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Cassia County Board of Commissioners
REGU LAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, Janua ry 26, 2026
Cossio County Courthouse . Commission Chambers
7459 Overlond Ave . Room 206 . Burley lD 83378
9:00 AM
The Cassia County Board of Commissioners mettodayatthe place and time as posted byagenda
pursuant to ldaho Code 5 74-204 for Open Meetings Law.
ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1) 9:02 AM Callto order
2l Pledge of Allegiance and prayer
3) 9:04 AM Rollcall
RollCall.
Present: Leonard M. Beck - Chair, Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Sharene Ahlin - Deputy Clerk
(Not voting)
4) 9:04 AM Calendar, meetings, committee reports, and correspondence were reviewed.
a) 11:54 AM USFS Report from Kevin Draper
i) Draper noted that the conditions have been so dry that they have stopped any burn operations.
They are concerned for severe fire danger in the coming seasons.
ii) lt was mentioned that the Cassia Crossbill may be considered to be listed as an endangered species.
iii) Chair Beck inquired about the length of the lease for Pomerelle and requested a copy for the record;
Draper offered to check into that.
5) 9:05 AM Approve payables tor 712612026
9:05 AM Motion and Action: Approve payables in the amount of 527,992.53 as presented on U2612O26, Moved
by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
6) 9:07 AM Approve minutes from 1212212025, tll29/2025,1,1812026 and t/1512026
9:07 AM Motion and Action: Approve minutes from L212212025 as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle -
Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
9:08 AM Motion and Action: Approve minutes from 1212912025 as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member,
Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
9:09 AM Motion and Action: Approve minutes from t/812026 as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member,
Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
9:09 AM Motion and Action: Approve minutes from 1,11,512026 as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member,
Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
cAsstA couNw coMMrssroN
REGUTAR SESSION
Monday, January 26,2026
lnstrument # 2026000476
BURLEY, CASSIA, IDAHO
2.9.2026 12:49:04 PM No. of Pages: 8
Recorded for: CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
JOSEPH LARSEN
Ex0fficio Recorder Depu$
l lPage
lndex to: COMMISSIONERS MINUTES
Fee: 0.00
7) 9:10AM Approval of Clerk's Office recommendations regardingjunior college Certificates of Residency
9:10 AM Motion and Action: Approve Clerk's Office recommendations to approve six junior college Certificates
of Residency as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion
passed una nimously.
8) 9:10AM Personnel Matters-ChangeofStatus Requests-there were noneto be considered
9) Executive Sessions
10:23 AM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 974-206 (1) (a) to consider
personnel evaluation in hiring and ldaho Code 574-206 (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 call vote (summary: Yes = 3).
Yes: Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Leonard M. Beck - Chair.
10:42 AM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement
10:57 AM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 974-206 (1) (b) to consider
personnel issues, 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.
1L:15 AM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement
10) 9:L2 AM Approve and sign America 250 logo agreement
9:13 AM Motion and Action: Approve and sign the America 250 logo agreement as presented, Moved by Kent R
Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
11) 9:14 AM Review and approve an increase in funding of the Howell Canyon Road Maintenance
a) There was discussion of increasing the annual maintenance funding contribution for the road.
b) The Board desires to obtain copies ofthe maintenance agreements over the years for review.
c) Chair Beck plans to attend a meeting on the matter on February tL,2026.
d) Matter to be placed on the next meeting agenda for further consideration.
L2) 9:22 AM Consider purchase request of an lD card printing machine and supplies
a) Undersheriff Kevin Horak requested to purchase an lD card printing machine and related supplies.
b) lt was noted that the State of ldaho had been printing employee lD cards previously, however they
stopped printing them for counties in January of 2025.
c) The total purchase, including supplies is 58,865.00; he noted that the purchase was budgeted for.
d) Adult Misdemeanor probation also has a need for the lD cards and will need to purchase the supplies
necessary for their lD cards.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, January 26,2026
2lPage
9:27 AM Motion and Action: Approve the purchase ofthe lD card printing machine and supplies in the amount
of 58,855.00 from the Police and Sheriff's Press lnc. as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded
by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
13) 9:29 AM Sign letter of support for IDPR grant application for restroom at Smiths Spring boating site
9:29 AM Motion and Action: Approve the presented letter of support for the ldaho Parks and Recreation grant
application for the restroom at Smiths SprinB boating site on the Cassia side as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau
- Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
14) 9:30 AM Sign letter of support for City of Burley Federal Build grant from improvements to East 16th Street
from Hiland Avenue to the Golf Course
9:32 AM Motion and Action: Approve the chairman's signature on the letter of support for the City of Burley's
effort to secure a grant on East 16th St as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob
Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
SCHEDULED ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
15) 9:33 AM Auditor's Quarterly financial statement report
a) Deputy Auditor Sharene Ahlin reviewed the quarterly report for the Board.
