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minutes meeting date 2026-08-31 · fetched 2026-09-13 · 11760 characters · read by OCR, check numbers against the source · official file · plain text
Monday, August 31, 2026
Page 1 of 6
JEROME COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Monday, August 31, 2026
PRESENT: Ben Crouch, Chairman
Charles Howell, Vice Chairman
Art Watkins, Commissioner
Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk
Meeting convened at 9:16 am.
Mileage Reimbursement Discussion
The Board discussed the changes that were made at both the federal and state level for mileage
reimbursement. The reimbursement amount was updated to be 76 cents per mile.
Commissioner Crouch moved to update and raise the mileage reimbursement rate to the federal
rate as of October 1. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous
vote.
Commissioner Reports
Commissioner Watkins – Commissioner Watkins reported that he attended the rotary meeting.
There was a presentation from Torex Trucking.
Commissioner Howell – Commissioner Howell reported that he attended the Mike Pohanka
campaign kickoff meeting. Then he attended the Mid Snake River Water Resource Commission
meeting. He also attended the Southern Idaho Solid Waste meeting. The remodel project for the
transfer station in Jerome will start later this year.
Commissioner Crouch – Commissioner Crouch reported that he attended the Mike Pohanka
campaign kickoff. Then he attended the rotary meeting. He also attended the Idaho Ag Credit
ribbon cutting ceremony. Then he met with a constituent and toured their dairy.
EHM Engineers Inc on behalf of 93 Golf Ranch LLC to review of the Final Plat for 93 Golf
Ranch Subdivision No. 1, Phase 1
Staff present: Ryan Christensen
Public present: Bill Yager, Jenny Gihring, Arnold Peterson, and Matt Ahrens
Matt stated that he is here to go over the 93 Golf Ranch Subdivision No 1. There are lots created
around the undeveloped space near the golf course. These lots would be the first phase of lots.
The lots today total 7 lots with three shared drive ways that were required by the highway
district. He also stated that one of the biggest items was for water for the lots. The water would
be shared from the existing shares that the golf course has.
The Board wanted to confirm the expansion of use for the water shares from the golf course to
the subdivision. Matt stated that this would not create any sort of issue as the water is currently
Monday, August 31, 2026
Page 2 of 6
used for this area and would not change that water use. Ryan stated that all of the lots are smaller
than an acre, and with the extra lot it gets them up to above an acre.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the subdivision final plat for 93 Golf
Ranch Subdivision No. 1, Phase 1. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The
motion passed with a unanimous vote.
IT Purchases, Comp Time Payout
Staff present: Matthew McGregor and Cy Lootens
Matthew stated that he has a purchase request for an updated software for pdf’s. The current
software is not working effectively and so he has looked for a different one that will work better.
The cost of the new software is $1,043. He also had a quote be sent in by Sparklight as a
secondary internet service. The service will only be used in case of emergency. Lastly he has a
comp time payout request for the time that he has built up. He is requesting to have his comp
time paid out.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the new pdf software for $1,043, to
utilize Sparklight as our backup internet provider and approve Matthew as a
signer with them, and to approve the comp time payout for IT. Seconded by
Commissioner Watkins. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Matthew then reported that the new fire suppression system is almost all the way installed in the
new county data center room.
Draft Resolution for Water Management Plan for the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer/Snake
River
Public present: Alan Hansten and Lyle Johnstone
Alan stated that he has brought forward a resolution regarding a water management plan. There
has been some work done on mitigation plans for the eastern Snake Plain Aquifer and the Snake
River. The state did a similar process during 2009 and did not reach completion. He would like
to see this started again and try to have this procedure finalized. There have been meetings held
to try and create resolutions for approval from local areas. This resolution would be to make sure
that there is a concerted effort to try and restore the water of our local aquifer and how to do so
with clean water.
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve and sign the resolution for the water
management plan for the eastern snake plain aquifer/snake river as presented by
Alan Hansten. Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed with a
unanimous vote.
New Side by Side Purchase
Monday, August 31, 2026
Page 3 of 6
Staff present: Marty Luhr and Cy Lootens
Marty stated that he has reached out to JUB Engineers to see if there is a grant that can be used
to purchase a new fuel tank. The airport is currently going through two tanks of fuel a week. The
old side by side completely died and so he is looking to have a new one purchased. He did some
research into available side by sides in the area and was able to find the cheapest option. The
quote he received is for a two seat side by side in the amount of $12,113.
Commissioner Watkins moved to purchase a new side by side from Action
Cycles N Sleds for the amount of $12,113. Seconded by Commissioner Crouch.
The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Meeting recessed at 11:21 am.
Meeting reconvened at 1:15 pm.
