Caribou County Commission 5/13
The Board of County Commissioners met for a regular meeting on May 13. Commissioner Bryce Somsen was absent.
Kevin McClain
The question of whether the county was okay with companies plowing roads on their own during the winter was raised. It was decided that Doug Wood should draft a statement to the effect that any snow plowing that resulting in damage to county property would be the responsibility of the entities who plowed it.
The adoption of Village Road was discussed. Culverts, drainage, and other things needed to be finished before the road was up to needed specifications. It was stated that the county would need to put a lot of work into the road were they to adopt it. The adoption process would need to be initiated. The road is presently a private road, and documentation would need to be completed asking for the county to adopt it.
The Blackfoot River road is in the process of being examined by
engineers.
5 trucks are coming up or have passed the mileage for overhead. The exhaust valves require specialty tools. A total cost for all the trucks to be maintained to their recommended states was quoted at $913.88 for the next 160K miles. One of the graders has an operator sensor that is no longer functioning, making it inoperable until the sensor is replaced. $2,919 will be needed in order to fix the issue.
One of the county’s snow plows was reported to have a number two injector failure. A quote to replace the injectors was $7,500 from Kenworth. $2,500 for a setup to correct for the side to side issue with the plow. Whether the truck would justify the cost to fix was discussed. The truck in question is an International.
Eric Hobson
The EMPG Grant and the Homeland Security Preparedness grant has been decreased for next year, as a result of legislative changes affecting the allocation of the funds.
The seismic plan from the state is covered by a grant. The state created a plan last year, but it was determined to have numerous errors. The commission left the decision of whether to move forward with a new plan
to Hobson.
Hobson reported that the Weather Service predicted another hot, dry year, which would result in a busy
fire season.
A grant for the All-Hazard Mitigation Update has resulted in two bids. Hobson felt that both contractors were high quality, and both have experience in Idaho. $35K for EM, Integrated Solutions for $34.7K. Funds come out of grants. EZ EM plan was considered to have advantages in conciseness, experience with Idaho, and timeline.
The commission approved $35K to EZ EM for the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan update, paid out of Hazard Mitigation Program Fund.
Hobson presented a quick overview on a church group who wants to work with county on Family Emergency Preparedness Guide.
The ambulance response times were reported to be roughly the same as they have been. The goal is to never be more than 10 minutes from call to being on scene. At present, the average is 13 minutes. The EMS is continually working on improving the times. Staffing is low at present, which affects times.
Weed Control
During weed burning, a creosote railroad tie caught fire, and was extinguished with several fire extinguishers, and 1000 gallons of water. No damage was reported, other than a tire on
a trailer.
A new hire for the department was reported.
The program for the enforcement of the addresses has not yet been made available to the weed shop.
A printer for the weed shop has been arranged for, and the enforcement program will be loaded onto it for the department.
Assessor
Taxes on two mobile homes were cancelled, as they were physically no longer in the county. The parcel numbers were canceled for $234 and $442.
Nellie Askew
Ag protection bill. Farm Bureau asked for a bill to set up a zone for people to voluntarily place land into Ag zones. A board to manage these transfers will need to be established. It was determined that the commissionesr needed to examine the language of the bill in order to clarify how it would affect the county. “Agricultural Reserves” are the designations for the land zoned through this process.
Attorney Wood asked about whether there was a template ordinance. Askew replied that there was not, though some examples of similar bills were presented during meetings on the subject. The bill was also seen as being primarily relevant to Ada county, though it was required by legislation to establish a board to allow for the management of the law in every county.
Public Hearing
A public hearing on the subject of a zone amendment was opened. A residence on 690 Hwy 30 requested a zone change from Community Commercial 2 from Ag 1. PZ recommended approval based on all utilities being installed before residency. It was found to be in accord with Comprehensive Plan, etc, though fire codes and standards are still in need of vaerifying compliance. The Applicant is working with ITD. He explained that he was trying to clean the property up and provide additional units for the county. Various departments have been worked with.
