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minutes meeting date 2025-08-28 · fetched 2026-09-13 · 7927 characters · official file · plain text
August 28, 2025, BOCC Minutes
Meeting Details
Date of Meeting:
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Commissioners present:
Ernie Moser, Jeff Hough, and Ken Bullock
Clerk of the Board:
Jason C. Dixon
Absent Board Members:
Staff present:
Deputy Clerk Nancy Allen, Comptroller Kristi Klauser, Attorney Jon
Radford, and HR Director Matthew Phillips
Agenda Details
AGENDA
Regular Business and Claims Meeting (action items)
Agenda:
1
•
Maggie Mann, Southeast Idaho Public Health Department, providing a quarterly update
2
•
Scott Crowther, Event Center and Wellness Complex, seeking to finalize and approve the Rental
Agreement with PVSC United Soccer (requested 10 minutes) (action item)
3
•
(AMENDED to include) Discuss a vehicle for the Coroner (requested 5 minutes) (action item)
4
•
Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Discussion (potential action item)
5
Claims Agenda:
•
Board of Ambulance District: Invoices and Commissioner Report
•
Board of Commissioners: Invoices, Commissioners Reports, and Credit Applications
•
Salary Rate Approval Forms/Notice of Separation with Potential Executive Session under Idaho
Code §74-206(1)(a)&(b) regarding personnel with potential action following adjournment of
Executive Session
•
Payroll Report
•
Volunteer Agreement
•
Alcohol Licenses and Permits
•
Certificate of Residency Approval
•
Mileage Reimbursement Requests
•
Technology Request Form
•
Memorandum Authorization for Accounts Payable
Meeting Notes
1
9:00 AM Hough called the meeting to order and requested a moment of silence for the tragedy yesterday.
Moser moved to accept the amended agenda. The motion passed.
9:01 AM Mann reviewed the statute was repealed for licensing and inspection of swimming pools leaving
no authority to license or inspect in Idaho. That leaves a big risk for communicable disease. Oneida
County requested help to give authority to the county. The Health Department recommended the cities
and counties adopt ordinances and that the ordinances should mirror each other. A draft ordinance was
submitted and a memorandum to have the Health District complete the inspections as they have the
knowledge and experience. Questions arose regarding jurisdiction with the bulk of pools being in cities
and fees.
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
BANNOCK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
August 28, 2025, BOCC Minutes
2
9:11 AM PVSC President Mary Keller, Financial Administrator Cortney Lew, and Secretary Erika Neu
were also present. Crowther reviewed this is a follow up discussion for the PVSC contract. The suggested
structure implements an increase from $27,000, to $30,000, and to $33,000 and the goal is to reduce the
impact to kids. The contract includes spring and fall service projects. Dixon relayed this issue is not due
to this leadership. In the past, the County was blamed for rate increases by previous soccer leaders and
there has been a lot of finger pointing. The County would expect when getting a huge price break, it
would be acknowledged. The soccer fee rates went from $600 to $1,000 when other clubs in Idaho Falls
are only $400. When the Commissioners give a fee waiver, some of purpose is to make things affordable
for everyone. The fee waiver is from $300,000 to $12,000. Dixon reported complaints he heard that
scholarships were approved, but then reversed, and now the club is going to build a new building with the
cost savings from the County. The County is looking for a better partnership. Discussion ensued on the
number of players, helping families, scholarships, improved fields, and culture development. Moser
moved to approve a one-year contract with PVSC. The motion passed.
3
9:36 AM Assistant Public Works Director Buddy Romriell, Coroner Torey Danner, and Shop Supervisor
Jason Murdock. Romriell reviewed needed repairs for the Durango. The private party value is $7,000 in
fair condition. He recommended selling the vehicle through auction. The alternative is to purchase a
vehicle. There is an LS in Utah for $60,300 with 4,700 miles or a new one in Boise for $62,195. The
Board preferred staying in Idaho. Klauser shared the purchase would use capital. Bullock moved to
proceed with the dealer in Boise with the same parameters as the search for pricing. The motion passed.
4
9:40 AM Hough was thankful for the public involvement. Moser explained that a position was not filled
and those funds were utilized to budget raises. The Commissioners are full time employees and work
24/7, even on vacation. The cost of running for office is spendy and between the three of them, they serve
on 27 boards. There are over 500 references to duties of commissioners in Idaho Code. The veterans
memorial building had water damage and they asked for money. They were told County staff would be
sent over, but they hired a contractor. The County has spent $900,000 on that facility and it has not been
abandoned. There are funds in the proposed budget. Additionally, non-profits are not taxed and do not pay
property taxes. He thanked Aid for Friends for coming to meet individually with the Board after the
budget was released. There have been comments for not supporting veterans, but that is not true. His
daughter is a veteran and the County has a veterans program.
9:45 AM Bullock pointed out there was additional costs for health benefits that did not get passed to the
employees. The County is full of continued mandates such as providing law enforcement and a jail. Some
counties don’t have a facility. We maintain 500 miles of roads. There are judicial mandates to maintain a
courthouse. The juvenile system has a jail that houses for the region. There is a mandate of the people to
keep down mosquitos and weeds, and a mandate for an ambulance program that services down to Fish
Creek pass. Assessment of properties is mandated, along with motor vehicle registration and drivers
license. Too often, people don’t think counties do anything, but yet counties are involved in a lot of
things. There’s a prosecutor; mandated. There are close to 400 employees to keep happy. The Board met
with every department. It is not as simple as someone looking at one budget meeting and know the whole
process. Mistakes can happen. One of the biggest mandates from the people is to keep property taxes low.
One of the areas missed on is charities. In defense, counties are not mandated to fund non-profits. Not
many cities do. With the information had, decisions were made. He apologized for looking narrowly at
the non-profits, but would not apologize for trying to take care of the citizens. They are making efforts to
find funds to make the non-profits whole out of the current budget. There are no revenues to be able to
just raise prices.
9:54 AM Hough made comparison to being a referee; no matter what you do you won’t make everyone
happy. Hough relayed experience using County services with his daughter for a hospital bill. That’s the
heart of Bannock County and that came through when everyone shared voices about taking care of non-
profits. He apologized for not having all the information. They are looking for ways to restore some
funding. There is no solution today, but a path forward. He thanked citizens for participation in the
process.
9:57 AM Bullock moved to approve the budget for FY2026 with a promise to increase collaboration
moving forward. The motion passed.
5
9:59 AM Moser moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion passed.
August 28, 2025, BOCC Minutes
Action Item Summary
ACTION/DIRECTION
ASSIGNED TO
Approved amended agenda.
Clerk
Approved one-year contract with PVSC.
Parks & Rec
Approved auctioning Durango and purchase vehicle.
Coroner/Public Works
Approved FY2026 budget.
Auditing/Resolution
Approved consent agenda.
Clerk
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