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Cassia County Board of Commissioners
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, February 23, 2026
Cossio County Courthouse . Commission Chambers
7459 Overlond Ave . Room 206 . Burley lD 83i78
9:00 AM
The Cassia County Board of Commissioners met today at the place and time as posted by agenda
pursuant to ldaho code $ 74-204 for open Meetings Law.
ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
1) 9:01 AM Call to order
2) Pledge of Allegiance and prayer
3) 9:03 AM Roll call
Roll Call.
Present: Leonard M. Beck - Chair, Kent R. Searle - Member, Bob Kunau - Member, Kerry McMurray - Assistant to
Board (Not voting), Sharene Ahlin - Deputy Clerk (Not voting)
4) 9:03 AM Calendar, meetings, committee reports, and correspondence were reviewed
5) 9:08 AM Approve payables for 2/23/2026
9:12 AM Motion and Action: Approve payables in the amount ofS105,574.08 as presented on 2/2312026,
Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
6) 9:13 AM Approvalof Clerk's Office recommendations regarding junior college Certificates of Residency
9:13 AM Motion and Action: Approve Clerk's Office recommendations to approve one junior college Certificate
of Residency as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion
passed unanimously.
7) Executive Sessions
12:26 PM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 974-206 (1) (b) to consider
personnel issues, ldaho Code 5 74-206 (1) (d) to consider records that are exempt from public disclosure, 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.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUI.AR SESSION
Monday, February 23, 2026
lnstrument # 2026000845
BURLEY. CASSIA. IDAHO
i-to-zozs o2iogt27
Recorded for : CASSIA
JOSEPH LARSEN
l lPage
Er-Officio Recodet
ndet tol coMlvllssloNERs
MINUTES
12:59 PM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement.
8) 9:15 AM Approve Frontier Community Resources invoice for dues
a) Commissioner Kunau discussed that Frontier Community Resources was formerly known as Region lV
Development. He explained that the county has participated each year. He noted that their assessment
is based on the population of each of the participating counties.
b) They were requesting S2,737.00 for FY2026 annual participation.
9:17 AM Motion and Action: Approve the payment to Frontier Community Resources in the amount of
52,737.0O, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
9:21 AM Motion and Action: Approve the Burley Lion's Spudman Triathlon Special Event Resource Request as
presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously
LLI 12:59 PM Consider seasonal comp time payout
1:00 PM Motion and Action: Approve seasonal comp time payout in the amount 52,377.81 as presented,
Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
l2l LO:32 AM Discuss current vehicle management vs. Enterprise Fleet proposal- Sheriff
a) Sheriff Thompson presented his analysis of the Sheriff's Office vehicle replacement program. He noted
that the county would save money if they continued to purchase vehicles outright as they have been
doing. He estimated a total ten-year cost savings of 5910,635.00.
b) 11.:4L AM There was additional discussion on the matter from Matt Pryor with Enterprise Fleet Leasing.
He noted that their proposal would cost approximately 5500,000 to 5600,000 more over the course of a
ten-year period. He stressed that they would be driving newer vehicles.
c) lt was discussed that the Enterprise lease agreement would include interest to be paid by the county.
The interest is based on the three-year T-bill rates, currently around 6.2%.
d) Searle discussed the importance of being able to retain older vehicles for reserve deputy use.
e) L1,:57 AM Sheriff Thompson stated that managing the fleet purchases in-house will be cheaper than
leasing, by approximately $55,000 per year.
f) 1:12 PM Commissioner Searle discussed that he did not recommend moving forward with the leasing
proposal, noting that the Enterprise representative had admitted that over ten years that the cost to the
county would be higher.
g) Chair Beck recommended that the Sheriffs office work with Enterprise to see if there is another option.
13) 9:23 AM Discuss and consider plans for furnace units at the Assessor's Office - Kunau
a) Commissioner Kunau discussed that three HVAC units on the Assessor's building are approximately 25
years old. There is a need for repairs or replacements in the coming season.
b) He recommended that they have Ramsey's heating and cooling look at the units that were removed
from the Public Defender's Office to see if they may be compatible to be used at the Assessor's Office.
SCHEDUTED ACTION AGENDA ITEMS
2lPage
9) 9:18 AM Discuss and approve increased funding for Howell Canyon Road
a) The Board is currently awaiting contract proposals from the Burley Highway District on the matter.
b) Matter will be removed from the future agendas until a contract has been received.
