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minutes meeting date 2026-02-02 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 19229 characters · official file · plain text
BOCC Feb 2 2026 Regular Meeting FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES February 2, 2026 Present for the meeting were: Commissioners Blair Dance, Rick Hill, and Mark Chandler Also attended by: Clerk Meredith Mattingly, Deputy Clerk Kim Fletcher, Civil Attorney Blake Hall, Treasurer Lori Beard, and Assessor Carol Blanchard Commissioner Chandler offered the prayer. Treasurer Lori Beard led the pledge. Commissioner Dance called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. Assessor Carol Blanchard reported she attended the IAC meetings in Boise. They went well and she appreciates the opportunity to attend. There was a discussion with our Representatives about the software issue and possibilities to move forward towards a statewide resolution. There is no money in the budget for the State to be able to help with software, so the ask for funding has been put on the backburner, but our Representatives are still willing to help with discussions to find solutions. The Property Tax Reduction Program is in full force in her office and they have been busy; the deadline to finish those is April 15th. She has a meeting with our State Consulting Appraiser this week to discuss compliance. She is currently interviewing for the empty position in DMV and hopes to fill the position next week. Treasurer Lori Beard reported at the beginning of January we build the Sub Roll. We have 72 parcels on the Sub Roll but only sent out 71 bills. They sent out about 1600 delinquent notices. We are hoping to get 95 mobile homes paid before we have to send out Warrant of Distraints on them. We collected $524,000 in taxes. She also enjoyed the IAC conference and appreciates the opportunity to go. She learned some new skills that will be helpful for her, and she also learned some information about records retention. Clerk Meredith Mattingly reported she also attended the IAC conference, and felt it was very valuable and there is a lot of information available. She was able to meet her mentor, Pam Eckhart from Bingham County. She is continuing to settle in and learning where she can. Commissioner Hill reported the Fair Board had a meeting last month; they have a few new members that are very active. They are working on a 5-year and a 10-year plan and he feels there will be some good things happing at the fair grounds. He’s participated in several committee meetings to select the RFQ for the security entrance, which will be selected and announced in today’s meeting. He attended the East Idaho Solid Waste Meeting; they are still trying to close out the short-term loans and move them into long term loans but the process has been discouraging. Hopefully they will be able to do it this month. He and Commissioner Chandler attended East Idaho State Fair Board meeting in Blackfoot, and they discussed their plans for the fair and improvements they have made. He met with someone to draw up plans for the front portion of our North Annex building, as well as the Office Building out to the Stud Mill, hopefully we can get those projects started soon. He attended the IAC meetings which are always good. There were several meetings on Planning and Zoning which were very informative. The records retention meeting was interesting and he was amazed at how many records each department keeps; he feels this information can be applied to our county and we can re-evaluate our retention, but streamlining it will take some time. He is on the Magistrate Committee; they were scheduled to have a meeting last week in Custer county, but it was cancelled due to a withdrawl. It will be rescheduled and there will be interviews. Commissioner Chandler reported he attended the 5C board meeting, but it is becoming a mess and going every direction but where it should. They have been trying to find solutions but are struggling. He has been working with some people on a plan for river safety and is involving our Parks and Rec Director, to try to get information to visitors to our county about how to be safe in our waterways. They also met with the Henry’s Fork Foundation and the Fremont Irrigation District to discuss the issue with them and hopefully get permission to post a warning sign on Fun Farm Bridge. The invasive species issue; everyone wants to help, everyone wants to find a solution, but no one wants to put any money into it. He has been working with Bryce Fowler to come up with ideas to deal with the situation in Fremont County. He and Mr. Fowler had a zoom meeting with the ISDA and other stake holders; they are adding the zebra mussel to the invasive species list and are trying to figure out how to deal with it. He attended the IAC meetings in Boise and it was very interesting for him. He’s never been in the State Capitol and has never seen the Senate work. He was able to meet a lot of good people and talk with our legislators about the issues going on in our county. He appreciated the opportunity to attend. Commissioner Dance reported he attended the RC&D and Cloud Seeding meetings; they are trying to get themselves set up for this next season. They were not able to get more than 250 hours of cloud seeding