Caribou County | minutes | meeting 2025-08-11 | Minutes
source: https://www.cariboucounty.us/Commissioners/2025 Minutes/CCM 08_11_2025.pdf?t=202508251750100

COMMISSIONER MEETING OF August 11, 2025

The Caribou County Commissioners met in regular session on August 11, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Those in

attendance were:
Mark Mathews, Commissioner Chairman Ally Schwulst, GIS
Bryce Somsen, Commissioner Russ Roper, Sheriff Chief Deputy
Marty McCullough, Commissioner Aaron Cook, Assessor
Doug Wood, Prosecutor Levi Bowles
Tisha Young, Chief Deputy Clerk Mitchell Hardman
Sharlene Simons, Deputy Clerk Trenton Jensen
Kevin McLain, Road & Bridge Travar Hensley
Eric Hobson, Public Safety Cody Mcguire
Rowdy Larkins, Maint & Bldg Vincent Nelson
Dwight Lloyd, Weed Control Michelle Martin
Helen Barker, P&Z Brandon Hall, The Idaho Enterprise

The meeting opened with Mark Mathews leading the pledge of allegiance and prayer.

Kevin McLain, Road & Bridge:

Kevin mentioned that he received a comment on Afton’s Way — Mr. Whitworth didn’t like that they were putting all
the hot mix out and fixing all the bad spots. Perhaps it was from the sweeper pushing rocks on his driveway so they
went out and cleaned it up.

Commissioner Somsen mentioned that he received a comment on Larsen Road that everything was nice except a
hole in front of Jeff Landyke’s mail box was not filled in.

Kevin has talked to Jill about a couple of employees that have acquired quite a bit of comp time last year. It was
brought up last year that they could forfeit their comp time for a payout. One employee has about 120 hours on the
books. Kevin will talk to the employees to give them this offer and the Board agreed to pay up to the allowed amount
they can carry over.

He mentioned that Jake Poulsen with the Blackfoot River Road is having trouble getting water so they will use the
county shed until they can acquire a permit.

They are working by Scott Rigby’s putting new oil on that road today. They will be chipping down in the Grace area
for the next week or so. After that they should be done chipping for this season.

He said they will be getting the rest of the oil out of Ogden after tomorrow.

Kevin has scheduled 2 weeks to haul winter cinders over to Afton.

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Commissioner Somsen asked about the new dry storage shed in Soda Springs and Kevin mentioned it could be this
fall depending on availability or possibly spring. It was suggested for him to keep working on this and get it completed
sooner rather than later. Kevin also mentioned that he is getting bids to put tin on the shop in Grace to cover the
spray-on insulation.

Tisha talked to Kevin about when to pay out on comp time and it was decided to pay out by the end of September.

Eric Hobson, Public Safety:

Eric mentioned that we are still in fire season and we are still dry. The weather service is saying we will get moisture
in December when it snows. Harvest is going well although we have had a couple of small fires. They have been to
Franklin County helping them on the border with a fire. We are in stage 1 which is a federal staging system. This
means no open fires except in a controlled pit burning area.

He presented a quote for a thermal imager from Curtis Tools for Heroes. He has one on a truck already and would
like another one especially where they are going to Grace. He shared 2 quotes, one is a mid-range costing $9199
and a cheaper one for $5103.10. Eric would like the more expensive one and he has money in the budget.

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve purchase of a lime yellow thermal imager with a charger
and mount for a total amount of $9199 from Curtis Tools for Heroes. Commissioner McCullough seconded
the motion. Motion passed.

Eric then spoke about the EMT side of things. He shared that everyone has completed the advanced course. They
started with 14 participants and ended with all 14 and have started testing at this time. All the new equipment is being
purchased so bills will be coming in for that; they are trying to keep the cost down.

They would like the next EMT class to start in October and finish in February. Commissioner Somsen asked if it
could be done in the high school. Eric mentioned that he is bringing Kya on to help teach and she may be able to
help with the class at the high school.

He asked if the county will replace a personal item for an EMT. One person lost his glasses on call and he asked the
Board for permission to replace them. The Board agreed to replace them.

