Sentinel Media records · public agendas and minutes, text only, refreshed nightly from each body's own site · not a newspaper
minutes meeting date 2026-05-04 · fetched 2026-09-09 · 39207 characters · official file · plain text
BOCC May 4 2026 Regular Meeting FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES May 4, 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, Assessor Carol Blanchard, Sheriff Bart Quayle, and Coroner Brenda Dye Assessor Carol Blanchard offered the prayer. Deputy Clerk Kim Fletcher led the pledge. Commissioner Dance called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. Treasurer Lori Beard reported no tax cancellations for April. They collected $138,886 taxes in April, and the remaining tax balance to collect is $6.6M. They will be sending out reminder notices in May for the 2nd half of taxes. They are working on pending issues, and currently have 14 properties with pending issues. Assessor Carol Blanchard reported she attended the IAC Spring Meeting, and participated in a legislative review webinar with the State Tax Commission. They finished the Property Tax Reduction applications in April; she feels our numbers may be down this year. She had a meeting with Augmentum about our software issues; they are offering a solution that may be a good option for our county to replace Computer Arts. They finalized reappraisals last week and have started working on assessment edits. DMV is getting into their busy season with vehicle and toy registrations. Sheriff Bart Quayle reported we currently have 25 inmates in house, and 2 females in Madison. Since our last meeting, dispatch has logged 10,362 activities, which includes 52 911 calls, 635 traffic stops, 281 incident reports, 35 arrests, 296 citations, and 20 accident reports. Several deputies have attended training in April; EVOC Training, Instructor Training, 1 deputy just returned from Marine Law Enforcement Training, 1 is out training with the Fugitive Justice Task Force for the US Marshalls, 1 returned from OHV Training, 3 just left for POST Academy, and 1 Detention Staff leave for Continuing Jail Education in Boise. They attended the Upper Valley Radio System meeting; there are some issues with inoperability, specifically with the radio system on our end of the county and Ashton PD and they are trying to address those issues through the vendor and AT&T. They have had the implementation of several different new softwares in their office. They have had some issues with plumbing, the staff has been handling it. He attended the IAC Spring Institute meetings, and he is currently working on his budget to get the paperwork to Clerk Mattingly on time. Coroner Brenda Dye reported that as of now, we’ve had 5 deaths in the county this year, and have done 26 cremation authorizations. Last month she and her deputies attended a Child and Infant Fatalities class in Boise. She and one of her deputies are currently training to take the ABMDI test down in Las Vegas in July. This will nationally accredit them, and will allow them to nationally accredit our office. Clerk Meredith Mattingly reported she has started meeting with departments about the budget. She is also working on the Transparency Idaho report that is required yearly, along with the salary report. We had L&A testing on 29th of April in the Clerk’s Office; 2 commissioners attended as well as an employee from another department that stayed to watch and ask questions about our elections and how we take care of them. The testing went very well. She has been working on gathering notifications for hearings for the taxing districts. She attended the Spring IAC meetings, as well as the State Tax Legislative Review. She attended the public hearing last Wednesday evening. She also attended the District 6 court training on May 1st. Commissioner Hill reported he attended BOE training, as well as the Spring IAC Institute, which is always a good meeting and gives us a lot of information about Bills being passed and what the legislature is doing. On the 21st, he had a meeting with CORE about the security entrance; at an earlier meeting on April 1st, they gave us a building estimate that was way more than what we initially thought it would be. He told them that estimate wouldn’t work for us, so they have reworked the project and changed some items and have a new estimate for us, which we will be discussing later in this meeting. He attended the L&A testing on the 29th. He attended the Sandbox hearing last Wednesday. He has been working on bids for the North Annex Suite A and the Stud Mill Office. East Idaho Solid Waste will be having a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 12th at 11:00am. Commissioner Chandler reported he attended the Golf Board meeting; they have purchased gravel to spread on the car path. Phillip Piel took his own tractor and spread those loads of gravel for them; he is part of the board. He attended 2 RACE meetings. He appreciates Darrin Burrel and Kent Dummar for the extra work they have taken on in protecting and maintaining the 5C building and while no one else is in it. They have also been rotating the vehicles; neither of these things should have been made their responsibility but he thanks them for their efforts. He is getting meeting set up with ISDA State Director to discuss what the county can and can’t do about invasive species detection; our State