in December but were able to get some moisture. He is expecting the January report to be dismal because we haven’t had clouds to be able to seed. He wasn’t able to attend the State Fair meeting, but he did attend the East Idaho Public Health Board meeting and they were able to get their plans set for the year. He finished the month with another Flood50 meeting; they are still working through planning phases of the week of events during the commemoration. They would like to do a cleanup on a portion of the river, as well as some restoration projects. He attended the IAC meetings in Boise. He is part of a committee promoting a local option tax to allow a lodging tax on short term rentals and hotels and motels or other short term lodgings to help recreation counties. This would benefit our county more than any other county because of recreation in our county. He had a good meeting with our state delegation that was very valuable; they are busy but cut out time for us and we appreciate their support. Chief Deputy Clerk Debbie Biorn 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 9:39 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 9:46 a.m. Public Works Director Brandon Harris 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 10:10 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 10:35 a.m. Phillip Quayle RE: Assistance for Senior Center – action item Mr. Quayle requested assistance for the senior center. Because he is on the Board, he has been asked to seek volunteer help due to the cost of meat and other food supplies for the Senior Center as well as the Meals on Wheels program. He is hoping someone in the community would be willing to donate beef to the program. They are also looking for other aid sources; the local LDS church has one representative that helps them, but their resources are becoming less and less. Food Stamps are also becoming an issue, the rules have changed; if Seniors have the ability to work, they are required to work 80 hours a month in order to keep their food stamps. Blake Hall stated the county can’t help with Food Stamps because it isn’t a County run program; the Department of Health and Welfare is a State entity, so if they need help with their Food Stamps, they will need to go there. They have facilities in Rexburg and Idaho Falls. Mr. Quayle would like to see a column in the paper for the Commissioners that gives positive information to the county about the work they are doing in the community, because there is so much negative misinformation circulating; he wants the Commissioners to be able to have the positive voice he feels they deserve because there are so many good things they do for the county. He is tired of the negativity. Parks and Rec Director Greg Grant RE: Forest Service Trail Grooming Agreement – action item; Quote for Tables for Frome Park Grant – action item; ForeUp License, CC Fee Contract – action item Mr. Grant presented our annual forest service trail grooming agreement for approval. Typically, this would be done before the season starts, but the government shut down shifted procedures. The format of the document is different from previous years, but the information in it is the same. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the Supplemental Cost Share Project Agreement Between Fremont County and the USDA Forest Service Caribou-Targhee National Forest for the 2025-2026 year. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Grant presented a quote for 7 concrete tables for Frome Park. When he started, the grant was still open and we were given an extension. Our portion of this will be 20%, we’ll have to pay the full amount up front but will be reimbursed 80% of the cost after an inspection. The total cost will be $16,688.63 from Barco Products. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to accept the bid from Barco Products in the amount of $16,688.63 for the precast concrete tables for Frome Park, with 80% being reimbursed after inspection. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Grant presented a credit card fee contract and license for ForeUp for the Golf Course. We will be getting a flat fee of $.20 per transaction and .95% of each transaction. Commissioner Dance made a motion to approve the license agreement for ForeUp and authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioners RE: Review Recommendations and Award Contract for Security Expansion – action item Commissioner Hill stated we started into this project several weeks ago, searching for a construction manager for our security entrance construction project. We received 2 applications, one from Big D Construction, and the other from Core and Headwaters jointly, and the committee had several meetings to discuss these applications. All 3 committee members were unanimous in their decision as they scored for a contractor. In the end they scored Core and Headwaters slightly higher than Big D. He thanked both contractors for their applications and stated it was a difficult decision. The committee recommends offering the Construction Manager position to Core and Headwaters. Commissioner Hill made a motion to accept Core and Headwaters in a joint effort as Construction Manager. Commissioner Dance seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Chief Deputy Sheriff Cody Gudmunson