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minutes meeting date 2026-01-20 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 13450 characters · official file · plain text
BOCC Jan 20 2026 Regular Meeting FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Present for the meeting were: Commissioners Blair Dance, Rick Hill, and Mark Chandler Also attended by: Clerk Meredith Mattingly, Civil Attorney Blake Hall via Zoom Commissioner Dance called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. Probation Director Darin Burrell RE: Quarterly Update Mr. Burrell presented the quarterly report. Mr. Burrell answered questions regarding Misdemeanor Supervision Caseload. Mr. Burrell answered questions regarding Juvenile Probation Supervision. Mr. Burrell discussed JMP (Juveniles Making Progress) Court. Fremont County pulled out of the Juvenile JMP Court. Mr. Burrell discussed recent Medicaid behavioral health service reductions and the potential ramifications to Counties. Mr. Burrell urges the commissioners to visit with IAC leaders and express their heart-felt concern. Commissioner Dance expressed his appreciation to Mr. Burrell’s department for the work they do for the community and specifically, the juveniles of Fremont County. Treasurer Lori Beard RE: Investment Updates; Credit Card Request – action item Ms. Beard updated the commissioners about the county’s investments. Ms. Beard requested a credit card for Search and Rescue, Ron Sykes, with a credit limit of $2,500.00 Commissioner Dance made a motion to approve the credit card for Search and Rescue commander, Ron Sykes, with a credit limit of $2,500.00. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Extension Tom Jacobsen RE: Faculty Goals and Responsibilities – action item Mr. Jacobsen discussed activities of the extension office. Faculty goals and responsibilities are changing through the university. Mr. Jacobsen’s responsibilities are now 70% food production systems, 20% 4H development, 10% horticulture and small farms. 4H component changed by 5%, from 25% to 20%. Mr. Jacobsen is heavily involved in the Robotics program. He is always working on grant applications to get robotics in more schools. Right now, robotics are present in approximately 9 different schools. Mr. Jacobsen provides education and demonstrations with technology and plants to local schools. He is working with the College of Eastern Idaho in this endeavor. The College of Eastern Idaho are developing an Ag Technology degree. Mr. Jacobsen discussed the different classes being offered in the coming year through the Extension office. He spoke specifically about the “Green thumb” class. Mr. Jacobsen is attending Seed School this week. Forage school will be held in March. Calving school was held last week. The Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the work that the extension office does. They also discussed the upcoming move of the Extension office to a new location. ITD Eli Robinson RE: Project Updates and County Coordination – action item Mr. Robinson and his colleague discussed the desire for clearer communication between Fremont County and the Idaho Transportation Department. Regarding 300 N: ITD has an agreement written (MOU drafted) to close 300 N and begin work on some cul-de-sacs. The bridge on 2200 is super narrow. Regarding Chester to Ashton corridor: This is still in the design process. The plan is to increase the two travel lanes to four travel lanes from Chester to Ashton. Several approaches that currently tie into highway 20 will need ended and capped off. ITD has a rough draft plan for the MOU. Once a master plan is developed with frontage roads, cul-de-sac’s etc.… the County will have the opportunity to look at the plan and give their input. A public hearing is set for later this summer, where the proposed preferred alternative 4-lane highway will be presented to the public. ITD is currently experiencing some friction in the process. Once this friction is resolved they can move forward with the public hearing. ITD addressed questions posed by Mr. Brandon Harris regarding the 4-lane highway and the railroad tracks located on 400 N. Sewer Roger Merrill RE: Sewer O&M Fees for a Project in Island Park – action item Mr. Merrill discussed the fees for landfill and sewer. The county has been great to work with. Mr. Merrill feels there should be guidance on how the O&M fees are applied to business owners between when the license is obtained, the construction phase complete, and occupancy occurs. Mr. Merrill is asking to get a discount in fees between the date of licensure and the date of construction completion. Mr. Jon Simms explained a letter was issued to Mr. Merrill May 5, 2025. Mr. Simms continued, as soon as a ‘will serve’ is out there, a permit is issued, and the property is put on the fee schedule. Fremont County’s Ordinance is clear in regard to the billing of the Sewer O&M Fees describing when the cycle starts and when the County begins assessing fees. Mr. Simms followed Fremont County’s Ordinance. Mr. Blake Hall says the Ordinance is clear and the County has been consistent in following the Ordinance. He states, unless the Commissioners decide to change the Ordinance there can’t be any relief in regards to this matter. Ms. Beard explains that the sewer fee is actually for the 2026 year. The tax bill is for the previous year, but the sewer fees are for the coming year. Mr. Hall reiterated the timing of fees; fees are for the 2026 year and taxes are for the previous year. Commissioner Hill asked about when the Ordinance was adopted. Mr. Simms answers 2010. Commissioner Hill explains we need to be consistent. The Ordinance will be reviewed in the near future. But Commissioner Hill doesn’t see that we have any other choice but to follow the Ordinance at this time. Commissioner Dance is reluctant to change