Senator feels we can work something out. He Attended the Sandbox hearing on Wednesday, as well as the Spring IAC meetings. He’s been in touch with Austin Prestwich (Invasive Species Program Specialist) about the Mormon cricket issue; he is aware of the issue and they are prepared to help us handle them. If anyone has an infestation show up on their property, they can call Commissioner Chandler or our Weed Manager Bryce Fowler, and they can be baited within a day. He attended the L&A testing and certification and the Clerk’s do a great job and know what they are doing. The Upper Snake River Fly Fishermen volunteered their group to distribute the substrates through the river for the mussels. Commissioner Dance reported he attended the Spring IAC meetings as well as the Sandbox hearing. There was a meeting in Newdale about their election issue; the Commissioners inspected their building to make sure it was ready for the election on May 19th and approved it. He continues to be involved with the Flood50 Foundation work and the commemoration. They will be having a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 5th that is by invitation only. He attended a meeting with East Idaho Public Health; they had a special recognition for Wendy Welch for Parents as Teachers. She was 1 of 5 in the nation to win home visitor of the year. They also met as a board to approve their FY2027 budget and will be meeting with BOCC’s for their approval. Commissioners RE: Review and Approve Contract for Security Entrance – action item Commissioner Hill discussed the contract for the security entrance. After our initial talks with Hummel, and Core and Headwaters, we were expecting an estimate of about $400,000 for the construction of the project. He and Bart Quayle met with Core on the 1st of April; they had a proposal of about $556,000 and we told them that was unacceptable. They asked if they could revise it and come back to us. After eliminating some things and making some modifications to the design, they had another meeting and the new estimate is about $444,121. This is still higher than we hoped, but it’s workable. The majority of the funds could still come from ARPA, and we could take the remainder from PILT if needed. Since we started talking about adding the new entrance, the legislature has introduced House Bill 621, which passed the house. It would allow patrons to carry weapons anywhere in the courthouse but the courtroom. If it passes, it would eliminate the need for this entrance. He asked our legislators if it would come back and they feel it may with some modifications, and it’s likely to pass. Senator Burtenshaw feels there would still be a benefit to knowing whether or not someone in the building is carrying a weapon. Sheriff Quayle stated it has made us consider all legal avenues. In the year 2000, the County Commissioners passed an Ordinance to not allow weapons in this courthouse. Judicial branch have also made decisions to ban weapons in the courthouse. Now the legislators are trying to make decisions to not allow these entities to have authority over their own buildings. Who has authority over buildings in Fremont County; the County Commissioners and the Judicial Branch, or the State Legislature? We also have to consider, we currently have the funding to build it, and we have to use it within a certain amount of time or that time may pass us by, so a decision will need to be made relatively quickly. One of the concerns that was brought up early on, that he continues to have, is the funding ability to staff the entrance. If we move forward and build the entrance, he will need the extra staffing. Civil Attorney Blake Hall stated if the law passes it will create an interesting showdown between the Judiciary branch and the Legislative branch. Judiciary is adamant they alone control courtrooms and courthouses and what goes on in the courthouse and any building that houses the courtroom. The County did adopt an ordinance in 2000 not allowing weapons in county buildings and it has never been challenged. The County has the funds through ARPA to do the entrance, so if we do decide to do it, it would be best to do it now, otherwise we may never have the ability to build it later. Commissioner Chandler feels if the Bill comes back to the floor, it will most likely pass. He wonders, comparatively, how we would staff the security on just the 3rd floor versus the entryway as we are now. Sheriff Quayle stated that due to the nature of the building and the grand staircase, securing just the 3rd floor is fairly impractical. We have 2 courtrooms we would be responsible for securing if the law passes as written. It could be done; it would just be a matter of what the final draft of the law looks like. The current draft of the law left room for interpretation. We had these discussions early on when we were discussing securing our building. Securing just the 3rd floor alone would require a significant amount of funding, as well as some engineering to make it achievable, but it would take away from the aesthetics of the building which should be taken into consideration. He believes he would also need at least 2 additional employees to help with the security. We would also need to consider that if we don’t remain competitive with benefits and salary, he could lose staff, and he will have to prioritize assignments, which could affect