Fremont County | minutes | meeting 2026-07-06 | BOCC Jul 6 2026 Regular Meeting source: https://fremont.municipalcodeonline.com/book/content?type=minutes&name=BOCC_Jul_6_2026_Regular_Meeting BOCC Jul 6 2026 Regular Meeting FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING MINUTES July 6, 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, Parks and Recreation Director Greg Grant, EMS Director Bert Mecham, Juvenile Probation Supervisor Darin Burrell, Extension Office Supervisor Tom Jacobsen, and 4H Coordinator Dana Miller Commissioner Dance made a motion to amend the agenda for July 6, 2026 to eliminate the executive session at 1pm because the item was improperly placed on the agenda. The 1pm session will be rescheduled for a later date. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Dance called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. EMS Director Bert Mecham offered the prayer. Sheriff Bart Quayle led the pledge. Probation Supervisor Darin Burrell stated there isn’t a lot to report in the juvenile portion of their department. They have been doing a lot of community service work. The adult portion of their department has been fairly busy. Dayana will be going to the juvenile POST academy this week so she will be out of the office for a while. Extension Office Supervisor Tom Jacobsen reported they have been doing several classes at libraries around the county that have been well attended. On the 23rd they will be having Cereal Grain Field Day in Tetonia. On the 28th they will be having a Chainsaw Basics Workshop in Island Park. There are 15 spots available and it will be an all day workshop. On the 29th will be a Forestry and Fire field day, also in Island Park. 4H Coordinator Dana Miller reported they just got back from 4H camp. They had 63 kids from here and 8 adults go, it was fun. So far they have had 16 day camps for 120 kids since school let out. Erika is going to Boise for a Know Your Government (KYG) planning meeting. They have more day camps planned and are currently getting ready for the fair. EMS Director Bert Mecham reported they have been busy. It wasn’t terrible for EMS during the 4th. Their call volume has been down the last quarter. They did get their collection agency changed over; the transition still ongoing but the new company has been great to work with. They did get new vehicle added to their fleet so one will be surplused soon. Staffing is decent. They finished an EMT class 2 weekends ago and hope to bring some new people in. They’ve taught several CPR classes with over 110 students. Assessor Carol Blanchard stated she feels it was pretty awesome to be part of the America 250 celebrations in our community and is grateful for our first responders, EMS and Sheriff’s Office who helped this weekend. She also expressed gratitude for those in our community that are serving in the military. She reported that her office has finished assessments appeals. We had fewer than usual this year so it was nice to be able to work through everything at a more workable pace. She will be coming in later today to finalize those adjustments with the Commissioners and close out our BOE for this year. She had a zoom meeting with ITD about the legislative updates for DMV. There will no longer be stickers for license plates, registration is still required but checking registrations will be the responsibility of law enforcement. ID will now also be required to title anything new. They reviewed all the property tax reduction applications and got them finalized for the state and being able to move forward into the tax drive. Her appraisers are back out in the field to start reappraisals for 2027. She has one person in her office retiring soon, so she is hiring to fill that position. Treasurer Lori Beard reported June was busy. They collected about $5.3 million, about $1.1 million is still outstanding. We had a concerned taxpayer write a letter; they have written letters before, but this time he’s also submitted to State Legislators and the Governor. His confusion seems to be about property value and how much the percentage can adjust. Another concerned citizen has also sent us an email about the HR position and personnel policy, and has done a lot of research about the matter. We are still working on that, and are also looking at the ICRMP sample policy. She wondered if we are planning on throwing an employee appreciation party this year; it may be time to start looking into it if we are going to do one. Parks and Recreation Director Greg Grant reported the repair of most of the valves at the Golf Course has been completed and it looks like it will be about $3000 to $4000 cheaper than expected. They have been able to remove trees and take care of the cement in front of the club house the last couple of months. The riverways were busy over the weekend. There were about 160 vehicles in the 3 lots between Stone Bridge down to Ashton within an hour the afternoon of the 4th. We closed our grant at Frome Park so the picnic tables and fire pits are in place. We haven’t been able to hire a host up there so he, Terry, and Tom have been taking care of the vault toilets. He received an email from a concerned citizen about a boat that has been docking on our handicap accessible dock for weeks so we will be looking into it. Terry will be going to Tucker for snow training tomorrow. We are currently working with the Forest Service and State Parks. The County has put out a bike brochure in the past that is pretty outdated, so we are working with them to get it updated and have appropriate bike trails shown in the brochure. Sheriff Bart Quayle reported they were able to