RE: Elevator Contract – action item Mr. Gudmunson presented our elevator contract for the jail for renewal. Last month our elevator was serviced and we were told that next week, it will be going out of warranty. This is a 5-year contract, so it may need to be modified. Blake Hall stated he only just had a chance to review the contract and there are problems with it. This is a 5-year non-cancellable contract that extends into another 5-year non-cancellable contract, so they are essentially trying to hold us to 10 years. From a legal standpoint, he can’t recommend signing this contract as it is worded because this Board cannot hold future Commissions to this contract. It would be better if it was an annual contract. Mr. Gudmunson stated he could ask if they would modify this to a yearly contract, but he isn’t sure how it will affect our current warranty; it may expire before we can get a new contract written up and approved. There was a brief discussion about the company who services the elevator in the courthouse, their contract length (currently an annual contract), and the differences in cost. Commissioner Hill feels we should reach out to TK, who services the elevator for the Courthouse and get a bid for the cost to do both elevators annually. Commissioners RE: Executive Session IC 74-206(1)(a); Appoint and/or Reappoint Fairboard Members – 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 1:00 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 2:00 p.m. Commissioner Hill made a motion to appoint Samantha Miller and Jennifer Zapata to serve on the Fremont County Fair Board. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioners RE: Executive Session IC 74-206(1)(a)(b); Appoint and/or Reappoint Planning and Zoning Members – 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; (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 2:01 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 2:47 p.m. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to re-appoint Jim Jorgenson to serve as a Commissioner on the Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission for a term of 3 years, and to appoint Kristen Andelin and Shellie Blanchard to serve as new Commissioners on the Fremont County Planning and Zoning Commission, also for terms of 3 years. Commissioner Hill 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 February 2, 2025 as presented. Commissioner Chandler 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 20, 2025 as amended. 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 Isabel Munos Morales and Josie Parkinson. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Dance discussed the Ashton Senior Citizen Center. Due to some health issues with the spouse of the driver and building manager, he has resigned. Brett Griffell will replace him as their dedicated driver, and has also agreed to take on the building manager responsibilities. Mr. Griffell will also monitor and store the tires for the bus, and will be building a small expansion onsite for those tires and other supplies. Commissioner Chandler discussed a property the County possesses in Marysville. He feels we can’t be complacent about the invasive species issue. He believes there are a lot of people that would pay well to own riverfront property, and we could use those funds towards dealing with this issue; he would like to sell this property to raise those funds. Although everyone says they want to do something about the invasive species, no one really seems to want to deal with it, or put any money toward handling it. The state doesn’t have funding to run a program, but neither does anyone else. He and Bryce Fowler believe we would need about $200,000 to run a program for a season. Blake Hall stated we would first need to find out how we acquired the property. This would impact what we would be allowed to do with the property. If it was donated or acquired with a grant, there may be stipulations to what we can do with it. If it was acquired via tax deed, there would be another procedure moving forward. There may also be questions about the easement. We need to do more research before we can do anything. Commissioner Chandler understands. At this point it is only an idea and he is happy to do the proper research on the property before moving forward. Commissioner Hill asked if Commissioner Chandler intends to use any funds we might make to run a program with the state or if we would do our own program. He wonders if there might be some conflict. Commissioner Chandler stated we would work in conjunction with them, but ultimately Fremont County will take care of Fremont County, and the state can do whatever they are going to do, because the state’s program is inadequate. We need to take care of ourselves at this point because no one is really helping. Commissioners discussed Pay App #13 for the Last Chance WWTP in the amount of $526,561.00. Commissioner Dance made a motion to approve Pay App #13 for the Last Chance WWTP in the amount of $526,561.00, and authorized Chairman Dance to sign the reimbursement documents when we receive them. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:48 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. 611633 Regular Commissioner Meeting 02-02-2026 on 2/9/2026
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