security if he needs them elsewhere. Commissioner Hill stated our courthouse is a unique building. Madison only has their courtroom that they use in the courthouse anymore. Our courthouse has our courtrooms as well as 3 elected officials working in it. He would like their opinions about the security because this decision effects their offices. Assessor Carol Blanchard stated she is happy with things that have been implemented. We deal with a lot of disgruntled people. It has been a comfort to know there is only one entrance for people to come in and that they are checked. It is valuable to the staff to be able to come to work and not have added worry. She understands the expense. She knows there have been complaints about us only having one entrance, but once it is explained why we have it, most people are very understanding. She would rather be proactive than reactive and have everything in place than have things pass by and not be able to do anything about it later. Treasurer Lori Beard appreciates having the security, and she feels the employees appreciate it. Regardless of what happens, it would be nice to be aware of what is happening in our building. Keeping it would be the best option for us. Commissioner Dance feels we’ve seen security issues increase over the years all over the country, especially recently, thus increasing the need for security. Looking down the road, in spite of what the legislative/judicial battle is, we need to plan for the future, and should move forward with building the security entrance. Clerk Meredith Mattingly feels similar to Ms. Blanchard and Ms. Beard. The feedback she has received from employees is that they appreciate the security. She recognizes the importance that if we move forward, we would have to increase the staffing for the Sheriff’s. Sheriff Quayle appreciates the civil discourse, as well as the NRA’s stance on the Bill. He is a proponent for the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. But, the other side of this argument is how this is similar to allowing guns into a school, but not into a classroom. The public already realizes certain places are vulnerable; anyone can be a victim. Bailiff Chuck Kunsaitis is also proactive rather than reactive. He feels the employees feel more secure and safe in the building because of the security at the entrance rather than without. The feedback from the community has been mostly positive. The number of people that have come through that have voiced being against it has been minimal, and when it is explained why we have it, they come around and understand why we’re doing it. More people than not are happy we are doing it. He feels if we choose not to move forward with the security entrance, there are still some security items throughout the building that need to be addressed and implemented. If we can control what is coming in, it is easier to control things on the back end. Mr. Quayle can’t predict what the budget will look like in the next few months; his biggest worry is being able to afford staffing if we choose to build it. Commissioner Hill worries if we don’t build it now, we won’t be able to later. We can’t predict what the legislature is going to do, but he agrees with Senator Burtenshaw. He supports moving forward with the project even though the cost is higher than we were hoping for, but he feels we can make it work with some help from both the ARPA and PILT funds. Commissioner Chandler is in if it can be properly staffed. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the go-ahead with the security entrance with CORE and the architect with the ARPA funds. Commissioner Dance seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Clayton Munk RE: Wakeboarding Restrictions on IP Reservoir – action item Mr. Munk discussed some of the issues with wake boats getting too close to shore and the damages they can do to docks, other boats, and fish. He shared a video about studies of the actual effects of wake boat waves versus traditional ski boats, and how the 200-foot distance isn’t far enough. He talked about how he lost the tip of his finger in a boating accident because of a wave from a wake boat that pinched his finger from 300 feet away. They had done nothing wrong, it happened. He has a petition with 104 signatures, as well as some comments from those that signed, that explain damage that has been done to people and property because of the wake boats being too close. He is aware of previous discussions that have been before the Commissioners, and he has had discussions with Sheriff Quayle and Greg Grant about the recreation on the lake. Restrictions are different in every state; Vermont has a 500’ limit from the shoreline, Maine is 300’, most states are 200’, for some reason Idaho is only 100’. He suggested posting new signs at major boat launches, as well as displaying maps for where boats would be able to use the lake in a way that will help everyone be safe. Commissioners and Parks and Recreation have the authority to set restrictions for wake surfing on the IP Reservoir and can supersede the 100’ state limit. He referenced Bonneville County’s ordinance that was passed last year. Commissioner Dance stated he has been working for 2 years to establish no wake zones on the lake. He understands the wake boats are an issue and how much damage they do, but it does take time to put things in place. We have