March 3, 2025

The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Idaho, does hereby meet this 3rd day of March 2025.

IN THE MATTER OF ROLL CALL)

Donna White, Clerk, called roll call: Gordon Wilkerson, present; Jim Harberd, present; and Nate Marvin, present via zoom.

Jim Harberd opened the meeting and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Gordon Wilkerson gave the invocation.

IN THE MATTER OF CORRESPONDENCE/MEETINGS AND REPORTS)

Correspondence received by the Board was reviewed and disseminated as required. The Board reviewed the following: a February 21, 2025 request for funding from the Weiser Senior Citizens Center; a February 13, 2025 request for funding from the Snake River Heritage Center; a February 26, 2025 email from Scott Nichols regarding a public information meeting to be held March 20, 2025, at the Vendome regarding geothermal energy.

Gordon Wilkerson discussed drafting a letter to the Forest Service District Supervisor, Matt Davis, regarding grazing allotments. Wilkerson stated that he plans to attend a meeting with Irene Jerome with the American Resource Council. Wilkerson stated that Tom Schultz has been appointed as the U. S. Forest Service Chief.

Jeff Anderson presented the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Waterways Grant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the Board for approval. Anderson stated the County has been allocated $16,375.00 for recreational boat safety funding with 50% matching funds from the County. Anderson informed the Board that this is a reoccurring application.

Nate Marvin moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to allow the Chairman to sign the MOU with Idaho Department of Park and Recreation for 2025. Motion carried.

Anderson discussed the issue of a trash receptacle and porta potty at Karnes Access on the Weiser River. Anderson stated he has requested a revised MOU from Idaho Fish and Game.

IN THE MATTER OF MINUTES)

The minutes of the Board not heretofore approved of February 24, 2025, were approved as written.

IN THE MATTER OF ROAD & BRIDGE/SOLID WASTE)

Jerod Odoms, Road and Bridge/Solid Waste Supervisor, met with the Board. Odoms discussed the purchase of a 1985 International truck with the Board.

Nate Marvin moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to approve the purchase of a 1985 International truck. Motion carried.

Harberd asked who the owner of the 1985 International was. Odoms stated the owner is Luke Pomerleau.

Odoms discussed the piggyback purchase for chip seal oil from Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions, Inc., with the Board.

Nate Marvin moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to piggyback off the Power County bid from Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions, Inc., for chip seal oil. Motion carried.

Odoms discussed the install of a turn lane on Highway 95 and Shoepeg Road. Odoms stated the cost will exceed the limit required for requesting bids. Odoms further stated that the department does not have the time needed to pursue bids and do the prep work. Odoms recommended that the project be delayed.

There was discussion of when the project could be completed and possible use of grant funds for the project.

Marvin stated that since the May deadline cannot be met, Odoms should start planning for the project in the future by blasting, crushing, and stock piling rock.

Marvin requested contact information for the Idaho Transportation Department so he could follow up on the installation of a turn lane on Highway 95 near Ridley’s in Weiser.

Odoms provided a department update to the Board.

IN THE MATTER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS)

Robert Peterson, Information Technology (IT) Director, addressed the Board. Peterson presented an IT Employee Separation Form to the Board for review. Dahlia Stender, Juvenile Probation Supervisor, expressed concerns regarding the content of the form. Stender stated the form appears more like a HR (Human Resources) form. Stender informed the Board that she had a situation where the prosecuting attorney had to be involved to collect county property from the terminated employee.

Marvin stated that payroll can notify IT when an employee is terminated.

Peterson stated he just wanted to make sure IT is notified when an employee is terminated.

Bonnie Davis, Weed Superintendent, stated the department heads should take responsibility of informing the appropriate persons when an employee is terminated.

Harberd stated he felt each department head should have the responsibility of notifying payroll.

Donna White, Clerk, stated that she would work with Peterson to draft a separation form.

Peterson discussed unanticipated costs that have had to be paid from the IT/Computer budget due to the purchase of the Prosecutor’s Office and additional costs for the Annex Building remodel.

Dahlia Stender, Juvenile Probation Supervisor, informed the Board that the Juvenile Probation Department is up for their three-year review. Stender provided a copy of the Uniform Standards for Juvenile Probations Services to the Board for review.

