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Jefferson County

County Commissioner Regular Meeting Agenda (PDF)

minutes meeting date 2026-07-13 · fetched 2026-09-13 · 12417 characters · read by OCR, check numbers against the source · official file · plain text

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Commissioner Meeting Minutes 
 
JULY 13, 2026 
JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING MINUTES 
JULY 13, 2026 
 
Meeting called to order at 9:00. Those present are Commissioner Clark, Commissioner Young, Chairman Hancock, Prosecutor Paul 
Butikofer, Emergency Management Rebecca Squires, Clerk Melanie Smoot; Kimberly Murphy is clerk of the board. Pledge of 
Allegiance led by Commissioner Young. Prayer offered by Chairman Hancock.  
 
 
Recording available at https://jcgov.us/AgendaCenter 
 
9:00:24 AM 
 
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION – JEFFREY BONE 
• 
PARCEL #RP04N39E283376 – (ACTION ITEM) 
9:03:23 AM 
Motion by Commissioner Clark to go into the Board of Equalization. Second by Commissioner Young. Roll call 
taken. Commissioner Clark – aye, Commissioner Young – aye, Chairman Hancock – aye. Motion passed. 
9:03:49 AM 
The Board of Commissioners convened as the Board of Equalization. Chairman Hancock explained the appeal 
process, and the Clerk, Melanie Smoot, administered the oath to all parties providing testimony: Jessica Roach, Amanda Maloney, and 
Jeffrey Bone. Property owner Jeffrey Bone testified to appeal the 2026 assessed value, stating that the property's condition and recent 
purchase price did not support the current assessment. Mr. Bone described numerous deferred maintenance issues affecting the 
residence and questioned the assessed land value in comparison to neighboring agricultural property. Assessor Jessica Roach explained 
that the property had been inspected following the appeal and that significant adjustments had already been made to reflect the home's 
condition. She noted the residence had been reduced in value based on documented deficiencies while the land was assessed in 
accordance with state appraisal standards and its current classification. Following testimony, the Board deliberated and determined that an 
additional reduction of $19,230 to the dwelling value was appropriate based on the condition of the home. 
9:45:30 AM 
Motion by Commissioner Young to reassess the property parcel #RP04N39E283376 from its current appraised 
value for the house $357,759 to $338,520 for a total appraisal of $537,365. Second by Commissioner Clark. Roll call taken. 
Commissioner Clark – aye, Commissioner Young – aye, Chairman Hancock – aye. Motion passed. 
9:49:17 AM 
The Board of Equalization adjourned.  
 
 
BUDGET WORKSHOPS 
• 
PROSECUTOR – PAUL BUTIKOFER 
9:49:45 AM 
Paul Butikofer – presented the budget request for the Prosecutor’s Office.  
 
• 
SHERIFF’S OFFICE/JAIL – SHERIFF STEVE ANDERSON 
• 
WATERWAY/HIGHWAY SAFETY GRANT/EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS – SHERIFF STEVE ANDERSON 
10:09:55 AM 
Sheriff Steve Anderson – presented the budget requests for the Sheriff’s Office, Jail, Waterways, and Emergency 
Communications.  
 
SHERIFF – STEVE ANDERSON 
• 
APPROVE AMENDED IDOC CONTRACT – (ACTION ITEM) 
10:37:48 AM 
Sheriff Steve Anderson – presented the amended IDOC contract for approval. The daily rate paid to house state 
inmates is increasing from $75 to $80 per day.  
10:38:14 AM 
Motion by Commissioner Clark to approve the amended IDOC contract with the rate of $80/day. Second by 
Commissioner Young. Roll call taken. Commissioner Clark – aye, Commissioner Young – aye, Chairman Hancock – aye. Motion 
passed. 
 
COMMISSIONERS 
• 
APPROVE CERTIFICATES OF RESIDENCY – (ACTION ITEM) 
None. 
 
• 
APPROVE COMMISSIONER MEETING MINUTES – (ACTION ITEM)  
10:51:34 AM 
Motion by Commissioner Clark to approve the commissioner meeting minutes from June 22, 2026. Second by 
Commissioner Young. Roll call taken. Commissioner Clark – aye, Commissioner Young – aye, Chairman Hancock – aye. Motion 
passed. 
 
