Caribou County Commission
The Caribou County Board of Commissioners met for a regular meeting on July 22.
Kevin McClain—RB
McClain updated the commissioners on the summer road work currently in progress. Gravelling is underway in a number of areas, and projects were reported to be on schedule at present. Gravel is being stockpiled for use in more remote areas, which will save the time involved in transporting the material for crushing. AC issues were reported at th county shop. MClain suggested that they would be looking into the cost of AC repairs.
Commissioner Somsen inquired about the Whip-around system (which is used for the management of equipment and inspections). Clerk Stoor raised the issue of per diem for the use of cellphones on the part of employees, which might be required under the terms of the phone contract. Somsen asked McClain to clarify with other counties how they handle the cellphone issue. Stoor conveyed congratulations from Simplot for the work on the Conda road by the department. The Simplot crew had expressed their appreciation directly
to Stoor.
The Commissioners also expressed gratitude to McClain for the department’s work.
Sheriff Mabey
The Sheriff spoke to the commissioners and provided an update. He addressed the concerns that Rocky Mountain Power had expressed about Alexander reservoir. A recent accident in Bear Lake makes the issue of water safety especially timely. The sheriff reported that wakes from powered vehicles did present something of a hazard on Alexander Reservoir. The sheriff will continue to observe the situation and make reports, as well as monitor the operation of boats on the reservoir. The regulations are set by the county, as modifications of state code regarding how close to the shore wake boats can be within the county’s waterways. It was reported that even slow moving wake boats can create potentially dangerous waves if they are close to shore. The sheriff reported that Dike Lake has “share the lake, watch the wake” policies in place, and has been doing a good job patrolling itself.
The upcoming parades were discussed, and plans were in place for maintaining safety for the Fair parade in Grace and the 24th parade in Bancroft.
The sheriff’s office was reported to be adequately staffed. Code enforcement regarding watering roadways was discussed. Chairman Mathews suggested that warnings should be given out for complaints that are received, and citations when needed. The issue is covered by both the county and state codes, and violations can be pursued under either.
The sheriff reported that the state has determined that the county needs to follow the state code regarding abandoned vehicles, which requires three different organizations to deal with them before they can be disposed of. The sheriff is working with Representative Wheeler to streamline the process.
The sheriff is still interested in making the animal ordinance more specific and stringent in order to allow the county to deal with abandoned animals. The sheriff would like to change the ordinance to allow for citations in the case of dogs who injure or kill livestock, which would include a mechanism for restitution.
The sheriff reported that the Search and Rescue building is in need of repair. He would like the commission to keep repairs to the building in mind for the upcoming budget cycles.
OSHA is in the process of changing rules regarding training for issues such as technical rescue (using ropes and other equipment), as well as ATV and Snowmobile use to require OSHA training in order to operate the equipment. The sheriff suggested that those changes would severely impact services that use citizen and volunteer aid. Costs to account for the training were predicted to be significant.
Tracy Hebdon—SEICAA
Hebdon is a Data Analyst with the organization. SEICAA is required to put out a community needs survey on a three year cycle. The survey explores economic conditions and needs for the community served by the organization. The survey also requires an informal information session with county officials to discuss poverty remediation plans. The assessment is anonymous, and is used to gather information about basic demographic issues.
Hebdon asked the commissioners what the driving factors of poverty in the area were. Jill Stoor mentioned the costs of housing, and Commissioner Somsen added that inflation had also affected the price of food as well. Hebdon stated that housing was a common factor in all the areas they covered. She then asked what potentially might be done to combat the issue. The addition of more affordable housing was suggested.
The vulnerability of elderly residents with regard to current inflation was discussed. The isolation resulting from disability was also mentioned as a factor in the situation of poverty. The lack of resources related to mental health services was also raised.
Asked what the biggest change in the community over the last three years was, the commission noted the increase in new people moving into the county, which puts a strain on housing and other resources. Stoor noted an increase in drug cases in the county, which may have correlation to the poverty issue, as an additional stressor on county services such as law enforcement and courts.
Chairman Mathews mentioned that there were many good-paying jobs in Caribou County for people who were willing to work.
IDAWY
Jayson Lower from IDAWY spoke to the commissioners about fee schedules. Tipping fees were discussed in relation to the Bonneville area, but no action was announced or decided upon on the part of the county. A resolution regarding the fee schedule for Grays Lake and Wayan will be worked on. Once the details are worked out they will be published and noticed. Lower explained that the landfill in Caribou County is not closing, despite what he suggested were rumors that had been going around. The transfer station is nearly complete.
The board has been successful at selling metal, and will present a check to the county from some of the proceeds. Lower reported that IDAY is doing well.
Rick Phillips/Andrea Gumm—Simplot
Rick Phillips representing JR Simplot spoke to the commission. He expressed thanks to the commission and introduced Andrea Gumm as the new Public Relations manager. Andrea graduated from SSHS, and she and her family have been residents of the county and worked in a number of capacities before taking this job. She expressed her enthusiasm for the position. Gumm will be replacing Phillips as the liaison with Simplot for the county. Gumm has been with Simplot since June.
Dan Darlington also spoke to the commission. “If someone’s up to the task, I know Andrea is.” The pipeline project was reported to be on schedule, including reclamation of the roads. The roads will be closed until the middle of August, but opened up again for hunting season.
Senior Citizen Vehicle—Lucetta Holt
Holt reported on the status of the senior center. The center was recently flooded as a result of a water supply which broke and was not noticed for several days. The center has contacted a restoration company to work on saving as much of the infrastructure as possible. It will be at least 4-6 weeks until the dining area is ready for use again, though take out and meals on wheels will continue as normal. Events like cards will still be held.
A 2006 Dodge Caravan has been offered for donation by Can Do Auto for use delivering Meals on Wheels. Holt asked the commissioners what the best way forward as far as potentially accepting the vehicle would be, with regard to insurance, etc. Right now, meals to Grace are delivered by center employees in their own vehicles. It was presumed that donating the vehicle to the county, which could then authorize it for use by the center, was the easiest way to facilitate the operation.
Holt asked about how budgeting for the water/sewer hookup would be paid for in conjunction with Main Street construction. The commission believed that those expenses should be covered by a grant which is currently in the process of being evaluated. If the grant does not cover the expenses, the county will pay it.
Jill Stoor
Clerk Stoor spoke to the commissioners about a number of issues.
The Extension office is replacing sewing machines which have been deemed too old for their current needs. Lisa Barfuss at the office wanted to clarify whether the surplus items needed to be handled in a particular way. The commissioners will talk to Doug Wood about the issue.
The commissioners reiterated that they would like to hear from Judge Brower a few times a year by way of a report and update from the court.
Stoor has had reports that alcohol was being sold at the Oregon Trail Country Club, which does not currently have a liquor license. The license expired in 2022. Paperwork has been filled out and fees paid by the owner. The license was approved by the commissioners for 2024-2025.
Casey Batterton spoke to the clerk about office space. Several options were discussed.
Pioneer Day parade is scheduled for Wednesday in Bancroft.
The Main Street project was reported to have been “an adventure” so fair in terms of parking and logistics. The specifics of what is allowed on the street in terms of parking has caused some confusion. Stoor suggested that county employees could park in areas around the block, but leave the front of the building free for parallel parking in order to accommodate the public and the court.
The commissioners met in executive session to discuss personnel issues, and then adjourned for a regular inspection of the jail facilities.