complete some mandatory training early last month for firearms calls and emergency vehicle operations. He attended a fire season meeting on the 10th. They attended Angel League baseball game with the special needs kids and it’s always really fun; they do it every year. We had a site visit from Motorola as they prepare to bring Next Gen 911 state-wide. It was a good visit and we may be bumped up the list because of prep that IT has done to get us ready. They are still struggling with the implementation of their new software; it is good software, it’s just hard to change to something new after 25 years of being used to something else. We hosted the Tri-county Sheriff’s Association on the 18th in Island Park. We had our summer youth camp and had successful graduation on the 25th,; he thanked our EMS and 2 city police departments, as well as fire departments for their participation. It was very well attended. They have several sponsors that also help and gained a few more this year. On July 1st we had some law changes, so we are adjusting to those changes in criminal law and how it affects our citizens and how it is enforced. Since our last meeting, we have 3703 incidents documented. These include 91 agency assists, 215 door checks and business checks, 1295 traffic stops, and 98 charges involving 75 arrests. We currently have 33 in custody this morning with 0 in Madison. We did have a busy weekend. There were several noise complaint calls for the fireworks and a lot of calls on the water. Clerk Meredith Mattingly reported we are in the thick of budget season. We had budget meetings this last month to discuss budget requests and those went well. Courts have been busy. They were short one person, but they have been able to hire someone to fill that position. She attended IACC meetings in June and those went well. We had the budget meetings with the departments last month. She was able to meet with Abbie Mace to ask questions and make sure things are on track. She’ll be reaching out to people in regards to revenues and what we can expect this coming year. She also needs to reach out to the State. We received a flag that was flown over the US Capital on January 2nd, 2026 for Fremont County in honor of the 250th celebrations. Darin raised it on the 3rd for us and had it flown for part of that day, and we will be giving it to the City to include in their time capsule for their America 250 celebrations. Commissioner Hill reported we’ve finally made some progress on our projects. The painting on the courthouse is done and it looks very nice. The concrete work at the annex and at the mill property is completed. The annex framing is almost done. The electrician has been working on some things. He has been in contact with Core and Hummell about the security entrance and they are waiting for some bids so he hopes those will be in soon. He attended the budget meetings. He attended a Fair Board meeting; they are getting ready for the fair and they have done very well. They are going to try some new things this year, including looking at local talent for the entertainment this year. Commissioner Chandler reported he missed last month’s golf board meeting because he was at IACC meetings. He attended the budget meetings; all of the departments came in well aware of our situation, and he appreciates their willingness to work with the Commissioners with what we have. He has been trying to get a 5C meeting put together. Working on geothermal information and it was going well until he got into critical habitats and no surface occupancy and what you have to go through for leases. He’s decided not to work on the project anymore. But, if a large land owner was going to develop in Fremont County, it would be worth looking into because our county is rated moderate to high for geothermal. There is a lot of activity happening in Clark County with the geothermal; he will keep an eye on it. He tried to work with Greg Grant on Frome Park, but because it’s a dry park, it was a hard sell. Commissioner Dance reported attending the Ashton to Chester highway meeting with ITD. It is a monthly meeting for updates, with the focus generally around Chester and the new interchange and frontage roads that will be required for that project. They are trying to locate funding for the dead ends on 300 north. Brandon Harris has submitted his proposal and cost estimates. He appreciates ITD’s willingness to have these meetings on a regular basis for us. He attended the Island Park and Area County Wildfire All Agency Coordinating Committee meeting with Keith Richey and it was a good meeting, it included mitigation and evacuation information, as well as a lot of information about the lack of moisture this year. They took care of the East Idaho Public Health fiscal year budget approval, and it was approved by all counties. Right of way acquisition in conjunction of 400 south by the Stud Mill; those papers were signed last month. Planning and Building Planner Sara Bowersox RE: Whitetail Acres Final Plat – action item Ms. Bowersox presented application #25-050 for Whitetail Ridge Subdivision Phase #1 along with Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law and Decision. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve application #25-050 for Whitetail Ridge Subdivision Phase #1 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. Commissioners RE: Board of Equalization – action item Fremont County Board of Equalization July 6, 2026 Commissioner Blair Dance called the meeting to order for the Board of Equalization appeal hearings. Those present were Commissioner Blair Dance, Commissioner Rick Hill, and Commissioner Mark Chandler. Also in attendance were Clerk Meredith Mattingly, Deputy Clerk Kim Fletcher, Assessor Carol Blanchard, and Civil Attorney Blake Hall Commissioner Dance gave instructions for today’s hearing. Assessor Carol Blanchard presented a list of homeowners her office was able to negotiate and adjust assessments for this year. These property owners appeared in the required assessment period and adjustments were able to be made to their properties within that time; they’ve agreed to these adjustments but having them presented to the Commissioners allows them time to change their minds and protest before the State Tax Commission if they choose to. These are the recommended adjustments from the Assessors Office. Parcel Number Value Decision RP0030500A0910 $40,000 $25,000 RP0030500A0920 $40,000 $25,000 RP0030500A0980 $40,000 $25,000 RP09N42E155254 $26,334 $50 LR004110010030 $236,140 $138,958 RP0056300529B0 $291,252 $269,116 RP15N43E263311 $27,800 $0 $936 $10,480 RPN0094024006B $538,659 $511,726 RPP0106021002A $5,000 $8,250 RP000390040100 $445,415 $264,428 RP07N41E192250 $14,020 $8,830 RPS01900063006 $590,247 $482,287 RP0003990010070 $1,191,270 $1,007,727 RP002900001970 $428,511 $299,957 MH00086000019X $2,097 $0 RP00123002T210 $22,345 $22,110 Commissioner Dance, sitting as a member of the Fremont County Board of Equalization, move to find the market value for assessment purposes of these property parcel numbers as provided by our Assessor Carol Blanchard to be the modified amounts for tax year 2026 and therefore affirm the assessments accordingly. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Dance adjourned the Board of Equalization Hearing. Planning and Building Planner Dusty Rigby RE: Teton View Sub 2, 2nd Amended Plat – action item Ms. Rigby presented application #26-014 for Teton View Sub 2, 2nd Amended Plat along with Findings of Facts, Conclusions of Law and Decision. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve application #26-014 for Teton View Sub 2, 2nd 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. Chief Deputy Sheriff Cody Gudmunson RE: Grant Approval Notice – action item; Unanticipated Revenue – action item Mr. Gudmunson discussed unanticipated revenue for the Sheriff’s Department. The first was a $500 donation from a UTV crash Sgt. Cannon assisted with. We also received a check from the Idaho Sheriff’s Association; he had put in for a grant to put up a pavilion at the fairgrounds for their OHV Course, it is in the amount of $3430.78. They would like to put those donations into their Capital Rec line. The Sheriff’s Office also just completed their youth camp and received a couple of donations totaling an amount of $150, and they would like to put that into their Youth Camp line. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve deposit of the donation of $150 into the Sheriff’s Youth Camp fund, and to deposit into their Capital Rec fund the donation of $500 as well as the check from the Idaho Sheriff’s Association in the amount of $3430.78. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Gudmunson discussed a grant he had applied for through Idaho Parks and Rec for a couple of jet skis for the Sheriff’s Department. We were awarded the grant, but by the time it was awarded, the prices of the jet ski’s went up. He had a discussion with the Commissioners and it was approved to receive a check before July 1st because there wasn’t going to be a meeting before then and there was going to be another price increase on July 1. He was able to get the check to pay for the machines in the amount of $36,529.79, and the Sheriff’s office had funds in their budget to cover the cost of a trailer in the amount of $3,195. Everything is paid for, he just needs signatures from the Chairman to send the paperwork back to Idaho Parks and Rec so they can send us a reimbursement check for the jet skis. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the Idaho Department Park and Rec Grant Agreement with the Fremont County Sheriff’s department for the period of 7-1-2026 to 6-30-2027. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Hill made a motion to retroactively approve the check for the Sea-Doo Jet Skis in the total amount of $36,529.79, as well approval for the payment of the jet ski trailer from Island Park Adventures in the amount of $3,195.00. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor Emergency Management Coordinator Keith Richey RE: FEMA Grant Acceptance – action item Mr. Richey presented the 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant from FEMA we received in the amount of $13,267.14 for approval. This is the grant we use for his operating expenses that we didn’t know if FEMA was going to send or allow it this year. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve and accept the 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant from FEMA in the amount of $13,267.14. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Mr. Richey stated we did pretty good over the weekend for fires. Only one call was made for fire but it was put out quickly and he didn’t hear what caused it. All other emergency services were swamped. There were a lot of fireworks; no matter how dry it gets, people will light them, but we were very lucky and didn’t have any fires. There were a few in Bonneville and one in Jefferson. He will be holding a fire evacuation meeting in Island Park at the EMS Building at 6pm, July 7th. Wildfire prevention day will be held July 24th at the Island Park Ranger Station. Commissioners RE: Deliberation for Caldera Appeal Hearing – action item This item was postponed until the July 13th meeting. Commissioners RE: Work Meeting w/ St. Anthony City Council @ St. Anthony City Council Chambers– action item Commissioners held a work meeting with the St. Anthony City Council at St. Anthony City Council Chambers. First, Ms. Schuldies wanted to clarify to the public that no one from the City or County is angry at each other. These meetings are just to create a dialogue and get an agreement on paper that hasn’t previously been written down for current and future Commissions and Councils. The question was asked about where things currently sit. Mr. Quayle stated when our last meeting was adjourned, the discussion was about the utilities, water and garbage specifically. He had hoped to make progress on those issues. Mayor Powell still feels the City should pay they County what they owe, and the County should pay the City what we owe. Mr. Willmore would like to know what those figures are before he can make any kind of decision. Ms. Schuldies and Commissioner Chandler both feel good about how things have been working between the City and the County. They feel like we can continue to work together about some things, they just need to be written down. We need to establish which fees each currently waives for the other. Mr. Nichols is ok with how most things have been, but he does have concerns with the sewer and water fees. Commissioner Hill feels we can’t really just pick and choose a few things to address. We’ll have to address everything, including dispatch. There was a deeper discussion about splitting the City dispatch from the County, and a disagreement about it not being a double tax on City Constituents. Commissioners agree they don’t want to change how things have been working, they only want the issue addressed because if we address some issues, all issues should be addressed. The general consensus between the Commission and Council is that things should be in writing so that moving forward, everyone knows what we are doing, even if nothing changes and everyone is happy with how things have been working. Commissioner Chandler would like to see an MOU created between the City and the County to keep things as they are, while allowing it to be addressed periodically if things aren’t working or something needs to be modified. Both the Commission and the Council agree the City and Council each have services that both benefit from and provide for each other, and would like to continue to provide for each other. They would like to include a clause in the MOU to review it every 2 or 3 years in order to prevent future Commissions and Councils from being held to their agreements. The City’s attorney, Dylan Anderson, was asked to draw up the agreement and send it to the County’s Civil Attorney Blake Hall for review. The Commission and Council will schedule meetings on each other’s agendas when it is ready for approval. Mr. Willmore thanked the Commission for the open dialogue and for being willing to work with the City. He appreciates their time and for the relationship they are able to have with the County. The work meeting was adjourned. Miscellaneous Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the claims for July 6, 2026 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 June 22, 2026 as presented. Commissioner Hill seconded the motion. Motion passed by majority vote with Commissioner Dance abstaining. Deputy Clerk Kim Fletcher presented the 2026-2027 Alcoholic Beverage License renewal letter for approval. These letters are sent with the application packets with annual information updates so applicants have time to renew their licenses with the State, County, and Cities before they expire September 30th. Those packets will be sent out this week. There is a small addition to the application this year; she is asking for email addresses for all applicants. There have been issues with mail delivery in the past couple of years and several of them not receiving either their application forms or their licenses when they are finished. She wants to make sure she has more than one way to get paperwork to everyone that needs it moving forward. Commissioner Hill made a motion to approve the 2026-2027 information letter for the Alcoholic Beverage License Renewal packets. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Clerk Mattingly presented our annual contract with Computer Arts for approval. This is our standard contract with them that we renew every year and has been reviewed by our Civil Attorney Blake Hall. Commissioner Dance made a motion to approve the annual CAI contract after review and modification. Commissioner Chandler seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. Clerk Mattingly presented a lease agreement from Summit National Bank for a 2027 Peterbilt for Road and Bridge in the amount of $47,634.04. Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve the lease agreement to Summit National Bank for a 2027 Peterbilt for our Road and Bridge department in the amount of $47,634.04. Commissioner Dance seconded the motion. A full voice vote was heard with all commissioners voting in favor. The pay app for Last Chance WWTP was postponed to another meeting. Clerk Mattingly presented the annual Notice of Intent to Renew with Zions Bancorporation, as well as the Annual Notice of Renewal with Zions Bancorporation for the financing of the jail expansion. Commissioner Dance made a motion to approve the annual Notice of Intent to Renew with Zions BanCorporation, as well as the annual Notice of Renewal with Zions BanCorporation for the financing of the jail expansion. 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. 613627 Regular Commissioner Meeting 07-06-2026 on 7/13/2026