Alan Skinner mentioned the city’s concerns about the bridge which leads to the area, which it was clarified needs to follow fire and EMS specifications.
The commission motioned to approve the rezone at 690 US HWY 30 in Impact Zone from Ag1 to C 2. (Community/Commercial) contingent on recs from PZ. Passed. Public Hearing closed.
Public Hearing for Adoption of Natural Resource Management Plan—Resolution 2024-03
A public hearing on the Natural Resource Management Plan guiding document was held.
The plan has been developed over a period of time by Askew, Hobson, and others. Comments from the Commissioners have been factored into the final plan.
Attorney Wood felt it was legally sound.
A motion to adopt the resolution was approved. The document runs 39 pages with many further pages of appendices.
Public Health
The budget proposal for SEIPH was presented to the commissioners. The budget runs from July to June. A hearing will be held at the Pocatello office. Statute requires Chairman to attend, or proxy. Maggie Mann was designated as proxy.
Changes from several years ago eliminated the indigent fund, and made some other changes which place the burden on county.
Biggest revenue source is grants and contracts, mostly through Fed grants and subgrants to SEIPH. Around 50%. 25.2% is from services, and county for 24.8%. Funds from opioid settlement is 1.5%.
Funding formula is set in ID code. 70% on population, 30% on assessed market value. Census data shows a pop of 7,219 people, or 4% of district total. Assessed market value is 8.3%. The total is $123,496, or 5.2% of county total. There was a significant jump in the assessed market value. Oneida had biggest jump in pop change, while Caribou had smallest. Caldwell had 2.5% value and pop growth. Lewiston had smallest—778 people. 25,691 people added to state.
District 4 had a decrease of valuation. Bonneville had biggest increase in valuation.
COVID funds are essentially completely used, and so various programs which had been supported by those funds or needs which had resulted from it are no longer part of the overall
budget.
A number of positions will not be renewed as a result.
An increase in demand for private pay for vaccinations, mostly for travel, has jumped in terms of demand, which increases operating costs.
As a result of the increased assessed value of county properties, the cost to the county will be an increase over
last year.
A new WIC coordinator for the county is in the process of being hired.
Aaron Cook
Assessor Cook spoke to the commissioners about values across the county. Cook indicated that the values have stayed strong, and potentially plateaued. A big change occurred last year due to five year re-eval. Grace and Bancroft will take a bigger jump this year, as they catch up to market value.
16% value change was noted this year. Last year the change was 26%, and the year before, 30%. Ag values have stayed about the same. Bancroft was well behind in valuation—recent sales have demonstrated that it is catching up.
The City of Soda have actually paid less or not much more tax over the last few years.
Justin Hatch
Hatch spoke to the commissioners about a new computer for Lisa Barfuss at the Extension Office. Two options were quoted at $1069 and $1379. Hatch recommended the newer model. A motion to approve the purchase up to $1400 was passed.
Jill Stoor
Stoor spoke to the commissioners about the naming of candidates for the coroner position. She clarified that the board was potentially required to receive the names in an open meeting, which would require a special session. The item is on the agenda for the 28th.
Because the coroner was removed in the middle of a pay period, a pro-rated amount was needed.
A service agreement with Adobe for $3,399 was signed.
Quotes from Safety Supply and Sign Company was received by Aly Shwulst for the new sign numbers needed throughout the county. The quote, for $1246 was approved.
MOU from Justin concerning Substance Use Disorder programs was in need of being signed. Community based alternative services and SUD program. Approved.
Idaho Association of Clerks and Commissioners Convention is coming up. The convention is in IF, and Bryce will be attending. June 4 and 6. Tour of INL in the afternoon.
Stoor had a number of budget questions for the commissioners, including those related to comp time and vacation time. Which hours accrue to overtime and how comp time is calculated will be affected.
It was determined that no kind of bonus should be extended to elected
officials.