b) lt was noted that the reports do not include disbursements for the joint budgets, nor have revenues
been received for the joint budgets.
c) Revenues were approximately 6% above projections for the year to date while expenditures were about
Lzo/o below percentages for year to date.
9:37 AM Motion and Action: Approve the Auditor's quarterly report as presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle -
Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
16) 9:43 AM Department Head Reports lncluding Budgetary Updates
a) Reports were received from Deputy Treasurer Sheri Bedke, Deputy Assessor Mirella Mancias,
Undersheriff Kevin Horak, Weed and Pest Control Supervisor Michael Ottley, Coroner Craig Rinehart,
Extension Educator Grace Wittman, l.T. Director Ean Pigford, Building and Zoning Administrator Kerry
McMurray and Deputy Auditor Sharene Ahlin.
b) ltems of note included:
i) The Sheriffs Office is training for Motorola Flex and is anticipating a go live date in June.
ii) The Jail census was reported as 136 inmates with 52 for Cassia, 26 for Minidoka, 3 ICE holds, 48 for
IDOC and 7 US Marshal holds.
iii) Weed and Pest supervisor Michael Ottley discussed that Behr glyphosate products will not be
available going further.
iv) lT Director Ean Pigford discussed that a firewall device is planned to be installed at the Road and
Bridge facility to provide a secure connection for the cameras and devices on that site.
L7\ L0:42 AM Consider purchase of eight replacement Spartan Devices for the inmate tracking system
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUTAR SESSION
Monday, January 26,2026
3lPage
10:46 AM Motion and Action: Approve the purchase of eight Spartan Devices for inmate tracking from Guardian
RFID as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed
unanimously.
18) 9:39 AM Construction project status report and items for consideration - Gary Jones Construction
Jason Jones discussed that 120 yards of concrete was poured early this morning, with concrete blankets
placed. The underground utilities will be added later in the day.
19) 10:48 AM Board of Equalization
10:50 AM Motion and Action: Enter a Board of Equalization hearing, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded
by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
10:51 AM Motion and Action: Rescind the motion from November 25, 2025 accepting the 2025 Occupancy Roll
in the amount of 519,365,698.00 presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau -
Member. Motion passed una nimously.
a) Angelina Nava discussed that home owner exemption applications needed to be updated. There were
79 parcels on the Occupancy roll, for a net taxable value ot 578,287 ,617 .OO tor tax year 2025.
10:55 AM Motion and Action: Approve the 2025 occupancy roll of 79 parcels in the amount S18,287,617.00 as
presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
10:56 AM Motion and Action: Exit the Board of Equalization hearing, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member,
Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
20) 11:16 AM Consider quote for transition from Google to Microsoft Email Migrations for Cassia County
a) Scott Kunau presented information and explained dual factor and multi-factor authentication as a
measure of security for email. Cassia County's current Google-based system includes two-step
verification. He stated there is no real reason to change, regardless of the vendor, as that verification is
simple and in place already with the current system which includes Google Authenticator.
b) Kunau recommended implementing dual-factor authenticator with Google Authenticator a few
departments at a time as a one-time process. lt can serve to mitigate hackers attacking employee's
emails. He warned that a user can click on a link and still open the door for a hacker. That stressed the
need for users to be informed of that potential risk by training.
c) Chair Beck asked about dual factor versus multi-factor authentication. Kunau said the two step
verification, dual factor authentication, or multi-factor authentication, the security measures are
identical.
d) Pigford agreed completely with everything Mr. Kunau said and it is easy to turn on that authentication
with the County's current system. He stated that is only one piece of the entire picture in migrating from
Google to Microsoft. His proposal is to have a system that ties the email into the current Microsoft
infrastructure and allow the flexibility to govern not just the email but to utilize tools that allows for lT
to govern our data and to protect network logins.
e) Pigford had reached out to other counties and found that Elmore, Kootenai, Gem, Washington, Payette,
and Twin Falls counties had all migrated to Microsoft several years ago. He asked them what their
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUTAR SESSION
Monday, January 26,2026
4lPage
UNF!NISHED BUSINESS
AGENDA ITEMS
21) Proposed County building discussion - no additional discussion.
