Bannock County | minutes | meeting 2025-08-28 | August 28, 2025, Commissioner Meetings source: https://www.bannockcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250828-Minutes-Final.pdf 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 The motion passed. 9:01 AM Mann reviewed the statute was repealed for licensing and inspection of swimming pools leaving no authority to license or inspect in Idaho.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