• 
APPROVE CLAIMS – (ACTION ITEM)

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Commissioner Meeting Minutes 
 
JULY 13, 2026 
10:52:09 AM 
Motion by Commissioner Clark to approve the claims for July 4, 2026 through July 10, 2026 for $285,473.35. 
Second by Commissioner Young. Roll call taken. Commissioner Clark – aye, Commissioner Young – aye, Chairman Hancock – 
aye. Motion passed. 
 
• 
APPROVE CATERING PERMITS – (ACTION ITEM) 
10:53:05 AM 
Motion by Commissioner Young to approve the alcohol catering permit for Bee’s Knees at 71 N 5050 E, Ririe, 
Idaho. Second by Commissioner Clark. Roll call taken. Commissioner Clark – aye, Commissioner Young – aye, Chairman 
Hancock – aye. Motion passed. 
 
• 
APPROVE ROBERTS FIRE/QRU MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR ARPA PURCHASE OF AED – (ACTION ITEM) 
10:54:01 AM 
The Board previously approved allocating $5,000 from ARPA funds to Roberts Fire, this MOU puts the agreement in 
writing.  
12:25:00 PM 
Motion by Commissioner Clark to approve the MOU between Jefferson County and Roberts Fire District for 
$5,000 from ARPA to purchase an AED. Second by Commissioner Young. Roll call taken. Commissioner Clark – aye, 
Commissioner Young – aye, Chairman Hancock – aye. Motion passed. 
 
ELECTIONS – CATHY DABELL  
• 
APPROVE RESOLUTION #2026-40 – DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS – (ACTION ITEM) 
10:40:50 AM 
Cathy Dabell – presented the resolution for destruction of records, it has been reviewed by legal counsel.  
10:41:04 AM 
Commissioner Young read the resolution on the record.  
10:44:07 AM 
Motion by Commissioner Young to approve resolution #2026-40. Second by Commissioner Clark. Roll call 
taken. Commissioner Clark – aye, Commissioner Young – aye, Chairman Hancock – aye. Motion passed. 
 
BUILDING & MAINTENANCE – JAMES RICHARDSON 
• 
DISCUSS REPLACEMENT OF THE DISHWASHER IN THE JAIL – (ACTION ITEM) 
10:45:21 AM 
James Richardson reported that Ecolab had agreed to terminate the County's existing dishwasher agreement. He 
presented a quote for a replacement unit, including installation and chemical dispensing equipment, from Pristine for $12,544.97. James 
mentioned that an additional vendor had not yet submitted a proposal.  
 
3:07:16 PM 
James Richardson – returned with the second quote, it’s for the same machine but through BSR, for $12,968.35, with 
an installation fee of $2450. The quote for the machine is cheaper with Pristine.  
3:08:25 PM 
Motion by Commissioner Young to approve the purchase of a dishwasher for jail from Pristine for $12,544.97. 
Second by Commissioner Clark. Roll call taken. Commissioner Clark – aye, Commissioner Young – aye, Chairman Hancock – 
aye. Motion passed. 
 
PLANNING & ZONING – MILTON OLLERTON 
• 
UPDATES: 
o 
REVIEW SALARY BUDGET  
10:55:45 AM 
Milton Ollerton – decided to not discuss the salary budget today.  
 
o 
DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE CODE AMENDMENTS 
10:56:26 AM 
Milton Ollerton – discussed statewide conversations regarding renewable energy and emerging technologies, 
including wind power, solar development, and small modular nuclear facilities. He noted that Jefferson County has not 
specifically addressed wind power within county code and currently limits solar developments to certain zoning classifications.  
12:00:34 PM 
Commissioners continued discussions regarding canal setbacks, noting ongoing concerns with maintenance 
access, unauthorized crossings, and undersized culverts.  
 
o 
VEHICLE PURCHASE UPDATE 
12:12:27 PM 
Milton reported that Planning & Zoning had completed the purchase of the department vehicle previously 
approved by the Board.  
 
o 
AREA OF IMPACT AGREEMENTS DISCUSSION 
12:12:45 PM 
Milton – provided an update on efforts to finalize the Area of Impact agreement with the City of Rigby. He 
noted that public notification requirements could affect approximately 2,700 addresses before duplicate records are removed. He 
emphasized that the agreement itself would not change zoning classifications but would likely generate questions from affected 
property owners.