heard these presentations before and understand something needs to be done. We are trying, as a first step, to establish the no wake zones. Mr. Munk wonders what is keeping the Commissioners from establishing a 500’ limit from the shoreline? Commissioner Dance stated there were complaints and pushback from the wake boaters, that they’ve made investments and have rights to use the lake as well. Commissioner Hill stated Roger Tall was pursuing this issue and gave up because of the pushback from the boaters. Mr. Munk doesn’t feel like its fair for the boaters rights to infringe on his or his neighbors. The Commissioners are obligated to help. Commissioner Dance stated his point was to let him know we’ve heard these presentations before, and we’ve been working on the issue. Commissioner Hill stated a big part of the issue with passing an ordinance is enforcing it. Mr. Munk stated he will enforce it. He has already been enforcing it, and most boaters, when they are asked, are ok to move farther away from the shoreline. Parks and Rec Director Greg Grant stated the steps are incremental. The buoys are ordered. He’s heard from both sides many times and agrees it is an issue that needs to be addressed and is continuing to be addressed. Civil Attorney Blake Hall asked to review the Bonneville County ordinance. He believes Fremont County did something similar with their ordinance by establishing a speed and distance limit around their docks and wants to make sure their Bonneville’s ordinance is being represented appropriately. Mr. Munk feels the state needs to update their regulations. He wants to be proactive and help. Everyone should be able to enjoy the lake. He isn’t proposing a ban on the boats, he just wants them to be designated to a certain portion of the lake. He thanked the Commissioners for their time. Commissioners RE: Mormon Cricket Invasion – action item Commissioner Chandler stated the state is aware of the issue with the crickets. Their standard is 3 crickets per yard is considered an infestation, so if anyone has an issue, the state will provide the treatment. If anyone has concerns about their properties, they can contact him. They can also contact our Weed Department. We don’t know how or if the federal government is going to handle the crickets on their BLM lands. Commissioner Dance believes their main focus is in invasive weed management and not administering pesticides. Bryce Fowler stated concerned land owners can also contact Jason Ansay at (208)332-8856 for bait. He is the state representative handling the cricket issue. He stated the county can’t administer pesticides on federal lands because their rules and regulations are different than state rules; we would have to purchase different pesticides to use on their lands. Ralph Davis RE: Wilford Cemetery Road – action item Mr. Davis is the President of the Board for the Chester/Wilford Cemetery District. He just learned the road leading into the cemetery is not a public roadway, but belongs to the cemetery and is supposed to be maintained by them. He is wondering how to get funds to maintain the road. They have some money to help, but not the ability to fund repairs for the whole project. He also isn’t sure how the road isn’t a county road. Mr. Hall stated the cemetery districts are independent taxing districts, similar to school districts. So it is a private road for the cemetery. The way they maintain their roads is through the appropriation process in regards to taxing; they would tax their district for the maintenance of the road. There were some last year that didn’t comply with state statutes last year in regards to the transparency laws, so they weren’t able to collect extra funds; he isn’t sure if Wilford Cemetery was one of them. Also, much like the County doesn’t accept roads within subdivisions as county roads, we don’t accept roads in a cemetery either, it belongs to the cemetery. Mr. Davis stated have some funds to pay for supplies for the repairs, but don’t have enough to pay for a construction company to do the work. Commissioner Chandler asked how much it would cost to do the work. Rowdy Rigby stated he gave them some estimates about a year ago, and it was about $15,000 to $16,000. The worst of the damage is at the entrance of the road; Mr. Davis worries about Memorial Day weekend. Mr. Rigby asked if it would be enough to patch it. We do have some patching material left on our patcher. Mr. Davis stated that may be enough. Commissioners are ok allowing Mr. Rigby to do this if he has the time. They asked him to let them know about how much material would be needed and how much it will cost. We will see how much we can contribute and if the cemetery will be able to contribute some to the cost as well. Parks and Rec Director Greg Grant RE: Contract Mod for Johnny Sacks Cabin – action item; Contract Mod for Vault Toilet Cleaning – action item; Grant Closeout for Frome Park Campground – action item; Golf Course Green Fees for Benefit Tournaments – action item Mr. Grant presented a grant modification for Johnny Sacks Cabin in Island Park. This agreement closes out the account. We’ve been holding these funds in a trust; the Forest Service will be taking over the trust as well as the responsibilities of maintaining the cabin. Commissioner Dance made a motion to approve the Mod Grant Agreement with the Forest Service to close the account and transfer the funds to the Forest Service in the amount of $12,716.42, in reference to the Johnny Sack Cabin. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Grant presented a contract modification for cleaning the vault toilets in Frome Park Campground and Stone Bridge Access Point. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve the Mod Grant Agreement for maintaining the vault toilets at Frome Park and Stone Bridge in the amount of $2,875.00. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Grant discussed the closeout of the prior grant for the Frome Park campground that was amended last Fall for picnic tables and fire rings. The original grant amount was for $25,800. We will be reimbursed $19,750.90, and our match was $4,937.73, for a total of just under $25,000. Commissioner Hill made a motion to close out the grant with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation in the total amount of $25,800, which includes the county match of $4,937.73. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Grant discussed golf course green fees for benefit tournaments. In the past we’ve donated the league fees, but it has been asked if this was done appropriately. He has looked at other courses to see what they do. He proposes a percentage of the green fees be donated. Other courses are donating anywhere from 25%-50%. He recommends the 50%, so half the cost would be donated to maintenance of the course, and the other half would go towards the league or benefit holding the event. Commissioners agree, and agree it should be consistent for all leagues and/or benefits. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve the 50% greens fee for leagues and benefit tournaments. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Probation Director Darrin Burrell RE: IDJC Annual Report Mr. Burrell introduced Justin Bingham, our District 7 liaison, and Alisha Baptiste, our Supervisor for the District from Boise. Mr. Bingham reviewed the annual IDJC report. Commissioners RE: BOE Tax Exemptions – action item Commissioner Dance opened the Board of Equalization to review the application of the Caldera Water Company for the 63-602C exemption on 9 parcels which was presented at our last meeting. A decision was not made during that hearing. Assessor Carol Blanchard stated the exemption Caldera Water Company applied for, 63-602C, is for fraternal, benevolent or charitable limited liability companies. She had forwarded all of their information on to Mr. Hall, who has since had time to review them and send his research and recommendation to her and the Commissioners. Mr. Hall explained there is an 8 step requirement an organization has to meet to qualify as a charitable organization. This entity is a not-for-profit entity, but that doesn’t necessarily qualify them as a charitable organization. Under Idaho Code 63-105C, the statute requires that in order to be a charitable organization, they have to state their purpose, state whether or not their functions are charitable, state whether or not they are supported by donations, state whether or not the recipients of their services are required to pay for the assistance they receive, state whether there is a general public benefit, state whether the income they receive generates a profit, determine to whom the assets go to upon disillusionment of the corporation, and determine whether or not the service they provide is based on need. The Idaho Supreme Court has determined all 8 of these requirements must be met in order to qualify as a charitable organization; if they don’t meet even one, they don’t qualify for exempt status. His research indicates there have been several HOA’s that have tried to get tax exempt status because, as an HOA, they are a not-for-profit entity; the Supreme Court has determined they don’t qualify because they don’t provide any charity, and they charge fees for services. In this case, the users of the wells have to pay a fee for their use, which alone disqualifies Caldera Water Company from exempt status. They also haven’t been able to show that they provide any charity to anyone based on need. It is his view that they don’t qualify for tax exempt status. They can apply for some tax exemption status under 63-602P, but exemption under 63-602C is not appropriate. Commissioner Dance asked if there is evidence the water company charges a fee for the well use. Ms. Blanchard stated she doesn’t have any additional information beyond what has been provided by the water company. Mr. Hall stated the burden of proof lies with the applicant, and they have not come forward with any information to show they are a charitable organization. Commissioner Hill and Commissioner Chandler agree they haven’t met the requirements for exemption. Commissioner Hill made a motion to deny the tax exemption for the Caldera Water Company based on them not meeting the requirements for the 63-602C exemption. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Emergency Management Coordinator Keith Richey RE: FEMA Grants – action item Mr. Richey discussed our FEMA grants. Although they’ve been funded, they are still up in the air. When he started in 2005, the grants he uses to purchase equipment and do training started at $299,000. Today that grant is down to $31,000. The other grant he puts towards his operating expenses. In 2005 it was $7,000, but this year it is up to $14,000. He has been told by the State that those funds can’t be used to supplant his budget; there are many Emergency Management Coordinators that are stressed to the point they are using it as part of their salaries, but if they lose that money, full-time coordinators would have to go part-time. He is trying not to do that, so he puts that $14,000 towards operating expenses, and has made it so it isn’t going to have much of an impact. The reason grants are up in the air right now; the administration has pulled FEMA funding out of sanctuary states and want to redistribute those funds to states that are complying with them. The states have also tightened the restrictions for what we can use the funds for. After doing his forensic fire training in California, he would like to purchase an EyeGuide camera to help with fire investigation. It would cost $2500 that he would like to pull from his current Capital Budget. Once we buy the camera, there is no ongoing cost to use it. Other departments would be able to use it for investigations as well. Commissioner Dance made a motion to approve this budget expenditure for Keith from his Capital Account for the camera in the amount of $2500. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Richey stated he is going to organize a meeting in the next month or so with the Fire Departments, EMS, Sheriffs, Commissioners, and Department Heads, to discuss this year’s fire season and try to make a plan in case things go a certain way. He is worried about how dry everything is. Dee Eldridge RE: Neighbor Violating County Ordinances – action item Mr. Eldridge discussed a neighbor (Raymond Hernandez) that is violating several county ordinances on his property. He felt it necessary to bring these violations to the Commissioners attention. He lives on Pole Line road. There are about 17 homes on the road, and this has been an issue for many years. This neighbor has opened up a salvage yard on his property, and has now opened up a mechanics building. The law says he can have 2 hobby vehicles. His property is small, he has bright lights, he’s been dumping auto fluids on his neighbor’s property. His intent is to fill his whole property with wrecked vehicles with the exception of a small portion for his son’s home. Mr. Eldridge filed his first complaint about this neighbor in 2010, and the issue just continues to get worse. He understands P&Z can’t enforce anything legally, but the Commission can. His concern is that his well is close to this property and he worries about contamination to the well. He’s asked Mr. Hernandez to clean it up, and his answer was that he can do whatever he wants. This man is violating 7 county ordinances in a residential area. He’s been told it’s a civil matter and no one will get involved or do anything about it. What is the point of establishing ordinances if they aren’t going to be enforced? He provided a signed affidavit from the neighbor who caught him dumping battery acid near her well. She can’t sell the property because no one will move in next to a salvage dump. He stated the responsibility for enforcing county ordinances lies with the county government. He understands a few vehicles, but this is illegal, and he won’t live next to 400 vehicles in a residential area. In 2010, a letter was sent to Mr. Hernandez from P&Z that told him he had 30 days to clean it up, but nothing else was done. He would like the Commissioners to at least discuss the issue and consider a remedy, because what is happening is wrong. He has consulted a lawyer, who also wonders why the county isn’t enforcing our ordinances. He thanked the Commissioners for their time. Commissioner Chandler told him the Commissioners will discuss the issue and get back to him. Paul Plachinda RE: Trees Encroaching in Public Roadway – action item Mr. Planchinda received a letter in the mail from our Road and Bridge department concerning trees he has planted in the county right of way. The county has removed them, but they are away from the road, mailboxes and powerlines. He requested a variance because of the specific location of the trees. Rowdy Rigby stated ITD owns the right of way where the trees have been planted. Another issue is that the trees may not be a hazard now when they are small, but they could be later. Our policy is not to allow the planting of trees in the right of way. Commissioners told him he can plant all of the trees he wants on his property, but not outside of it. Unfortunately, it is policy not to allow the trees to be planted in the right of way. They understand what he is trying to do, and why he is trying to do it, but we can’t allow it. Commissioner Dance made a motion to deny the request for the variance. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Island Park Charter School RE: Purchasing Land – action item Ms. Day stated the school would like to purchase a piece of property that currently belongs to the Forest Service. They were directed to come to the county for help with this purchase. They need to relocate the school. They are on a half-acre that was donated to the school in 2018. Since then several developers have come in and built several short-term rentals. More than 10 are less than 500 feet from the school building. Idaho law doesn’t allow sex offenders within 500 feet from schools, but this doesn’t apply to short- term rentals, and even if a person is sitting on the porch taking pictures of the kids, the sheriffs can’t do anything about it. Snowmobiles are also an issue, as well as snow removal. State legislature also recently passed laws not allowing counties to regulate short-term rentals, so the number of people in the area per house could potentially increase, which is a concern. The number of students they have has also increased so they are growing out of their current building. The only solution they can see is to move the school. They have 3 options; they can purchase private property, but they haven’t found a piece large enough or far enough away for them. They could lease, but it would require raising a lot of money and building a building. The third option is to purchase property from the forest service. They have been in contact with the forest service about purchasing property from them. It has been done before, but they have been told that because the property belongs to a government entity, they make the proposal to purchase the land themselves. The county would need to represent them so the forest service feels they have our backing. They are happy to put in the work writing the proposal and providing the needed documentation, they just need help from the County to present it to the Forest Service. They have 2 properties they are looking at. The first is centrally located off of Old Chick Creek Road. There are police living in the area, as well as forest service workers, and is surrounded by federally owned land, so the likelihood of more short-term rentals moving in is really low and would help keep the kids much safer. The other property is off Old Highway 191. It is still close to short-term rentals, but there is still enough of a cushion, they could make it work. Commissioner Chandler supports making the proposal for them. Commissioner Hill supports this as well. Mr. Hall worries if the property would belong to the county or the school. It was explained the property would belong to the school, the county just needs to make the proposal for them because they are public lands. Commissioner Dance also supports moving the school and helping them with the proposal. They are still working on the proposal and are in discussions with he forest service about what they would require, then they can find out next steps for us. Mr. Hall encouraged them to talk with our state legislators and get letters of support from them as well. Letters of support from them will get good attention and help influence a positive outcome. Miscellaneous Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve the claims for May 4, 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 April 20, 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 Fall 2026 academic year for Adalie Mace. 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 transfer of the 2025-2026 Retail Alcoholic Beverage License #2 from Maverik Inc to Maverik Group LLC dba Maverik #534. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill presented bids for the North Annex and the Stud Mill Office. Commissioner Hill has been working on getting bids for these projects for 6 weeks. He’s approached 7 contractors and only received 1 bid for our main contract bid; everyone else was too busy, which is great for them, but we are under time constraints due to the ARPA funds. He is comfortable with the bids he has received and feels we should move forward. Commissioner Dance and Commissioner Chandler agree; he has done his due diligence and put a lot of time and effort into collecting the bids that he has. We can move forward. North Annex Suite A Project: Demolition, Labor, and Cabinets - Doug James Construction – $51,745.00 ACCEPTED Drywall and Drop Ceiling – Advanced Drywall - $33,100.00 ACCEPTED Paint – Special Effects Painting - $10,140.00 ACCEPTED Ductwork – Housley Pumps Inc - $6,835.00 ACCEPTED Electric – Nelson Electric - $22,360.32 Velocity Mark - $15,136.80 ACCEPTED Flooring – Advanced Flooring - $18,961.00 Carpet Direct - $9,684.78 ACCEPTED GRAND TOTAL: $102,121.58 Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the bids for the North Annex Suite A as presented for a total amount of $102,121.58 to be paid from the ARPA monies. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Stud Mill Office Project: Demo/Landfill Fee, Materials, Labor, and Cabinets – Doug James Construction - $78,861.00 ACCEPTED Sheetrock – Doug James Construction - $18,739.00 Advanced Drywall - $15,600.00 ACCEPTED Painting – Doug James Construction - $13,914.00 Special Effects Painting - $9,906.00 ACCEPTED Plumbing – Dan’s Plumbing & Heating - $7,703.26 ACCEPTED Housley Pumps Inc - $13,297.09 Minisplits for AC – Housley Pumps Inc - $25,242.00 ACCEPTED Bigfoot Heating - $27,005.06 Electric – Velocity Mark - $27,998.00 ACCEPTED Nelson Electric - $31,637.10 Flooring – Advanced Flooring – $19,993.00 Carpet Direct - $9,549.67 ACCEPTED Grand Total: $174,485.93 Commissioner Chandler made a motion approve the bids for the Stud Mill Office as presented for a total of amount of $174,485.93 as presented to be paid from the ARPA monies. 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 3:28 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. 612813 Regular Commissioner Meeting 05-04-2026 on 5/11/2026
Text is extracted by machine from the official file linked on each page; the official file is the record. Sentinel Media, LLC.