.00 that remained in the FY2025's Auditor and Recorder budget to allocate to the lT Budget
for rollout of the Tyler Technologies Enterprise Recording Management software. For FY2026, that same
amount would be expended for that pro.iect as explained to the Board previously when looking at the
prospect of the new recording software.
c) Larsen wanted to bring that forward now as it would be a pre-payment in FY2025 for implementation of
that software.
12:05 PM Motion and Action: Authorize the disbursement of 538,075.00 to Tyler Technologies for FY2025 as
presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS ACTI ON AGENDA ITEMS
24) 72:t3 PM Proposed County building discussion
a) JasonJonesfromGaryJonesConstructiondiscussedthattheyhadasuccessful 
bid opening in the prior
week. They have been working their way through the bids. They do have a note of clarification for bid
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUTAR SESSION
Monday, September 29, 2025
6lPage

package #3 for the concrete work. He said that some of the details were vague. They will rebid that
package for clarity.
b) The Bid Package review and acceptance was scheduled for loll/2025.
c) The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled fo( 10/l/2O25 at 1:30 PM
25]. !2:18 PM Review and approve the lease agreement for the Public Defender's office space with Five One
lnvestment Company
a) Prosecutor Larsen discussed that he had provided a copy of the proposed lease agreement to
Minidoka's Prosecutor Lance Stevenson.
b) He said that the contract could be signed in series by each county since it was not formatted to be
signed by representatives of both counties on the same page.
c) lt was discussed that the area on the lease for a notary to sign should be crossed out and initialed as
done so by the chair, as a Clerk of the Board is required to attest the chair's signature for all documents
signed by the Board.
26) 2:09 PM Adjourn
2:09 PM Motion and Action: Adjourn, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member
Motion passed unanimously.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUTAR SESSION
Monday, September 29, 2025
TlPage
L2:28 PM Motion and Action: Authorize the chair to sign the lease with Five One lnvestment Company with the
noted changes discussed, Moved by Kent R. searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion
passed unanimously.

APPROVED:
Leona rd M. Beck, Chair
DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD:
Sharene Ahlin
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, Septembet 29, 2025
8lPage
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0912612025 08:49:43 FN502WBSMICHELLEWALLACE
CASSIA COI,,INTY
FYZo25
PAGE I OF I
BOTH UNPAID CLAIMS & DEMANDS GENERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS
" UNAPPROVED DEMANDS APPEAR IN ACTUALS AND ALSO AS AN INVOICE .
Fund
99% OF FISCAL YEAR ELAPSED
Budget
Actual
Demand/Claims Budget
Amt 
Remafning
ol, Budget
Renraining
0001
0002
0004
0006
0008
001 3
0016
0029
0048
GENERAL FUND (CURRENT EXPENSE)
ROAD & BRIDGE
AMBULANCE SERVICES
DISTRICT COURT
JUSTICE FUND
911 COMMUNICATIONS
SOCIAL SERVICES-ASS I STANCE
PHYSICAL FACILITIES
ETVlPLOYEE BENEFITS FUND
APPROVED FOR DISTRIBUTIONAS OF
4,674,940.OO
712,675.00
278,425.00
370,335.00
'14,689,453.00
819,250.00
251,870.00
12,423,860.00
3,894,840.00
4,213,669.41
466,208.92
255,732.10
344,577.18
13,584,265.O2
268,336.36
54,497.26
514,402.08
3,314,707.90
Total Amount Paid
ISSIONER
7,656.80
13,429.97
22,309.92
2,084.96
214,786.97
21,345.10
1,500.00
73,609.08
56,923.67
461,270.59
246,466.08
22,692.90
25,757.82
1 ,105,187.98
550,913.64
197,372.74
11,909,457.92
580, 1 32.1 0
10o/o
35%
8%
7%
8%
67%
78%
9604
15%
4',13,646.47
STATE OF IDAHO
CASSIA COUNTY
WE, THE CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. BEING DULY SWORN DO HEREBY CERTIFY AND DECLARE THAT
WE HAVE REVIEWED THE DEMANDS 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
RY
2I_: aN5
ER
COMMISSIONER
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* WARNING: This fund is over budget
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SUMMARY CLAIMS APPROVAL REPORT
INCLUDING 
BUDGET BALANCES
1

FY LoLb
0912612025 09:36:33 FN502WBSMICHELLEWALLACE
CASSIA COUNTY
PAGE I OF I
UNPAID CLAIMS GENERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS
Fund
O% OF FISCAL YEAR ELAPSED
Budget
Actual
Demand/Claims
Amt
Budeet
Remaining
7o Budeet
Remaining
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
0001
0008
oo12
0016
0048
GENERAL FUND (CURRENT EXPENSE)
JUSTICE FUND
M-C MISDEMEANOR PROBATION
SOCIAL SERVICES.ASSI STANCE
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FUND
APPROVED FOR DISTRIBUTION AS OF
COMMISSIONER
TREASURY. -
9:Q?:-,)$5
5,093,499.00
15,639,677.00
1,390,000.00
99,000.00
4,295,615.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
,\,rt
2,731.79
1,060.83
934.37
500.00
208.00
5,093,499.00
15,639,677.00
1,390,000.00
99,000.00
4,295,615.00
Total Amount Paid
STATE OF IDAHO
CASSIA COUNTY
WE, THE CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, BEING DULY SWORN DO HEREBY CERTIFYAND DECLARE THAT
WE HAVE REVIEWED THE DEMANDS ENUMERATED AND REFERRED TO IN THE FOREGOING REGISTER, AND THAT THE SAME ARE
TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE ACCURATE AND ARE JUST CLAIMS AGAINST THE COUNTY, AND THAT THERE ARE FUNDS
AVAILABLE FOR PAYMENT THEREOF IN THE COUNTY
5,434.99
COMMISSIONER
A$.C
IONER
J1D
-Sin"
,/0[,,owt
NoMC
q-
W
* WARNING: 'l'his fund is over budget
\Bftprry(lstf tr chltottheBoard
SUMMARY CLAIMS APPROVAL REPORT
INCLUDING 
BUDGET BALANCES
o6