or set a new precedent. Commissioner Dance believes we need to apply the Ordinance the same way going forward. He states, the County needs to be consistent. The Commissioners appreciate Mr. Merrill coming in and being civil in regard to this matter. Mr. Merrill reiterates a need to look over the Ordinance and make some changes. Fair Board Ange Webster RE: Fairgrounds Tractor – action item Ms. Webster returned with bid information on the tractor for the fairgrounds. Ms. Webster discussed in more detail the Agri-Service bid. Commissioner Hill made a motion to accept the bid from Agri-Service. $25,230.59 of the payment to come from ARPA, $50,000.00 (used to pay off current debt owed on current tractor- and will be treated as ‘trade-in’ value with Agri-Service) of the payment to come from PILT. The PILT money will be repaid by the Fair Board through annual payments for 5 years at $10,000 a year. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Brandon Harris RE: Vernon Bridge Resolution – action item; 1600 N Bridge Closure – action item; Executive Session IC 74-206(1)(b) – action item Mr. Harris presented Resolution No 2026-08 regarding Vernon Bridge Commissioner Dance made a motion to adopt Resolution No 2026-08 to accept our portion of an LTAC project in the amount of $572,520.00. Motion amended to include the signing of the application. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Harris discussed the bridge closure on E 1600 N. Mr. Harris explained the Sheriff has to close the road. Commissioners all agreed closing the road while further investigation is made into the exact state of the bridge was the most prudent course of action. 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 11:20 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 11:35 a.m. EMS Director Bert Mecham RE: Change of Collection Vendor – action item; Agency Report Mr. Mecham discussed his agency report for October, November, and December 2025. Mr. Mecham discussed changing the vendor for EMS collections. Mr. Mecham explained for years the County has used Intermountain Services out of Idaho falls, but for the last three years they have been considering switching to a different collection agency. Mr. Mecham described two main reasons for the consideration: Recoveries have dropped and EMS has been getting a lot of calls from people who say they haven’t seen a bill. EMS currently pays 5.2% of what’s collected as a fee to Intermountain Services. Mr. Mecham shared that Research Designs Northwest is a collection company located in Washington State that is EMS specific. The company specializes in EMS collections. Mr. Mecham explains further that EMS has specific rules and regulations in regard to collections. Mr. Mecham says that both Clark County and Madison County use Research Designs Northwest for their EMS collections and are very happy with the service they have received. They have a flat fee of $25.00 per bill that they collect on. Mr. Mecham says based on what our current agency is collecting, we’d see a surplus of funds in the amount of $25,000.00 annually. Mr. Mecham explains further that Research Designs Northwest has a better communication policy, with actual live people answering their phones. Mr. Mecham says that our current vendor has no address verification system in place on billed individuals. Mr. Mecham says the new agency verifies addresses before the bills are sent out. He also says the new agency has better reporting standards. Commissioner Dance asks if there are any up-front costs associated with the change-over? Mr. Mecham explains during the shift there would be some additional charges of $15 per bill that is transferred to the new agency, with the standard charge of $25 per bill moving forward on new billing. He explains, once the change-over is made it should level out. The new agency does have the option of a percentage fee or fixed rate per bill. Mr. Hall advises to not make any decision until the current vendor contract is looked over. Planning and Building Administrator Tom Cluff RE: Department Report; Executive Session IC 74-206(1)(a) – action item Commissioner Dance made a motion to go into executive session pursuant to IC 74-206(1)(a) To consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need. This paragraph does not apply to filling a vacancy in an elective office or deliberations about staffing needs in general; at 1:07 p.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 1:59 p.m. Commissioner Hill made a motion to appoint Kristen Andelin as a new commissioner to the Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill made a motion to appoint Shellie Blanchard as a new commissioner to the Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill made a motion to re-appoint Jim Jorgeson as a commissioner to the Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Miscellaneous Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the claims for January 20, 2025 as presented. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the minutes from January 12, 2025 as amended. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the 2025-2026 Retail Alcoholic Beverage License for: # 46 Boondocks Roadhouse LLC. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Dance discussed the costs of the no-wake zone buoys and where those funds should come from. Our Parks and Rec Director Greg Grant collected some information about those costs and the total will come to about $8,960.00 Commissioner Dance made a motion to move forward with the proposed no-wake zone buoys in the amount of $8,960 to be taken from ARPA funds. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:27 p.m. Commissioner Chandler 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. 611560 Regular Commissioner Meeting 01-20-2026 on 2/2/2026
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