COMMISSIONERS MINUTES
MAY 2, 2005
The Commissioner’s met in regular session on the above date in the
Commissioner’s Room, basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150 South 4th
East, Mountain Home, Idaho.
Present at the meeting were Chairman Larry Rose, Commissioners Mary Egusquiza
and Connie Cruser. Also present was Clerk Gail Best.
A telephone conference call with Jerry Mason regarding the status of any appeal
on the Rhead Dairy in light of the moratorium on any new dairy permits was the
first item of business. Any appeal on the Rhead Dairy will not be affected by
the moratorium since the permit application was received and in the process of
approval prior to the moratorium being signed by the Board.
Airport zoning and development standards and the airport hazard zone as
described in the Elmore County Zoning and Development Ordinance was reviewed and
discussed.
The Board reviewed Ordinance No. 2003-4 known as the Confined Animal Feeding
Operations (CAFO) Ordinance. The Board will be working on amending the present
ordinance during the next several months. Among some of the items that will be
considered will be closure plans, bonds to ensure proper closure procedures,
buffer zones, setbacks, quarterly reports on animal population, and zones in
which CAFOs are allowed.
Juliet Christian, Research Assistant with the Sierra Institute for Community and
Environment appeared before the Board. Ms. Christian stated that their company
was conducting a survey on how Tier II and Tier III monies are being used by the
counties. Clerk Best stated she had been previously contacted by Ms. Christian
about a listing of how the Tier III funds had been spent since the inception of
Craig Wyden, and she had the list ready to give Ms. Christian. There was
discussion about the Tier II and III percentages and how they can, and do,
change from year to year. Chairman Rose stated that Elmore County has
experienced more benefit from the Tier III funds and very little benefit from
Tier II. There was discussion about the lack of projects that have been
submitted by the various Highway Districts for use of the Tier II funds, while
there was never a lack of beneficial items for use of Tier III funds.
Ms. Christian stated she would send the Board a draft copy of her report when it
was completed. The Board thanked Ms. Christian for coming.
The Board reviewed CAFO ordinances from other counties and copies were made for
each Board member to study prior to their next work session.
Motion by Rose, second by Cruser to adjourn.
ROSE - AYE
EGUSQUIZA - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
/S/ LARRY E. ROSE, Chairman
ATTEST: /S/ GAIL L. BEST