Bonnie Davis, Weed Superintendent, informed the Board that the recertification class was well attended. Davis stated that Beef School was held last week, and the Rodent Seminar will be March 15, 2025. Davis further stated that the Annual Weed Notice will go out in April and digital mapping is to be online before spray season begins.

Sabrina Young, Treasurer, informed the Board there are currently two parcels for pending issue for tax deed. Information has been posted on the County website and the Public Hearing is scheduled for May 5, 2025. The notice will run in the newspaper for four weeks per statute. Notice will also be on the sheriff’s social media page as of today. Young provided an update on current legislation.

Debbie Moxley-Potter, Assessor, reported some employee workstations have been moved to the Annex Building. Property Tax Reduction Applications are being processed.

Johnny Biddinger, Emergency Manager, provided an update on the purchase of cell phones for the Board and Prosecuting Attorney. Biddinger discussed grant purchases for IT items. Biddinger informed the Board that some orders have been placed on hold.

IN THE MATTER OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEY)

True Pearce, Prosecuting Attorney, met with the Board. Pearce discussed the BND Holdings, LLC Development Agreement with the Board. Pearce reviewed the terms of the agreement. Pearce informed the Board that enforcement powers by the City of Weiser are not addressed in the agreement. Pearce stated that per the agreement, the County bears recording costs.

Marvin stated he felt the recording fees should be paid by the developer. Marvin expressed concerns about possible improvements to Indianhead Road.

Bonnie Brent-Dowell, Planning and Zoning Administrator, questioned why the agreement stated permits were to be issued in a timely manner and questioned if there was indication that building permits had not being done in a timely manner. Brent- Dowell asked if the Board would like her to send the agreement to the City of Weiser.

The Board agreed to send the agreement to the City of Weiser.

Gordon Wilkerson moved, seconded by Jim Harberd, to make changes to the agreement as discussed by removing the ‘county is responsible for the recording fees and timeliness in item #3’. Motion carried.

Pearce discussed an email received by the Board regarding 2024 House Bill 166 and Accessory Dwelling Units. Pearce stated that Washington County is in compliance and that the bill only applies to homeowners’ associations.

Jim Harberd moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to go into executive session at 10:28 a.m. in accordance with I.C. 74-206(1) (a & b) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent. This paragraph does not apply to filling a vacancy in an elective office, (b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student; and (f) to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. The mere presence of legal counsel at an executive session does not satisfy this requirement. Motion carried unanimous. Gordon Wilkerson, Aye; Jim Harberd, Aye; Nate Marvin, Aye.

Jim Harberd stated they were out of executive session at 10:35 a.m. IN THE MATTER OF AMBULANCE)

Jim Harberd moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to recess as the Board of Washington County Commissioners and convene as the Board of the Weiser Ambulance District. Motion carried unanimous.

Donna White, Clerk, called roll call: Gordon Wilkerson, present; Jim Harberd, present; and Nate Marvin, present via zoom.

Alan Foster, Ambulance District Director, met with the Board. Order No. 25-21 for payroll expenses in the amount of $33,651.53 and Order No. 25-22 for general expenses in the amount of $1,699.94 was presented to the Board for review. Foster provided a summary report of the district’s revenue and expenses as of January 31, 2025.

Jim Harberd moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to approve Order No. 25-21 for payroll expenses in the amount of $33,651.53 Motion carried.

Jim Harberd moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to approve Order No. 25-22 for general expenses in the amount of $1,699.94. Motion carried.

Jim Harberd moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to recess as the Board of the Weiser Ambulance District and reconvene as Board of Washington County Commissioners. Motion carried unanimous.

Donna White, Clerk, roll call: Gordon Wilkerson, present; Jim Harberd, present; and Nate Marvin, present via zoom.

Motion by Nate Marvin, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, and unanimously carried to recess at 11:08 a.m. until March 10, 2025, at 8:45 a.m.

Chairman, Board of County Commissioners

ATTEST:

Clerk

A full audio recording of the Commissioner Meeting is available at the Clerk’s Office upon request.