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Commissioner Meeting Minutes 
 
JULY 13, 2026 
o 
BUILDING PERMITS UPDATE 
12:13:46 PM 
Milton reported that building activity remained relatively slow, although HVAC permit activity continued to 
support department revenues. 
 
o 
DISCUSS CITY PLANNING COMMISSION 
12:14:11 PM 
Milton – updated the Board regarding a recent City of Rigby Planning and Zoning Commission hearing 
involving a proposed rezoning of approximately 53 acres near 4000 East and Highway 48 to an R-3 designation. Planning & 
Zoning, the Prosecutor's Office, and Road & Bridge jointly prepared a letter outlining several concerns, including traffic studies 
and roadway design requirements. 
 
o 
SIGN INDEMNIFICATION LETTER – FOOTINGS INSPECTION 
12:19:07 PM 
Milton explained that an indemnification agreement had been prepared for a commercial project in which 
construction had begun before permits were issued and inspections completed. The agreement is intended to release the county 
from liability. 
12:23:40 PM 
Motion by Commissioner Clark to approve the agreement to hold harmless release, with Mike 
Peterson and Peterson Cabinets, and to approve and sign it. Second by Commissioner Young. Roll call taken. 
Commissioner Clark – aye, Commissioner Young – aye, Chairman Hancock – aye. Motion passed. 
 
INSURANCE – CARLOS APONTE 
• 
VEBA INSURANCE FUNDING – (ACTION ITEM) 
11:00:01 AM 
Carlos Aponte introduced actuary Kent Cannon, who was retained by the county to review the county's self-funded 
health insurance program and evaluate the financial condition of the VEBA account. Mr. Cannon provided historical information regarding 
the county's self-funded insurance model, noting that the county has been self-funded since 2004 and that reserve balances had 
previously helped offset fluctuations in claims costs. 
Mr. Cannon presented preliminary findings from his draft actuarial review, explaining that medical claims have increased significantly while 
contributions have not increased at the same pace. He stated that claim activity has remained consistently high, primarily because 
numerous claims have fallen below the individual stop-loss threshold rather than because of a few unusually large claims. He also noted 
that medical costs continue to rise annually and estimated an approximate eight percent increase in costs each year. 
Mr. Cannon indicated that additional information would be incorporated into the final report and that further recommendations would be 
provided once updated claim and renewal information became available. Kristine Lund stated that the account balance would continue to 
be monitored closely and that the matter would be brought back before the Board as necessary. 
Commissioners discussed using Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds to provide additional support for the VEBA account through the 
end of the fiscal year while a longer-term funding strategy is developed. 
11:45:15 AM 
Motion by Commissioner Young to fund VEBA from PILT in the amount of $150,000. Second by Commissioner 
Clark. Roll call taken. Commissioner Clark – aye, Commissioner Young – aye, Chairman Hancock – aye. Motion passed. 
 
11:53:47 AM 
Recess. 
12:00:34 AM 
Open session.  
12:26:05 PM 
Recess until 1:00. 
 
BUDGET WORKSHOPS 
• 
TREASURER – KRISTINE LUND 
1:13:35 PM 
Kristine Lund – presented the budget request for the Treasurer’s office.  
 
• 
PARKS & RECREATION – MARTIN JONES  
1:18:36 PM 
Martin Jones – presented the budget request for Parks & Recreation.  
 
• 
CORONER – LAVAR SUMMERS 
1:31:05 PM 
Carl Anderson – presented the budget request for the Coroner.  
 
• 
CLERK – DISTRICT COURT – MELANIE SMOOT 
1:55:40 PM 
Melanie Smoot and Christy Lords – presented the budget request for the District Court and Clerk’s office.  
 
• 
VETERANS – MELANIE SMOOT – AMY JOHNSON 
1:36:04 PM 
Melanie Smoot – presented the budget request for the Veterans Services.

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e ELECTIONS - MELANIE SMOOT - CATHY DABELL
1:44:20 PM Melanie Smoot — presented the budget request for Elections.

e¢ COMMISSIONERS - GENERAL - AIRPORT - CAPITAL CRIMES DEFENSE FUND - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND - HEALTH
DISTRICT - JUNIOR COLLEGE TUITION - TORT - VETERANS MEMORIAL - PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES (PILT) - AMERICAN
RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) - OPIOID SETTLEMENT
2:12:12 PM The Board and Clerk discussed the budget requests for the remaining funds in the budget.

3:10:08 PM Motion by Commissioner Clark to adjourn. Second by Commissioner Young. All in favor - aye. Motion passed.

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Commissioner Meeting Minutes July 13, 2026

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