COMMISSIONERS MINUTES
JANUARY 23, 2004
The Board of Elmore County Commissioners met in special session on the above
date in the Commissioner’s Room, basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150
South 4th East, Mountain Home, Idaho.
The purpose of the special session was to meet with Mir Seyedbagheri, Extension
Office Department Head, Pat Momont, District Director of District II, College of
Agriculture University of Idaho and Wes Wootan to discuss Elmore County
Extension Office issues. Present at the meeting was Chairperson Mary Egusquiza-Stanek,
Commissioners Calvin Ireland and Larry Rose, Prosecutor Aaron Bazzoli and Clerk
Gail Best.
There was discussion on whether to go into Executive Session and Chairperson
Egusquiza-Stanek read the various provisions for authorizing an executive
session. Dr. Momont stated that Mir is a University of Idaho employee not an
Elmore County employee. Prosecutor Bazzoli asked why this group had even come
together then, and questioned whether or not Mir should even be present. Mr.
Wootan stated he had not realized that Prosecutor Bazzoli or Clerk Best would be
present and Prosecutor Bazzoli replied that they, or their representative were
present at all meetings held by the Board. Commissioner Rose stated that since
Dr. Momont had visited with the University attorney prior to the meeting the
Board had every right to have their attorney present at the meeting.
Dr. Momont said all of the allegations seem to be a misunderstanding, failure to
communicate - and he would like to see a written policy on reimbursement. Mr.
Wootan stated that everyone needed to help solve this problem by cooperation and
working out procedures that will work.
Dr. Momont stated he felt the County should put in writing any problems they
felt they had, so that each issue could be properly addressed. The bank account
and credit card that the County did not know about was discussed at length.
There was discussion on what to do about it, and it was agreed that the account
has now been closed. Both Prosecutor Bazzoli and Clerk Best stated Elmore County
does not want the words Elmore County on anything that they did not know about
and that was not being audited by the outside auditor. Dr. Momont stated that
the County had every right, by contract language to audit the accounts and Mr.
Wootan stated that the County should be auditing regularly. Clerk Best stated it
was impossible to audit an account that they had no knowledge of.
Mr. Wootan stated that his team would be willing to help solve any of these
problems.
After further discussion it was agreed that there will a joint effort between
Dr. Momont, Chairperson Egusquiza-Stanek and Mir to come up with procedures for
operating procedures.
Clerk Best stated she wanted to be certain there was no misunderstanding - these
procedures would apply only to the Extension Office, because the Elected
Officials would not be subject to any management procedures in their offices
other than the official personnel policy already in existence, and that they
would remain in charge of hiring and firing in their own office. Mr. Wootan
questioned why the procedures would not apply across the Board and Clerk Best
and Prosecutor Bazzoli stated that they, the Assessor, the Treasurer, the
Sheriff and the Board are elected officials and not department heads. The Board
of Commissioners are in charge of the various departments.
Dr. Momont and Prosecutor Bazzoli will meet later in the day to work out a
memorandum of understanding. The meeting adjourned.
Motion by Chairperson Egusquiza-Stanek, second by Rose to go into executive
session pursuant to Idaho Code 67-2345(f).
EGUSQUIZA-STANEK - AYE
ROSE - AYE
IRELAND - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session was resumed. No action was taken as result of the executive
session.
Motion by Ireland, second by Rose, to adjourn.
EGUSQUIZA-STANEK - AYE
ROSE - AYE
IRELAND - AYE Motion carried and so ordered
/S/ MARY EGUSQUIZA-STANEK, Chairperson
/S/ ATTEST: /S/ GAIL L. BEST, Clerk
