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minutes meeting date 2026-03-02 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 21682 characters · official file · plain text
BOCC Mar 2 2026 Regular Meeting FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES March 2, 2026 Present for the meeting was: Commissioners Blair Dance, Rick Hill, and Mark Chandler Also attended by: Clerk Meredith Mattingly, Deputy Clerk Kim Fletcher, Civil Attorney Blake Hall via Zoom, and Treasurer Lori Beard Commissioner Hill offered the prayer. Clerk Mattingly led the pledge. Commissioner Dance called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. Treasurer Lori Beard reported she and Clerk Mattingly have had several meetings with the Just FOIA team. They are working on collecting information and getting templates set up, and have more meetings this month. Her office issued 50 warrant of distraints, so the Sheriff’s Sale is April 9th at 10:30, and they will have until that day to pay. Her office also sent out delinquent reminders that were due on the 20th of February, and are now starting on the process of pending issues. They started with 34 pending issues and will see how many actually go to the title company. Taxes Collected for February was $329,000; the outstanding balance is $7.2M. She is seeing an increase of bad checks. Clerk Meredith Mattingly reported she has been working on Just FOIA with the Treasurer. She has started the early budgeting process and has been looking at employee wages and possibilities for increases for the next year. She has come up with a few options for the Commissioners to consider. She has also been looking at the various yearly reports that are coming due. Commissioner Hill reported the Fair Board met; they have expanded that board and they are all very active and have some good ideas for this year and they’re doing a great job. He attended 3 Solid Waste meetings. The first was a meeting at the new landfill with DEQ on the 18th. They had their Solid Waste meeting on the 19th. They have set Tuesday, May 12th for ribbon cutting at the Regional Landfill. Everything is complete except for a pump in the fire suppression system. They paid off 2 of the 3 temporary loans with long term loans and hope to have the 3rd paid off soon. He has been working on the contract with Core for our security entrance; he sent a copy of the contract to Blake Hall, who had some questions and would like some changes made to the contract. There was mold found in one wall in the annex building so it is being cleaned up by Belfore and new sheet rock will be put in today. He believes it may be from last spring when we had all of our water issues throughout the building. Next week he will be starting to get bids on the North Annex Suite A as well as the building at the Stud Mill to get some projects done. Commissioner Chandler reported he attended his first annual Courthouse Probation lunch meeting here at the courthouse and was able to meet all of the justice personnel and discuss their operations. He attended the RACE meeting; they do a great job keeping track of the youth that are struggling. He attended the 5C meeting, and it was voted to be closed. They have had several other meetings discussing the closure procedures and how to take care of the building. He’s been working on the invasive species issue with Bryce Fowler. They are going to work on some substrates to deploy throughout the river system. They won’t stop anything but will alert us when they are here. Commissioner Dance reported he has been working on getting plaques and letters to 4 of our Planning and Zoning Commission members that will no longer be on the commission to thank them for their service. He’s been working on numerous opportunities to work with the Flood50 group on details for the commemoration this June. He was here for a portion of the property tax webinar. He attended the Legislative updates; there are some concerning things as well as some good things that are happening on the legislative level. He also attended RC&D for a normal check signing meeting. Probation Director Darrin Burrell RE: MOAs with 3B and Bannock County – action items Mr. Burrell presented a Memorandum of Agreement with 3B, Bonneville, Bingham and Butte Counties. He does not have the MOU with Bannock County to present today, but in discussions, Bannock will be a backup for us if 3B doesn’t work out. Commissioner Hill noted the amount per day was raised from $250 per day, which was the agreed amount in discussions before the closure of 5C, to $450 per day in the contract. Mr. Hall stated we will need to let our insurance companies know about the changes. Commissioner Chandler stated we don’t really have another option at this point. Commissioner Hill wonders if we have to sign it today. If we are still waiting to hear from Bannock county, are we locked into this contract or are we required to hold to this contract. Mr. Hall stated there is nothing in the contract holding us to it. They have the ability to reject beds to us, and we are able to take kids somewhere else. Commissioner Hill feels we should wait for the other contract before we make a decision. Mr. Burrell feels we should maybe even look for a 3rd option, possibly in Salmon or elsewhere just in case we need the beds. Mr. Hall would like to know the agreements they have with Madison and other outside counties to make sure we aren’t being overcharged. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to sign the Memorandum of Agreement between 3B Juvenile Detention Center and Fremont County. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Burrell asked what he should do if he finds the rates are different between counties. Mr. Hall stated it would be a Commission decision, but they would want to meet with 3B and ask for an amendment to the contract to renegotiate the rates. Dena Jensen RE: Sharptail Lane Road Maintenance – action item Ms. Jensen asked for a resolution to the road maintenance issue on Sharptail Lane. They have met with the Commissioners about this issue twice before but have not been able to come to a conclusion that satisfies anyone. Cherry Butte Road is on their plat and is already being maintained by the County; they feel Sharptail Lane should be able to be maintained as well. They aren’t asking for the road to be paved, only that it be graded once a year. They are willing to cost-share the maintenance and pay half of the cost ($500) for the grading. The County cost shared the paving of Cherry Butte Road with someone who donated money to have the work done. Ms. Jensen doesn’t understand why the county would accept subdivision right of ways as dedicated county right of ways on plat maps if they didn’t intend to maintain them. During our last meeting, Road and Bridge stated the county does maintain 3 roads that are in subdivisions. She would like to know the criteria those roads met that Sharptail doesn’t. Blair Jones stated we have several subdivisions that are platted. The reason the right of ways are dedicated to the public, not the county, is so their neighbors can’t put a gate on a road and close it. They are public use roads, but are not maintained by the county. Ms. Jensen would like to know why the county can’t cost share the maintenance with them like we did with the gentleman who cost shared Cherry Butte Road. Mr. Jones stated the situation was different. He paid for the asphalt to repair the road, but is not maintaining it. Ms. Jensen feels it isn’t unreasonable to for them to offer to help the county, and for the county to accept $500 a year to grade the road. Civil Attorney Blake Hall stated the county has accepted a number of roads as public right of ways as public roads but they are to be privately maintained in subdivisions. Ms. Jensen asked why Homestead Road is maintained by the county, because it is part of their subdivision. How does the county pick and choose. Debbie Davis stated Cherry Butte Road existed and was maintained by the county decades before the plat was created. It was put on the plat as Homestead Road, but never should have been, and the plat was never modified, but she doesn’t know why. It’s a county road, and is not part of the subdivision. Ms. Jensen stated none of that makes any difference to her. The road shows on their plat, so it’s part of their subdivision. Rowdy Rigby restated the road existed long before the subdivision, so whoever surveyed the plat did so incorrectly. (Cherry Butte Road existed in 1966. The county has been maintaining it at least since then. The subdivision plat was dedicated and recorded in 2004.) There was continued discussion about the maintenance of Cherry Butte versus Sharptail Lane; how it was missed that Cherry Butte was put on the plat if it is a County Road, and who’s fault it was (it is no one’s fault in this instance). Commissioner Dance refocused the discussion and asked the other Commissioners their thoughts. Commissioner Hill understands there was a county road before there was a subdivision that has been maintained before there was a subdivision. The other issue is the maintenance of a road in a subdivision. If it was a county road we’ve maintained for years, it makes a difference. If it is a bus route that makes a difference, and if it has been around a long time, it was probably grandfathered in. He doesn’t feel he has enough information to make a decision today. Commissioner Dance feels this is our 3rd go on this issue. He does feel we have enough information to make a decision on this matter. Commissioner Chandler feels their solution of cost sharing would be an easy solution, however it could cause issues down the road. What we do for one, we will have to do for others. He wonders if there could be a replat of the subdivision. Ms. Davis said yes there could be a replat. We have a surveyor in the county that will make sure that dedicated county roads are appropriately labelled on his plat maps and other roads are dedicated to the subdivision so they are separate. Mr. Hall stated the biggest part of the issue is the difference between a county road and a subdivision road. We have a county road that has been maintained for years and years and years, regardless of whether or not it has been put on a plat map as part of a subdivision. The county’s policy is to not maintain subdivision roads, and the offer of cost sharing the maintenance of the road could potentially open the door for other people to request to maintain their roads. Ms. Jensen asked what part of Cherry Butte is part of their subdivision. They believe there are deeds and property exchanges between Lynn Hossner and the County giving the road to the subdivision. Ms. Davis said none of it. The whole road is a county road. The property lines can change from either side of the road, but the road is the road and belongs to the County, 60 feet out from the center line. Commissioner Dance made a motion to maintain the current policy and deny the request to maintain Sharptail Lane on a costshare basis. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Planning and Building Administrator Tom Cluff RE: Department Report; Findings of Facts for Areas of Impact – action item Mr. Cluff presented the Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law and Decision for the Areas of Impact hearing that was held on December 29, 2025. Commissioner Dance made a motion to adopt the Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law and decision, Regarding Application #25-086 – Amending the County’s Comprehensive Plan and Development Code to Re-Establish Areas of Impact. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Blackfoot Communications RE: Executive Session IC 74-206(1)(f) – action item Commissioner Dance made a motion to go into executive session pursuant to IC 74-206(1)(f) To communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. The mere presence of legal counsel at an executive session does not satisfy this requirement; at 11:12 a.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 11:37 a.m. Commissioners RE: Executive Session IC 74-206(1)(a)(b) – action item; Golf Advisory Board Member Appointment and Reappointment; Golf Course Fee Schedule Approval – action item; Golf Course Opening Date Selection – 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 1:02 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 2:22 p.m. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to reappoint Jay Curtis, Hali Mackert, Cathy Schmechel, and Dave Carter as Fremont County Golf Advisory Board members. Hali Mackert will serve for one more year. Phillip Piel and Jason Larson were appointed as the two new members of the Golf Advisory Board. Commissioner Dance seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Grant discussed setting a date for a public hearing to discuss the proposed fee increases for the Golf Course. Commissioners asked Clerk Mattingly to post a public hearing notice for March 30, 2026 at 10:30am in the Commissioners room for this hearing. Commissioner Chandler stated that in discussions with our Parks and Rec Director Mr. Grant as well as our Golf Course Director, the proposed opening day for the Fremont County Municipal Golf Course will be March 16th 2026. This will include paying Mr. Albiston half of his pay for the month of March for him as well as the outside help for a total of $2,575.00. Commissioner Chander made a motion to open the Fremont County Municipal Golf Course will be March 16th 2026, and pay Mr. Albiston half of his pay for the month of March in the total amount of $2,575.00. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Planning and Building Planner Dusty Rigby RE: Twin Rivers Ranch Div #1, 5th Amended Plat – action item; North Fork Highlands Div #1, 1st Amended Plat – action item Ms. Rigby presented application #26-015 for Twin Rivers Ranch Div #1, 5th Amended Plat along with Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law and Decision. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve application #26-015 for Armond Lapine - Twin Rivers Ranch Div #1, 5th Amended Plat along with Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law and Decision. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Ms. Rigby presented application #26-017 for North Fork Highlands Div #1, 1st Amended Plat along with Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law and Decision. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve application #26-017 for John and Joanne Gaynor – North Fork Highlands Div #1, 1st Amended 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. Treasurer Lori Beard RE: Tax Cancellations for MH09N42E289452 – action item Ms. Beard discussed cancelling the taxes for property parcel number MH09N42E289452. We had a discussion about this mobile home last year. The owner of the mobile home doesn’t match the name on the assessment, so she is asking to cancel the taxes in the amount of $54.33. This will have to be done every year until they clear it. Commissioner Dance made a motion to cancel the taxes on parcel number MH09N42E289452 in the amount of $ 54.33 for tax year 2025. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. John Hall 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 2:42 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 3:04 p.m. Miscellaneous Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve the claims for March 2, 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 minutes from February 23, 2025 as amended. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Clerk Mattingly discussed a requested donation to the Upper Valley Board of Guardians. She called the Clerk from Madison County to get a history about the Guardians but hasn’t heard back. We have donated to them before, but it has been several years. Our last contribution was in 2018, so they have reached out again for some help. Commissioner Dance would like to wait to make a decision so we can understand this amount they are asking for; if we are back-paying for several years, if there has been a change in the amount, or if this is the amount we can expect to pay moving forward. Commissioner Dance discussed making a donation to the Flood50 Foundation as well as the Teton Dam Commemoration this June. He reached out to Madison County about their contribution to these events; Madison County or the City of Rexburg has put $10,000 to help establish the Flood50 Foundation as well as the Commemoration activities. He believes this is a worthy cause and would also like to help contribute to it, proportionate to our involvement in it. He feels 25% of their proposal, or $2500, should be adequate. The flood did affect us, so there will be some activities in our county during the commemoration. This wouldn’t be an ongoing contribution, just a start-up. It could be taken from ARPA, PILT, or our Commissioners account that we use for charitable donations. Commissioner Dance made a motion to approve the donation of $2500 for the Flood50 Foundation to be taken from the ARPA funds. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Dance discussed a letter of support for a grant for a Fire Station Upgrade in the Last Chance area. There was no financial obligation on our part, but he did go ahead and sign the letter and have it sent to Altura. It was handled through their office, and the grant goes through Senator Mike Simpson’s Office. Commissioner Hill made a motion to ratify Commissioner Dance’s signature on the letter of support for the upgraded fire station in the Last Chance area. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioners discussed a letter of termination for 5C with the State of Idaho. The state wanted it to coincide with the closing of 5C. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to sign the letter of termination of 5C for the State. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioners discussed a Pay Application #14 for the Last Chance Waste Water Treatment Plant in the amount of $1,092,548.00. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve Pay App #14 for the Last Chance WWTP in the amount of $1,092,548.00, and authorize Chairman Dance to sign the reimbursement papers when we receive them. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Clerk Mattingly presented bids for new carpet for the Clerk’s Office. These would all be for carpet tiles. Carpet Direct – Low End - $9,505; High End – 13,097 +25% for weekend work. Advanced Flooring - $13,155.00 Gunderson’s Flooring and Vinyl - $13,489.54 Showcase Interior - $16,019.58 Clerk Mattingly would like the option to stay local with Advanced Flooring. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve the bid from Advanced Flooring in the amount of $13,155.00 for carpeting for the Clerk’s office from the Capital improvement fund. Commissioner Hill 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 3:04 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. 611962 Regular Commissioner Meeting 03-02-2026 on 3/9/2026
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