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Caribou County

Minutes

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COMMISSIONER MEETING OF August 25, 2025

The Caribou County Commissioners met in regular session on August 25, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Those in
attendance were:

Mark Mathews, Commissioner Mayor Jackie Barthlome

Bryce Somsen, Commissioner Connor Brown

Marty McCullough, Commissioner Stan Christensen

Tisha Young, Chief Deputy Clerk Dan Newsom

Doug Wood, Prosecutor Justin Hatch, Extension Office

Sharlene Simons, Deputy Clerk Marnie Spencer, U of |

Kevin McLain, Road & Bridge Dept. Rachel Hamilton, Extension Office

J. Adam Mabey, Sheriff Chief Deputy Russ Roper, Sheriff's Office
Rowdy Larkins, Building/Maintenance Brandon Hall, Idaho Enterprise

Helen Barker, P&Z

The meeting opened with Bryce Somsen leading the pledge of allegiance and prayer.

Kevin McLain, R & B:

Kevin shared that chipping is done for the year.

He said that this year in Grace, they have lost signs and stands for fresh oil, loose rock and road work ahead and
they lost about 7 sign and stands. Combines are also tipping over signs. He is hoping that they will show up
later but he is getting frustrated.

Kevin shared that there are change orders for Blackfoot River Road. Jake may call in later during the meeting.
Kevin said that just past the haul road they have found a culvert in some trees that has some bad drainage.
They will have to extend the culvert about 60 feet to the west to create more of a drainage as this has been one
of the soft spots and while they have their equipment there, they will fix it.

Jake has been working with Bayer on the reconstruction of the Degerstrom Haul Road at the intersection of
Blackfoot River Road. The proposed pavement section exceeds the needs of the County and is solely to
accommodate mining operations. Commissioner McCullough thought that it should be done and billing be sent
to Bayer; that expense comes to $10,187.50. Kevin is looking into verbage for use of the road as far as plowing
with the mines. He is also looking into conditional usage permitting on county roads as requested.

He talked to the mechanic that works on the equipment and he said he would agree to be compensated $125 a
month for tool allowance.

Tod agreed to be paid out for his comp time for 100 hours. Tisha agreed that it would be ok to be paid out that
much. The other employees are planning on taking time off to reduce their comp time. Kevin questioned if there
is a form to have Tod fill out.

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e Kevin talked to Dwight and he is having problems with the grader that is out to his place. Kevin reached out to
Western States and they have a used grader available that has a lot less hours on it. Kevin would like to move
forward in finding one to replace the grader that Dwight uses. The Board agreed.

e They are in the process of moving the crusher to the Mabey Ranch. Kevin mentioned that the material there
looks great after they blasted. The Forest Service asked about Timber Creek. Kevin said he is trying to
accommodate the Forest Service but he needs to take care of his stuff as well.

e Commissioner Somsen remarked that the BLM was asking about the parking lot in Ant Canyon and when that
would be done. Kevin mentioned that they might be able to get to that this fall.

e Culverts have been dropped off at Steele Lane. He needs to get dig line there before inserting them. They are
putting new culverts on Emery Hansen Lane.

e Kevin shared that he had all of the fire extinguishers inspected and he thought they hauled off about 1/3 of them
so he is anticipating a large bill to replace them.

e Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve change order #2 for Blackfoot River Road for the
increase of $10,187.50 for the haul road intersection and change order #3 for an increase of $9,045.31 for
the weight restriction sign and to extend the culvert with end treatment also at the Blackfoot River Road.
Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed.

=

. Adam Mabey, Sheriff:

e Sheriff asked for consideration in changing the County policy on paying employees for time off with National
Guard and Reserve. Currently they get time off with out pay. He looked into other agencies policies and shared
these with the Board.

e The other item he thought would help with retention and hiring, deals with when an individual retires. A
neighboring county gives the individual an option if they have been with the county for over 20 years and retiring
under Persi. The county gives them the option to continue on the county health benefits and paying their portion
of the benefits at retirement. The Board didn’t think this could happen due to Gem Plan policies.

e Commissioner Somsen asked about the activity in Montpelier. Sheriff said they called in the Star Unit due to an
individual threatening to do harm. He was just made aware that they would be coming through our county.

e LOTOJA is the first week in September starting on the 6". He will have extra patrol on that day.

Mayor Jackie Barthlome, City of Grace:

e Mayor Barthlome mentioned that they are replacing the culvert on Center Street. She said it doesn’t qualify for a
bridge due to it only being 14 feet. She stated that water is out of the canal as of the 1st of October and the
bridge will be out by the 15" of October. She said there could be some prior road work before then and she will
know more after tomorrow's meeting with her engineer. She asked if the county is going to do North Mingo Road
all winter or an access for the people to go that way or are they going to have to go down to McPherson/One-Mile
Road and come in that way. She was not clear on how long it would take but mentioned she can't go past April

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30 because the water goes in the 1s‘ of May. She will know more tomorrow and invited the Board to attend the
meeting. She wanted the Board to be aware of this.

Connor Brown - E-cyclers of ID:

Connor is the Business Development Manager for E-Cyclers of Idaho. He shared that they are R2V3 certified
electronic waste facility based in Idaho Falls. They are one of two facilities in Idaho. Connor wanted to come
and discuss the buffering of services to the landfill or any other facility that needs their service. An aspect of their
business is to reduce, reuse prior to recycling. They do provide pick up services. They are NSA compliant with
data destruction so they are able to shred, crush and logically wipe any device that goes into their facility.
Commissioner Mathews shared that the facility is now IDAWY and explained to Connor where the new facility is
being built and shared with other counties. He was invited to a meeting on the 27" and suggested to get on that
agenda.