Tri-County Weed Control Lien on Property
Staff present: Tevian Kober
Tevian stated that she received a lien from tri county weed. The property is at the Flying J. There
is a large amount of noxious weeds there. The company would not spray for it themselves. Tri
County Weed went and sprayed for them. The Flying J has not paid the amount for the spraying
since it was completed. The head of the weed board is looking to place a lien on the property
since the bill has not been paid. She is looking to have approval from the Board to have the bill
placed on the property as part of an abatement.
Commissioner Howell moved to approve the tri county noxious weed lien placed
upon the Northbridge Land Group LLC as presented, for parcel
RP002660020020A. Seconded by Commissioner Crouch. The motion passed
with a unanimous vote.
Discussion: The Board noted that this is done under the authority of the Idaho
Noxious Weed Law, Title 22, Chapter 24, Idaho Code.
Fire Extinguisher Trainings Update
Staff update: Eric Jackson and Cy Lootens
Eric wanted to give the Commissioners an update on the dates for the fire extinguisher training.
There are two classes set for September 15th and one for September 22nd. The last time that this
was discussed there was a discussion on doing a prize drawing for each class. The Board stated
that there would need to be some research done on this as to what can be done. Eric also wanted
to confirm what would need to be phrased in the invites for the training classes. The Board
discussed that they would like to have the department heads attend and it be open to all other
employees if they wish.
Monday, August 31, 2026
Page 4 of 6
ICRMP Renewal Discussion
Staff present: Cy Lootens and Tracee McKim
Public present: Bryan Craig
Bryan stated that he has come to give an update on the insurance for the overlook park. He
confirmed that the insurance would be up to the park board since it is a 501(c)(3). He also
wanted to confirm all of the assets for the county at different locations to ensure that they are
covered under the county insurance. He discussed the information that was received about the
insurance renewal. The amount for the county contribution is $385,539.
Final Budget Discussion
Staff present: Cy Lootens and Tracee McKim
Cy stated that he received information regarding the gift card rules. Any type of gift card
received by an employee would need to be filed on a W-2. The Board discussed that there could
be a donation given in the form of PTO instead of gift cards in the future. Cy also discussed that
the budget will be signed next week for the upcoming fiscal year. He wanted to see if the Board
had any final questions before next week when the budget is finalized. Concerns in the Sheriff’s
office were discussed.
Commissioner Howell moved to amend the agenda to allow for Jesse Vallez from
HR to come in for a budget discussion. Seconded by Commissioner Watkins. The
motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Sheriff’s Department Budget and Wages Discussion
Staff present: Jesse Vallez, Cy Lootens, and Tracee McKim
The Board wanted to discuss the sheriff’s budget with Jesse. The Board had a question regarding
the raising of deputies of the same rank to have them making the same wages. The Board wanted
to see if that is a possibility or could cause issues based on seniority as well as
training/experience. Jesse stated that she had some of these same concerns. She discussed this
with the sheriff and how this would work. With some of the positions it bumps them up from
year to year, but others don’t work this way. The issue that is trying to be leveled out is the
people who were not bumped up from each year and now have a disparity in pay. The sheriff
also wanted to keep gaps for those who have positions based on seniority/experience. She
discussed that there were several deputies that are being paid less than other deputies with the
same rank and with less experience. The commissioners will continue this discussion with the
sheriff on Thursday 9/3/26
Sign and Approve Claims
Commissioner Watkins moved to approve the claims as presented by staff.
Seconded by Commissioner Crouch. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Monday, August 31, 2026
Page 5 of 6
To see an image of the report please see page 6 of the minutes.
Read and Approve Minutes
Commissioner Crouch moved to approve the minutes from 08/17 and 08/24.
Seconded by Commissioner Howell. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Meeting adjourned at 3:46 pm.
________________________
______________________________
Ryan Treanor, Deputy Clerk
A. Ben Crouch, Chairman
______________________________
Charles M. Howell, Commissioner
______________________________
Art Watkins, Commissioner
BUDGET TOTALS
DEPARTMENT
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PAYROLL ACCT PAY
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$ 18,099.04
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$ 54,659.13 7,333.71 | $
61,992.84
| |Sub Total (Justice Fund) $ 320,773.42 21,203.19 | $ 341,976.61
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LECTION CONSOLIDATIO
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rs 4,902.10 |$ _13,170.40|$ 18,0
8,556.41
14,910.42
4656.25 13,212.66
14,910.42
26.61
780.00
2,346.75
15,759.53
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2,373.36
16,539.53
TORT
AMBULANCE
WATERWAYS BOARD
WATERWAYS SHERIFF
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$ 505,853.07
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107,919.19
74,108.47
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