10) 9:20 AM Review and approve Burley Lion's Spudman Triathlon Special Event Resource Request
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, February 23, 2026
14) 9:30 AM Discuss public lands impact on Cassia County with ldaho Business for the Outdoors - H Eastman
a) Heather Eastman appeared before the Board to discuss ldaho Public Lands. She discussed that they are
going to meet with all county commissioners in ldaho to discuss the impact of public lands.
b) She stressed that they are not an environmental group and that they have mining and timber companies
on their rolls. She explained that they need to look at the balance in the use of the public lands for the
benefit of the residents as well as economic growth. They were noted to be concerned about any
proposed sale of public lands. She explained that she is gathering information about the concerns and
challenges each of the counties are facing.
c) Commissioner Searle discussed the challenges of road maintenance across the public lands, in particular
the Howell Canyon Road. Federalfunding was discussed.
15) 9:50 AM Schedule Tax Deed Hearing date and time for 2022 Delinquent Properties - Treasurer
a) Treasurer Greener discussed that there are several properties on the delinquent list.
b) The tax deed hearing was sched uled fot T /27 /2026 at 11:30 AM.
16) 9:53 AM Review and file Designation of Depositories Treasurer
a) Treasurer Greener explained that the designation of depositories is done annually.
b) Greener explained the various documents being presented to the Board for signatures.
9:54 AM Motion and Action: Accept the documents from D.L. Evans as a depository for Cassia County as
presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously
9:55 AM Motion and Action: Accept documents from Zions Bancorp as a depository for Cassia County as
presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously
9:56 AM Motion and Action: Approve the documents from Northwest Bank as a depository for Cassia County as
presented, Moved by Kent R. Searle - Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member. Motion passed unanimously
9:56 AM Motion and Action: Approve the documents from ldaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) as a depository for
Cassia County as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion
passed unanimously.
17) 9:57 AM Department Head Reports lncluding Budgetary Updates
a) Reports were received from Treasurer Laura Greener, Assessor Mart Adams, SheriffJarrod Thompson,
Undersheriff Kevin Horak, Coroner Craig Rinehart, Extension Educator Grace Wittman, Deputy Auditor
Sharene Ahlin, Building and Zoning Administrator Kerry McMurray, Adult Misdemeanor Probation
Director Amber Prewitt, Building and Grounds Supervisor Pete Hernandez, Noxious Weed Control
Supervisor Michael Ottley,
b) General matters were reported. ltems of note included:
i) Treasurer Greener noted that the 2025 occupancy and sub rolls have been billed and will have a
single payment d u e date of 6/20/2026. she noted that there were interest earnings for Ja nua ry in
the a mount of s4!,315.17.
ii) The Assessor's Office is accepting property tax reduction applications as well as requests for
exemptions. Assessor Adams noted that they have seen problems with DMV software which has
resulted in some limited office closures while they've worked on correcting the matters.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Monday, February 23, 2026
3lPage
18) 10:43 AM Executive Sessions pursuant to ldaho Code 574-206 (1)(b) to discuss personnel matters, (d)to
consider records exempt from public disclosure and (i) to communicate with risk manager/insurer regarding
pending/imminently-likely claim
10:43 AM Motion and Action: Enter Executive Session pursuant to ldaho Code 974-206 (1) (b) to consider
personnel issues, ldaho Code 5 74-206 (1) (d) to consider records that are exempt from public disclosure, and
ldaho Code 574-2OG (1) (i) to communicate with risk manager/insurer regarding pend ing/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.
11:25 AM Upon exit of Executive Session, the board took the matter under advisement
1:05 PM Motion and Action: Authorize the purchase of a 2026 Dodge Pursuit Durango for the Sheriff's
Department, with a list price of 543,305.00 less a 59,000.00 trade in value for a balance due of S34,305.00 as
presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
REGUTAR SESSION
Monday, F ebtuary 21, 2026
4lPage
19) 11:25 AM Construction project status report and items for consideration - Gary Jones Construction
a) Don Christopherson from Gary Jones Construction appeared before the Board to present the latest
update- He explained that the compaction tests that have been completed and were successful, with
additional compaction tests to be conducted today.
b) Commissioner Searle mentioned that there may need to be some additional conduit included for lT
when the building site work is being completed.