Eric would like to go and take the Executive level of his degree. FEMA covers tuition and travel but the county is
responsible for paying for his salary. Eric will bring in the application later. The Commissioners agreed to have Eric
continue working on his degree.

Commissioner Somsen asked about the ICRMP video on how they do their billing. Eric shared that this in only if
anyone is interested in watching a 9 minute video.

Rowdy Larkins, Building and Maintenance:

Rowdy called Jake Poulsen to share information about a Technical Memorandum for the Caribou County Events
Center. This project will address stormwater ponding issues on-site and includes the design and construction of a
new stormwater conveyance system, pipe outlet, and retention swale. Jake then explained different storm events for
different years which includes rainfall depth and runoff volume. The Board was asked which storm event they want
to plan for and they suggested planning on the 10-year storm event.

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Jake gave the options of 1) doing nothing, 2) doing an underground facility, or 3) a swale. Different options were
discussed on how to resolve this and Rowdy was asked to meet with the city. The Board is leaning toward the runoff
being sent to the fairgrounds. More discussion will come after the meeting with the city. Jake will put together costs
for these options

Commissioner Somsen asked about traffic control signs on the Highway by the Blackfoot River Road and Jake
clarified what is happening on the road construction that is starting.

Rowdy said he is waiting on bids for the generator and transfer switch.

He also shared that the fair went well.

Dwight Lloyd, Weed Control:

Dwight was not available today.

Doug Wood, Prosecutor:

Doug shared that the Axon system that he was going to go in on with Oneida and Franklin Counties now sounds like
Oneida is backing out so it will be just Franklin and Caribou County. He is going to meet with Axon and Franklin at
meetings in Boise to decide if this will still work. This means the cost will be divided into % and not by 1/3.
Commissioner Somsen shared that someone hurt their ankle at the fair. Doug has not seen anything on this.

Ally Schwulst, GIS:

Ally showed a short presentation on the update she has made on the GIS maps on the County website. The portion
she added is called the Caribou County Map Gallery. She showed all the maps, the links, and how they work. She
shared that there are links to other website such as the Caribou Loop Trail, Idaho 511 and more.

Ally has added many points of interest, irrigation organizations, wildlife management areas, public lands, municipal
boundaries, zoning, and many more.

Commissioner Somsen asked Ally if she could do another map for out in the hall for the Caribou Loop Trails to print
on an 8 % X 12 paper to share with the public. It was suggested to advertise her maps on social media so the public
is aware of them.

Commissioner Somsen asked how she is doing on the 911 project and she is said she is working on it throughout the
weeks and thought it will take about another year to complete the project.

Last week there was a company that requested our zoning data. They are wanting Solar and Wind information but
they are not allowed in Caribou County. It was agreed to give them the data.

Helen Barker, P&Z:

Helen wanted to discuss Grouse Creek. All lots but 35 have been purchased and she asked what needs to be done
for them to obtain building rights. The Board agreed that lot 35 could be sold but there would need to be certain
requirements such as a deed restriction. Helen asked if the owner would need to come in with their plans to meet
with the Board for approval and it was agreed.

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e Last week someone came and used the new ramp at the Oregon Trail Marina and damaged the new ramp. Bill has
fixed it temporarily with wire and she has someone coming to fix it and it will have to be removed and taken away to
fix it. She wanted the Board to be aware that this happened and that the ramp will be gone for a short time for repairs.

Tisha Young, Chief Deputy:

e Commissioner Somsen made a motion to enter into a Public Hearing for the Caribou County Budget hearing
at 11:01 Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously and the hearing
convened.

e Tisha shared the proposed budget for Caribou County fiscal year 2026. The proposed fiscal year 2026 budget has
been published in the Idaho State Journal for the past two Fridays. The following amounts were presented:
e Expenses:
Salaries - $5,525,976.88
Benefits - $3,104,346.16
Other - $10,076,898.00
Totaling $18,707,221.04

Revenues:

Cash Forward - $4,235,388.04

Proposed Taxes - $7,088,705.00
Intergovernmental Sources - $5,402,094.00
Grants - $90,000.00