221t2:O7 PM Adjourn
t2:07 PM Motion and Action: Adjourn, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member
Motion passed unanimously.
CASSIA COU NTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, January 26,2026
5lFage
experiences were with that move. Each county that replied had nothing but good things to say about
that migration to bring the email into the Microsoft infrastructure in the cloud for better security with
SEGUS and HIPAA requirements. His plan was to use a hybrid initially then move, as Elmore County has
done, to that heightened level to protect the Sheriff s Office data. Ultimately, this is to protect not only
email, but also the network and servers as well.
f) Pigford asked Josh Nelson, who was in attendance remotely, to speak to the path he is presenting.
g) Joshua Nelson, from the Secretary of State's Office, explained their process in their migration in2O2L.
That process helped them to not dedicate so many man hours to their system making it well worth the
expense. He reiterated the integration of all Microsoft services is an advantage. Three factor
authentication is included in the Microsoft solution. The State has implemented the Microsoft solution
and it may be a benefit with insurance premiums with ICRMP as they are clamping down on security
requirements. The State may even offer a discounted rate that could be checked on if cost is the primary
concern. He concluded that the migration to Microsoft was one of the best things they have done.
h) Commissioner Kunau thought we should check with ICRMP to see if there is cost savings.
i) Clerk Larsen added that he was involved with the County Commissioners in 2018 when the decision was
made to go with Google Workspace, one of Stephenson's vendors and that was their preference.
Previous to that we were working with Web.com and several intrusions were found into the email
system both from within the County as well as out of the County. lt was a protective move back then for
that security and was also recommended by the main web domain developer, EvoGov. He
recommended to make the move to Microsoft, noting that it had been included in the FY2026 budget
and that it might be best to follow the recommendations of the lT department. He also noted that the
migration of the Supreme Court and the State of ldaho had been seamless for achieving security there.
j) Larsen stated that the cost to mitigate one intrusion could outweigh the costs of implementation. He
knew of about six counties that could attest to that. He didn't feel that ICRMP would offer any savings
for making this move, but there are substantial penalties when security features are not in place.
k) Chair Beck said Pigford will work with McMurray in dialogue with ICRMP.
APPROVED:
6,,/a/^-
Leonard M. Beck, Chair
DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD:
Sharene Ahlin
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, January 26, 2026
6lPage
Cassia County Commissioner Meeting
Attendance Loa
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CASSIA COUNTY
PAGE I OF- I
BOTH UNPAID CLAIMS & DEMANDS GENERALCOVERNMENT FUNDS
* UNAPPROVED DEMANDS APPEAR IN ACTUALS AND ALSO AS AN INVOICE .
Fund
OOO1 GENERAL FUND (CURRENT EXPENSE)
OOO2 ROAD & BRIDGE
OOO4 AMBULANCE SERVICES
0006 DISTRICT COURT
OO13 911 COMMUNICATIONS
31% OF FISCAL YEAR ELAPSED
Budget
Actual
Demand/Claims
Amt
Budget
l/u Budget
Remaining Remaining
5,093,499.00
712,150.00
278,425.00
399,326.00
954,840.00
1,496,268.69
100,721 .60
71,375.75
117,422.60
40,606.64
2,382.68
90.60
22,979.25
1,940.00
600.00
3,597,230.31
611,428.40
207,049.25
281,903.40
914,233.36
71o/o
86%
74%
710k
96%
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
TOTHE BESTOF OUR KNOWLEDGEACCURATEANDARE JUSTCLAIMSAGAINSTTHE COUNTY, ANDTHATTHEREARE FUNDS
Total Amount Paid
27,992.53
IONER
AVAILABLE FOR PAYMENT THEREOF IN THE COUNTY TREASURY.
AppRovED FoR DrsrRrBUroN AS oF - - - - - - l-:-Q6- :- Qp-e 6
COMMISSIONER
COMMISSIONER
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* WARNING: This fund is over budget
)dro"nrw
SUMMARY CLAIMS APPROVAL REPORT
INCLUDING
BUDGET BALANCES
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