20) 11:28 AM Discuss available resources through localcongressionaloffices - Senator Risch Office
a) Mike Matthews from Senator Risch's office appeared to provide an update on the services they provide.
b) Samantha Marshall with Senator Crapo's office assured the Board that they will follow up with the
agencies related to funding for weed control efforts.
c) The funding for the Howell Canyon Road maintenance was discussed. Mathews discussed that he would
take the concerns expressed by the Board for the road maintenance costs to the USFS and the BLM.
271 L2:05 PM Reports of USFS and BLM
a) 12:05 PM BLM
i) BLM field manager John Elliott introduced Birk Roseman as the new BLM Twin Falls district manager.
ii) The separation of assets to the Wildland Fire Service from the BLM has occurred. The BLM and the
Dept. of Interior will report to a geographic fire manager with fires and recovery efforts to be
administered regionally.
b\ 12:24 PM USFS
i) Daniel Fisher, USFS recreational manager appeared to present an update to the Board.
ii) He noted that there are currently four open positions for our area and explained that they would
hope to fill those positions with local candidates. Those positions are listed on USA Jobs.
22) 1:00 PM Consider request to purchase two law enforcement vehicles with trade-ins - Sheriff Thompson
a) 5heriff Thompson discussed that he would prefer to purchase the two Dodge Durango vehicles.
b) He suggested that they could continue to discuss leasing with Enterprise possibly for the next budget
year, noting that for some entities that leasing could make sense.
1:07 PM Motion and Action: authorize the chair to sign title for the 2018 Dodge Charger which is being traded in
Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
c) 1:08 PM There was discussion that the second vehicle being traded in has had $1,000.00 allowed as a
trade in allowance. That vehicle is a 2018 Dodge Charger that had a mechanical failure which resulted in
damage to the transm ission.
1:09 PM Motion and Action: Approve the purchase of the second Dodge Durango Pursuit in the amount of
542,305.00 which does reflect a trade in value of $1,000.00 as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member,
Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed unanimously.
1:10 PM Motion and Action: Authorize the chair to sign the release of the title for the 2018 Dodge Charger as a
trade in as presented, Moved by Bob Kunau - Member, Seconded by Kent R. Searle - Member. Motion passed
unanimously.
23) 1:15 PM Adjourn
1:15 PM Motion and Action: Adjourn, Moved by Kent R. Searle Member, Seconded by Bob Kunau - Member
Motion passed una n imously.
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
RE6UtAR SESSION
Monday, F ebruary 23, 2026
5lPage
APPROVED:
Leonard M. Beck, Chair
DEPUTY CLERK OF THE BOARD:
Sharene Ahlin
CASSIA COUNTY COMMISSION
RE6ULAR SESSION
Monday, February 23, 2026
6lPage
Cassia County Commissioner Meeting
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0212012026 ll:23:45 FN502WBS MICHELLE WALLACE
CASSIA COIJNTY
PAGE I OF I
BOTH UNPAID CLAIMS & DEMANDS CENERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS
* UNAPPROVED DEMANDS APPEAR IN ACTUALS AND ALSO AS AN INVOICE
Fund
GENERAL FUND (CURRENT EXPENSE)
ROAD & BRIDGE
DISTRICT COURT
JUSTICE FUND
911 COMMUNICATIONS
SOC IAL SERVI CES-ASSI STANCE
PHYSICAL FACILITIES
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FUND
39% OF FISCAL YEAR ELAPSED
Budget
Actual
DemandiClaims Budget
7" Budeet
Amt
Remaining Remaining
0001
0002
0006
0008
001 3
001 6
0029
0048
5,093,499.00
712,150.00
399,326.00
15,639,677.00
954,840.00
99,000.00
12,531 ,140.00
4,295,615.00
1,812,487.13
117,382.57
147,937.30
5,325,634.56
45,297.78
38,678.52
947,840.68
1,419,764.71
Total Amount Paid
SSIONER
8,020.88
47.68
9,318.34
29,817.64
't1 ,943.58
500.00
18,707.60
27,218.36
3,281,O11.87
594,767.43
251,388.70
10,314,O42.44
909,542.22
60,321.48
11,583,299.32
2,875,850.29
64o/o
8404
63%
660/o
95%
61%
92%
67%
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 TREASURY.
APPROVED FOR DISTRIBUTIONAS OF
J
105,574.08
t,.$gnoate
Nome
COMMISSIONER
COMMISSIONER
2-dJ -3Qa
Ade
{o"e,rtyO"* tr ctarlrotdrBo.nl
* WARNING: This fund is over budget
SUMNIARY CLAIMS APPR
INCLUDING
BUDGET
AL
LA REPORT
NCES
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