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minutes meeting date 2026-01-12 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 18278 characters · official file · plain text
BOCC Jan 12 2026 Regular Meeting FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES January 12, 2026 Present for the meeting were: Commissioners Blair Dance, Rick Hill, and Mark Chandler Also attended by: Clerk Meredith Mattingly, Deputy Clerk Kim Fletcher, and Attorney Blake Hall via Zoom Commissioner Dance called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. Treasurer Lori Beard RE: Tax Cancellations – action item; Department Report Ms. Beard presented the tax cancellations for the month of December 2025 in the amount of $25,892.02. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the tax cancellations for the month of December 2025 in the amount of $25,892.02. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Ms. Beard reported her office mailed out just under 19,000 bills in November; this is processed by a 3rd party, which is helpful because her office would not have the time to finish with all of the other work they need to do. In November we collected $2M. There is an issue with ATR’s and HTR’s that count pennies that should be zeroed out, so people will get a bill telling them they are delinquent for a penny. She doesn’t have a way to fix it at this time; it’s a problem in the background that cannot even be seen on their screens, so she can’t fix it in the system herself, our software company has to waive the fee on their end when they are found. It’s an issue she has been dealing with for a couple of years and she hopes there will be a fix soon. In December, they received several bad checks that amounted to about $30,000. We had more people pay just the first half of their taxes rather than paying in full. She feels these are indicators that things are tough for people financially at this time. They processed 37,000 transactions in December. In November they collected $13.4M, which could be taxes from 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025. The uncollected balance is $7.7M. In January they will be working on Sub Roll and delinquent reminders. They will be working on 2022 for the tax deeds, and currently there are 52 parcels on that list. She will get on next week’s agenda to update the Commissioners about our investments. We can no longer get pennies, there are rumors the nickel will also be discontinued but there isn’t a set date for that to happen. There will be a discussion at IAC about this issue and what to do moving forward. She doesn’t know what the cost will be for software to do those adjustments. Her office has received complaints about the security; they have tried to explain it is for them as well as us. She believes people are more upset that the world has gotten to this point that we need security in our buildings. Commissioners RE: Executive Session IC 74-206(1)(b) – action item Commissioner Dance made a motion to go into executive session pursuant to IC 74-206(1)(b) To consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student; at 9:29 a.m. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with Commissioner Dance voting “Aye”, Commissioner Hill voting “Aye”, and Commissioner Chandler voting “Aye”. Commissioner Dance declared the meeting open at 10:06 a.m. Commissioners RE: Quarterly Jail Inspection – action item Commissioners performed the quarterly jail inspection. Fair Board Ange Webster RE: Fairgrounds Tractor – action item Ms. Webster discussed trading the tractor they currently have, which is only a 40hp tractor, for a 100hp tractor. She presented several bids, 3 of them are available. There is 1 in Washington from Agri-Service she is still waiting for information about that could potentially save us a lot of money. For some reason the other dealer that has it won’t release it, but hopefully she will have more information in a week. C&B Operations – 2025 John Deere $89,982.71 (Trade in $7,070.59) August Delivery 2024 John Deere $86,849.37 (Trade in $7,070.59) In Stock Mountain West Equipment – 2025 Kubota 25-111HDC $94,278.33 (Trade in $14,770.59) In Stock Tractor Service – 2025 New Holland Workmaster 105 $82,370.59 (6,370.59) In Stock Agri-Service – 2025 Massey Ferguson 4710M $73,830 (Trade in $4,030) Waiting for Dealer She could wait another week to see if she is able to get anymore information back about the tractor in Washington, just because of the potential for savings. Commissioners asked her to return next week in the hopes she is able to get an official bid back from Agri-Service for the tractor in Washington. The fair board would also like approval to pay for the arena groomer. They will just pay for it out of their budget. She feels it is a good size and they will be happy with it. She is going to look into sponsors to help pay for it as well. Commissioner Hill made a motion to accept the bid from Hobby Time Equipment for the arena drag in the amount of $8,350.00 with the possibility of an additional $200, to be paid from the Fair Board budget. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Planning and Building Planner Dusty Rigby RE: Teton Peaks Division #1 – action item Ms. Rigby presented application #25-037 for Teton Peaks Division #1 along with Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law and Decision. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve application #25-037 for Logan Bingham - Teton Peaks Division #1 2-lot short plat along with Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law and Decision. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Sidney Decker / Congressman Simpson, Kathryn Hitch / Senator Crapo, Kyle Wilson / Senator Rische RE: Check in with the Commissioners A delegation from our legislative representatives attended today’s meeting to check in with the commissioners and see how things are going with the county, and if they have any concerns they might like them to take back to our representatives. Commissioners stated one of the things they would like to see pushed is the 4-lane highway from Chester to Ashton. The project keeps being delayed. Commissioner Dance stated that when he was first elected as a Commissioner, the project was scheduled for 2022. It has since been pushed to 2029. Ms. Hitch stated she didn’t realize the project had been pushed back so far, but she believes it is a group in Island Park that is causing the delay. Ms. Decker asked if wildlife crossings are something Fremont County would like to see across our highways. Commissioners stated this same group in Island Park is very against the wildlife crossings so the project isn’t something that has been pushed. Commissioner Chandler discussed concerns about the mental health funding being cut for the justice and juvenile justice systems, and the concern that these funds will have to come from the counties at some point. He also discussed the issues with the invasive species in our waterways. We are going to start a program and believe we can do it for about $200,000, but it would be nice to get some help. We also need to know where everyone else stands on the issue to try to determine how hard we fight it if no one else seems to really care. The state is doing a program, but it is not sufficient. Ms. Hitch stated there are emergency funds available for the quagga mussels that the county could look into; the legislature started a fund to address this issue. They also started an emergency fund for the Mormon Crickets that are available if needed. Commissioner Dance expressed concerns about the costs of software, how it doesn’t fit in county budgets, and the need for the state to help with the funding of those costs rather than cutting that funding. A 3.0% budget cap isn’t helpful when software requires a 5-7% built in contract for 5-7 years. Mr. Hall asked for an update about funding for PILT and what the county’s expectations might be. Ms. Hitch stated the SRS funding has been reauthorized through 2026 and will be able to be used on projects until 2028. She does not have an update about PILT, but she believes those funds are on track for 2026. Mr. Hall thanked them for continuing to work on this issue. He feels the legislature should continue to work on a formula that puts the money where more federal land is, and not just in counties where more population is, so that we don’t have the burden without the revenue. He also encourages the legislature to be cautious with their decisions when it comes to unfunded mandates that make their way down to the county level. It’s great that counties have the responsibility they do, because they are the closest governmental entity to the people. But, the legislature needs to be cautious when they believe they are solving problems by mandating things if they aren’t providing the revenue needed for counties to accomplish those mandates. Public Works Director Brandon Harris thanked the delegation and asked them to pass on those thanks for grants he has applied for over the last 10 years for Public Works and Road and Bridge projects we have been able to get done in the county. Ms. Decker stated they will be doing another round of community project funding in April, so if we have projects we would like to do, he can submit his applications to those programs. Ms. Hitch stated if there are ever federal grants he would like to get approval for, he can reach out to their offices and they can watch out for those projects and help with approval. Commissioners thanked them for their time and coming to visit with us today. Public Works Director Brandon Harris RE: Executive Session IC 74-206(1)(c)(b) – action items; Bridge Closure – action item; Last Chance WWTP Loan Letter – action item Commissioner Dance made a motion to go into executive session pursuant to IC 74-206(1)(c) To acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency; (b) To consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student; at 1:47 p.m. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with Commissioner Dance voting “Aye”, Commissioner Hill voting “Aye”, and Commissioner Chandler voting “Aye”. Commissioner Dance declared the meeting open at 2:16 p.m. Mr. Harris stated the Vernon Bridge project is pretty much complete. We have to pass a resolution for that project. We’re looking at cost estimates of about $8M, and we will have to pay 7.34%. He did not bring it with him this week, but he will bring it to the next meeting. Mr. Harris discussed closing a bridge in Egin on N 1600 E. The structure is being undermined due to erosion. Underneath the bridge is filled with debris; it was replaced many years ago, but the footings weren’t replaced, and it was built about 2 feet too low, so the bridge is getting submerged with water when the canal is flowing during the summer. There are several issues with replacing this bridge. The first is that there is a bridge right next to it that will also need to be replaced because it will need to be raised up 2 feet in order for the road to be even. The second issue is that there is a driveway entrance to a home right between both bridges. He recommends condemning the bridge at this point because it is a hazard. Letters will be sent out this week to let people know about the closure and construction, as well as the detour. Next week we’ll close the bridge. This project was unplanned, but he is looking at about $600,000 to replace both bridges. Mr. Harris presented a loan letter for the Last Chance Waste Water Treatment Plant. This will allow us to borrow some additional money as a “rainy day” fund for the treatment plant to use if the need comes up. We are making more money in our reserves than what the state is going to charge us on interest on this loan, and we have several lift stations that need attention. If we borrow this money and don’t need it for the treatment plant, we can apply it to the lift stations. The amount he would like to ask for is $1,212,000.69. Commissioner Dance made a motion to approve the letter of request to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality for an additional funding shortfall “rainy day” fund of $1,212,000.69 contingent upon legal review by our Civil Attorney Blake Hall. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Fair Board Nora Terry RE: Letter of Support – action item Ms. Terry requested a letter of support from the Commissioners to write a grant to try to get money for walkways for the fairgrounds. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve a letter of support for a grant for the walkway at the fairgrounds. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Dance RE: No Wake Zone – action item Commissioner Dance discussed the implementation of a no-wake zone at the Buttermilk Campground. Our Parks and Rec Director Greg Grant is on board with this plan; they would like to include all 5 boat ramps in the no-wake zone. Mr. Grant explained that the Sheriff’s office has expressed a desire to have a no-wake zone around boat ramps in the Island Park Reservoir. State code allows us to extend those out to 100 feet. We would like to do that with all 5 boat ramps and establish a 5mph speed limit within that zone. Commissioner Dance would like to extend the zone from Buttermilk Campground out 300 feet for the safety of the non-motorized watercraft users, which would include the boat ramp in that location. Commissioner Hill asked if these 5 docks are on the Island Park reservoir. Mr. Grant said yes. Commissioner Hill asked if these distances would be marked with buoys. Mr. Grant said yes. Commissioner Dance asked about Frome Park on Henry’s Lake, and whether or not we should have a no-wake zone in that location. Mr. Grant stated it could be an option. Though it isn’t as much of an issue in that location, it isn’t uncommon to have people powerloading into that dock; not as much off of it. Commissioner Chandler asked about Ashton Reservoir. Mr. Grant stated we may not be able to do them in Ashton, just because of how narrow the reservoir is as well as the river current. Mr. Hall stated that Idaho Law already currently establishes no-wake zones as part of state statute, so the County Commissioners would only need to establish a resolution to determine where these no wake zones would be located and then have them properly marked, and the Sheriff’s Department would be able to issue citations on the water. Commissioner Dance asked how much the citation would be. Mr. Hall didn’t know, he didn’t research that portion of the law, but he can find out. Commissioner Dance made a motion to establish no-wake zones at the 5 Island Park docks and the Frome Park Boat Launch, with 5 docks being extended out to 100 feet, and Buttermilk Campground being extended out to 300 feet. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. There was a discussion about whether or not they could extend the Buttermilk location to 300 feet if the state statute is only 100 feet. Someone may contest this. Commissioner Chandler suggested reducing the distance to 100 feet and seeing if we need to extend Buttermilk further after a season. Commissioner Dance modified his motion to have all 6 docks extended to 100 feet and see if we need to extend further after a season. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Grant asked where the funding would come from for the buoys. Commissioner Dance had a budget set aside from the ARPA funds of about $10,000 for the buoys as well as the other equipment. Mr. Grant will get these costs together and get them to Commissioner Dance for an item to discuss for the next meeting. Commissioners RE: Open RFQ’s for Courthouse Security Expansion – action item Commissioner Hill explained we put out an advertisement for RFQ for a construction manager and general contractor services for our security entrance. We received 2; we have one from Big D, and another from Core and Headwaters combined. Commissioner Hill made a motion to send these bids to a review committee to review, which will consist of himself, Brandon Harris, and Sheriff Bart Quayle, and they will send a recommendation back to the Commissioners not later than our February 2nd meeting. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Miscellaneous Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve the claims for January 12, 2026 as presented. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve the minutes from January 5, 2026 as presented. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the Junior College Application for the College of Eastern Idaho Spring 2026 academic year for Jalyssa Stoddard and Maricrus Tinajero. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioners discussed who will attend the East Idaho State Fair Annual Board Meeting. Commissioner Hill is planning on going. The meeting will be next Thursday. Commissioner Chandler will check his schedule and if he can attend, he will. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:06 p.m. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. There being no further business to come before the board the meeting was adjourned. _________________________________ Blair Dance, Chairman Fremont County Commissioner Attest: _____________________________ Meredith Mattingly, Clerk HISTORY Recorded by Min. 611424 Regular Commissioner Meeting 01-12-2026 on 1/20/2026
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