Fees - $1,322,390.00

Ag Replacement - $74,870.00

Personal Property Replacement - $105,237.00
Other - $388,537.00

Total $18,707,221 .04

Total expenses are down $576,182.46 with the largest decrease coming from the Road & Bridge Department. This
is due to the completion of the Blackfoot River Road project which was grant funded. The largest increase is coming
from the Sheriff's Office with increased expenses of $208,699.67.
Revenues are down overall at $628,584.00. These decreases are mainly due to lower projected revenues from the
State specifically from ITD for the Road & Bridge Department, as well as SRS Funding and PILT.
As shown on the L2, the levy rate will decrease.000293722 from Fiscal Year 2025 at .003637241 to Fiscal year 2026
at 003343519. That calculates as a decrease of $29.37 per $100,000.00 of property value.

e Public comment: There was none.

e Jill has prepared Caribou County Resolution 2025-09 which reflects the numbers previously stated and she asked for
approval on that as well as Caribou County Resolution 2025-10 which reserves the forgone amount of $215,948.00.

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Commissioner Somsen made a motion to close the public hearing at 11:06 a.m. Commissioner McCullough
seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve Caribou County Resolution No. 2025-09 a resolution to
approve the Caribou County Budget for all county funds for 2025-2026 fiscal year. Commissioner
McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve Caribou County Resolution 2025-10 a resolution of the
Board of County Commissioners of the County of Caribou, Idaho, reserving the forgone amount for fiscal
year 2026 for potential use in subsequent years as described in Idaho Code 63-802, et al. Commissioner
McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Executive Session:

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to convene an executive session 74-206 (a) at 11:14 a.m. for the hiring
of Road & Bridge. 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.

Commissioner Somsen suggested ending the executive session at 12:51 p.m.

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to hire Trenton Jensen for the Road & Bridge. Commissioner
McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Other:

Commissioner Somsen moved to approve the agenda for 08/11/2025 as presented. Commissioner
McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve the minutes of 07/28/2025 as presented, the claims
approval report in the amount of $1,156,895.42 for 08/07/2025 and the payroll claims in the amount of
$378,387.53 for 08/06/2025. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Jill Stoor was not able to be here today and asked Tisha and Sharlene to present the following:

Tisha shared with the Board that Delta Dental sent an email saying that they have raised the price by 2% and if the
budget doesn’t have enough money in it, they will have to open the budget to pay this. This will not be in the budget
that will be presented today.

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e Sharlene shared the cost for the e-pollbooks, software, carrying case and support & maintenance license that will be
purchased from Tenex for the use in elections. The total amount is $30,904 and we have HAVA funds from 2023
and 2024 that will help us purchase these that add up to $22,713 making the County's portion $8191. We will have
to pay everything up front and the funds will be reimbursed for the HAVA fund. We are asking for approval of this
purchase.

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve the purchase of the Precinct Central EPB plus the software
support and maintenance license for a total amount of $30,904 from Tenex Software Solutions.

e Sharlene presented 2 Certificates of Residency for approval.

Commissioner McCullough made a motion to approve the 2 Certificates of Residency that were presented
for 08/11/2025. Commissioner Somsen seconded the motion. Motion passed.

e Sharlene shared that the MOU between the Caribou County Coroner and Sims Funeral Home for use of the transport
van had been signed by the County Coroner and Jill was concerned that the Commissioners should have signed this
as well. Doug mentioned that he drew up the MOU and thought it might be a good idea for an additional signature
from the Board. Commissioner Mathews signed the MOU.

Commissioner Somsen made a motion to approve the MOU between the Caribou County Coroner and Sims
Funeral Home for the use of the transport van. Commissioner McCullough seconded the motion. Motion
passed.

e Sharlene then expressed that Dave Patterson wanted to compliment the Road and Bridge Department for an
awesome job on Cedar View Road.

e The meeting adjourned at 12:51 p.m. The Caribou County Board of Commissioners will meet again on August 25,
2025 at 9:00 a.m. for regular meeting.

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

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