Commissioner Somsen asked about the waste itself. Connor said it can be trucked to other states depending on
the cost.

Stan Christensen:

Stan shared an issue of flood control in three different places. Dan Newsome was also here with Stan and the
one issue is on 2070 Bench View Drive. They are having drainage issues which is causing rising nitrates in their
well water. They asked if they could get a culvert put in there which is adjacent to Mathews Brothers Farms.
Kevin will shoot it with a transit to see if this is possible.

He would like another culvert at 664 Lago Road which is North of Swenson’s as well as the existing culvert to the
South that needs worked on. Kevin thought the one above Swensen’s has a culvert that was never installed and
he thought they could go and install it. Commissioner Mathews said this will be looked into.

During the summer holidays Stan mentioned that they have motorcyclists that travel past his house going
excessive speeds. He is requesting a sign to slow them down.

Rowdy Larkins, Maint. & Building Dept:

Rowdy has been looking to try to switch over the water contract from Primo’s to Culligan. He shared a quote
from Culligan’s. Rowdy is looking into fine details to see about ending the current contract.

Rowdy met with the City of Grace concerning the Event Center Storm drain. The city has already closed their
budget but they sounded like they would pitch in where they can. Rowdy and Mayor shared where there could
be a pipe on the North side of the Event Center and send it to the west as well as other possibilities. Rowdy will
have Jake go and see if there is enough slope to do this. He did mention that this is holding up progress on the
building.

Rowdy talked to Travis and he needs information on the north side of the building. Discussion on using asphalt
instead of concrete.

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Justin brought up that they would like key fobs and coded locks for some of the doors. He will look into costs for
this. Rowdy shared that there is no electricity to the big doors so that is being worked up. As far as the IT side of
the building IT is not included in this. There is no server room. It was agreed to have TJ look into this to see how
much room they will need.

Rowdy talked about the signage on the building. He wondered about putting the sign on the wood or leave it the
same as designed. The fire station sign was agreed that it needs to be moved to the South side of the building
and not wrap around the side. The Board agreed to stay with the sign that it was originally designed. Justin
asked about wordage for University of Idaho. Marnie said that the University could potentially help pay for a sign.
She will look into seeing if a black and white clover can be used.

Justin Hatch/Marnie Spencer, Extension Office/U of |:

Justin gave a report of the Market Animal Sale. He shared that this year the amount that went through the sale
increased $90,000 from last year. His results compared back to 2020 with show an increase each year. He also
shared a handout from the University of Idaho and some Extension Trends including a 2024 Impact, 4-H in
Caribou County and On the Horizon.

He shared thanks for the support from the county.

Marnie thanked the board for their support for the University of Idaho. She supervises 14 counties in South East
Idaho. Justin is now staying in Caribou County with Carrie in Bear Lake County. She asked the Board to keep
her informed on how they can better serve Caribou County with programs and classes. She mentioned that she
was down last week doing Civil Rights review last week which is something that they do every 4 years.

Helen Barker, P&Z/Park & Rec:

Helen shared an email she received from Kim Hardy regarding Grouse Creek. Kim is asking how to remove the
MOU from record. All lots have been sold except lot 35. It was suggested to contact Doug on how to proceed.
She also wanted to know how to identify the high-water mark for owners in the future. This will depend on if the
improvements work.

She received a bid for the pet station for the Oregon Trail Marina. She will put this out next spring. The cost is
$502. The board agreed to have her purchase this now and store it for spring.

The ramp is now fixed and put in at the Oregon Trail Marina. Easy Supreme Docks in Firth is who fixed it and
cost about $1258. She will check with MR&E to make sure they know how to dismantle and remove it properly.
Helen presented an invoice for lawn care out at the marina in the amount of $500. This will be paid out of the
Parks and Recreation budget.

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to convene an executive session 74-206 (b) at 11:08 a.m.
Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Commissioner Somsen voted aye; Commissioner
McCullough voted aye; Commissioner Mathews voted aye. The motion passed and the executive session
began.

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e Commissioner Somsen suggested ending the executive session at 11:15 a.m. No decisions were made.

Chief Deputy Roper, Sheriff's Office:

e Commissioner Somsen made a motion to convene an executive session 74-206 (a) at 11:15 a.m.
Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Commissioner Somsen voted aye; Commissioner
McCullough voted aye; Commissioner Mathews voted aye. The motion passed and the executive session
began.

e Commissioner Somsen suggested ending the executive session at 11:34 a.m.

Doug Wood, Prosecutor:

e Doug had nothing to present today.

Tisha Young, Chief Deputy Clerk/ Sharlene Simons, Deputy Clerk:
e Tisha presented 4 certificates of residency for approval.

e Commissioner McCullough made a motion to approve 4 Certificates of Residency for 08/25/2025 as
presented. Commissioner Somsen seconded the motion. Motion approved.

e Sharlene presented a quote for elections supplies including stickers and feather flags to show where our polling
places are.

e Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve the purchase of some 9ft flags, bases, stickers, and
shipping in the amount of $2091.15 from A. Rifkin Co. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion.
Motion passed.

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Other:

e Commissioner Somsen made a motion to amend the agenda by adding Blackfoot River Road change
orders to Kevin McLain and then accept the agenda as amended. Commissioner McCullough seconded
the motion. Motion passed.

e Commissioner Somsen moved to approve the minutes of the August 11, 2025 meeting as presented, the
claims including remittances in the amount $288,459.41, for 8/21/25 and payroll claims in the amount of
$219,200.51 for 08/20/2025. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion carried.

e The meeting adjourned at 11:44 p.m. The Caribou County Board of Commissioners will meet again on
September 08, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. for regular meeting.

Signed: Mark Mathews, Commissioner Chairman Attested: Jill Stoor, Clerk

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