March 24, 2025

The Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Idaho, does hereby meet this 24th 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.

Jim Harberd opened the meeting and Nate Marvin 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.

Jim Harberd reported that he attended the Southwest District Health Board meeting last week.

Nate Marvin reported that he attended the Geothermal informational meeting last week at the Vendome. Jim Harberd also attended.

Nate Marvin moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to approve a demand warrant payable to Ideal Lending, LLC in the amount of $4,000.00 for a 1998 International Truck for the Road and Bridge Department. Motion carried.

Jim Harberd moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to approve Beniton Change Order PCO #020 in the amount of $1,354.95. Motion carried.

IN THE MATTER OF MINUTES)

The minutes of the Board not heretofore approved of March 17, 2025, were approved as written.

IN THE MATTER OF CLAIMS)

The Auditor was authorized to issue warrants totaling $382,592.78 for general expenses by a motion of Nate Marvin, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson. Motion carried unanimous.

IN THE MATTER OF ROAD & BRIDGE/SOLID WASTE)

Jerod Odoms, Road and Bridge/Solid Waste Supervisor, met with the Board. Odoms provided contact information to Nate Marvin for a person to contact regarding the turn lane on Highway 95 near Ridley’s Market in Weiser. Odoms provided a department

update to the Board. Odoms discussed the Solid Waste Conference that he and Damion Arnold attended last week.

There was discussion regarding the status of Pearl Lane. Odoms stated that Pearl Lane is not a County road but may be a county right-of-way.

Jim Harberd moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson to go into executive session at 9:19

a.m. in accordance with I.C. 74-206(1) (c) to conduct deliberations concerning labor negotiations or to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency; 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 9:28 a.m. IN THE MATTER OF BENITON CONSTRUCTION)

Luke Stephens, with Bention Construction met with the Board. Also present was Jason Martineau. Stephens reported that there had been discussion regarding the fiber line that was damaged by the sub-contractor outside the Annex Building. Stephens proposed a 75% cost to Beniton and the county to pay the remaining 25% of the cost for the replacement of the fiber cable. Stephens proposed having MTE (Midvale Telephone Exchange) install the new fiber cable per the quote they submitted since that was the best quote received.

Wilkerson asked if Digline had been contacted prior to the damage to the fiber line.

Jason Martineau stated that Digline had been contacted, but this was a private line that was not recorded by Digline.

There was continued discussion with Beniton and Robert Peterson, Information Technology Director, on the cost of the install of the 24-fiber cable and the appropriate way to move forward.

Gordon Wilkerson moved, seconded by Nate Marvin to go into executive session at 10:01 a.m. and. in accordance with I.C. 74-206(1) (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 10:23 a.m.

Jim Harberd moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to agree to have Beniton cover 75% of the cost to install the 24-fiber cable and the County will negotiate the remaining 25% upon completion of the job. Motion carried.

IN THE MATTER OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEY)

True Pearce, Prosecuting Attorney, met with the Board.

Gordon Wilkerson moved, seconded by Jim Harberd to go into executive session at 10:25

a.m. and. in accordance with I.C. 74-206(1) (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 10:52 a.m. IN THE MATTER OF PLANNING AND ZONING)

Bonnie Brent-Dowell, Planning and Zoning Administrator, met with the Board. Brent- Dowell reviewed the Luis and Maria M. Negrete Rezone with the Board. Brent-Dowell stated this is a rezone of a five-acre parcel of land and they are requesting an additional dwelling on the property. The applicant will need to complete the subdivision process to build a home.

Gordon Wilkerson moved, seconded by Jim Harberd, to approve the rezone for Luis and Maria M. Negrete.

Nate Marvin stated, for the record, that there is no additional city water taps available to the property.

Motion carried unanimous.

Brent-Dowell discussed the Rodney C. Panike Rezone Request for a one lot subdivision in the City of Weiser Impact Area with the Board.

Jim Harberd asked if there was an easement to the property. Brent-Dowell stated that per the plat, they will have to have a road use agreement.

Gordon Wilkerson clarified that the applicant would have to go through the subdivision process. Pearl Lane in not a County road.

Rod Panike addressed the Board and stated that Pearl Lane used to be a county road but was vacated years ago.

Gordon Wilkerson moved, seconded by Nate Marvin, to approve the Rodney C. Panike Rezone Request with consideration of an easement to the property. Motion carried.

Brent-Dowell discussed the Bomont Sterns on behalf of the JN Randall Century Ranch LLC Special Use Request to operate a plant nursery on Quail Lane, Weiser, Idaho. There was continued discussion of Flood Plain requirements due to the subject property being located in the flood plain.

Nate Marvin moved, seconded by Gordon Wilkerson, to approve the Bomont Sterns on behalf of the JN Randall Century Ranch LLC Special Use Request contingent on the applicant meeting the FEMA Flood Plain requirements. Motion carried.

IN THE MATTER OF BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT)

Brent Ralston and Natalie Cooper met with the Board. Ralston provided an update on last year’s fires and discussed plans for rehabilitation. Discussed working with Idaho Fish and Game to close areas of the deer winter range. Ralston stated that emergency stabilization has been completed.

Harberd inquired if there would be any effect on trailing sheep through the burned areas.

Ralston stated he had talked with Harry Soulen and a plan was worked out with Soulen for trailing his sheep.

Ralston informed the Board there are several road right-of-ways that are up for renewal. Ralston stated they are working with Midvale Telephone Exchange to install fiber optic cable in the Midvale area. Ralston further stated the BLM has been working with Tom Seid, Strickland Stone and Michael Addess regarding road right-of-way applications/renewals. Ralston discussed removal of materials (gravel) in the Weiser River. Ralston stated that BLM will continue to work with Littlebridge on the project.

Wilkerson discussed the approval of the campground at Steck Park and the condition of Olds Ferry Road. Wilkerson stated the road to Steck Park is in the Weiser Valley Highway District. The district does not have the funding to repair the road. Wilkerson inquired if there is a way to supplement the cost of maintenance on the road.

Ralston stated that Idaho Department of Fish and Game manages the boat ramp at Steck Park. Idaho Power has agreed to take over management and operations of the campground.

IN THE MATTER OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY)

Mike Murphy with Idaho Department of Lands met with the Board. Ryan Waite, Resource Manager, was also present. Murphy discussed the public meeting that was held March 20, 2025, at the Vendome. Murphy provided information on other projects in the State. Murphy stated there are currently active geothermal applications in Washington,

Elmore, and Bonneville Counties. Murphy told the Board he felt this would be a slow process.

Harberd asked if once drilling is completed and ready to set up would grazing leases be retained?

Waite stated that leased areas would be adjusted if needed. Wilkerson stated he did not see the downside to the proposal.

Ryan Waite stated there is a very low environmental impact. Waite informed the Board there will be exploration drilling to determine if there is a viable geothermal source in the County. Waite discussed possible mineral leases near Hornet Creek in Washington County.

Motion by Gordon Wilkerson, seconded by Nate Marvin, and unanimously carried to recess at 12:15 p.m. until April 7, 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.