COMMISSIONERS MINUTES                                      MAY 31, 2005

 

The Elmore County Commissioners met in special session on the above date in the Commissioner’s Room, basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150 South 4^th East, Mountain Home, Idaho.

 

Present at the meeting were Chairman Larry Rose, Commissioners Mary Egusquiza and Connie Cruser.  Also present at the meeting were Clerk Gail Best, John Westra of the Department of Water Resources, Bob Baker - 1230 North 18^th East, Mark Hiddleston - 4850 North 18^th East, and Jim Blanksma - South of Mountain Home.

 

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Mountain Home Ground Water Management Plan - Final Draft.  Commissioner Egusquiza stated she had not realized that Elmore County’s Entity Plan was submitted in February 2002, Commissioner Egusquiza asked if there has been any changes?  Mr. Blanksma stated there have not been any changes.

 

There was discussion as to where we are in the process.  The Board stated it was their impression that the draft which was presented was the final draft.  Mark Hiddleston stated that it actually is only a proposed draft but there has been a real problem with getting people to participate in the process.  Mr. Hiddleston stated that everyone admits the area is headed for a ground water crisis, but people are still reluctant to offer their time to work on the problem.  Mr. Hiddleston said he has been before many groups asking them to participate with no response.

 

How to enforce illegal domestic well uses was discussed.  Bob Baker stated there are things that the City could do, especially in the parks, cemetery and the schools.

 

A two tier system was discussed, an impact fee for new wells and a uniform assessment done across the board.  By using a two tier system it would not just be newly drilled well owners that would be paying an impact fee, but also users with wells that have been previously drilled.  All well owners would be paying the uniform assessment.  The group thought perhaps that would be more equitable for all users.

 

There was discussion on whether a ground water district would be desired or not.

 

Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser to adjourn for lunch.

ROSE - AYE

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

CRUSER        - AYE     Motion carried and so ordered.

 

The meeting reconvened after lunch to work on the Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Ordinance.  Present at the meeting were Chairman Larry Rose and Commissioners Mary Egusquiza and Connie Cruser.  Also present at the meeting were Clerk Gail Best, Terry Ketterling, Dave and Stephanie Bergh, Richard Appleton, Catherine Brown, Woody Wing and K.C. Duerig.

 

Terry Ketterling brought the Board a copy of the Ada County Conditional Use Application papers which includes CAFO’s and all his nutrient management plan which has just been redone.  There was some general discussion regarding Ada County’s Conditional Use Application.  Commissioner Egusquiza asked Mr. Ketterling if he had any written comment to submit and Mr. Ketterling stated he did not.

 

Mr. Ketterling stated that he thought the present Elmore County CAFO Ordinance is just fine as it is.  Mr. Ketterling stated he is worried about the Board making the Ordinance more restrictive.  Chairman Rose explained that the Board was reviewing several ordinances to see if changes were necessary since the ordinance was adopted.  Chairman Rose stated that ordinances are generally a work in progress.  Chairman Rose asked Mr. Ketterling if he had anything further and Mr. Ketterling stated he did not.

 

Catherine Brown submitted her proposed changes to the CAFO Ordinance.  Mrs. Ketterling replaced Mr. Ketterling at the table.  The Clerk made copies and the group went through all the changes and additions with high lighters.  There was discussion, and the Clerk was instructed to make copies on the Extension Office’s color copier prior to the next meeting for all of the parties to review.

 

K.C. Duerig submitted written remarks.  The Clerk was instructed to make color copies of that document as well.  Mr. Wing asked Mr. Duerig why do all this when the State already has plenty of rules?  Mr. Duerig replied that the County must follow all the rules set by the State, however the County can choose to set even stricter rules if they desire to do so.

 

Chairman Rose stated he had some good news for Elmore County.  Dana Gies notified him that she is dropping the lawsuit against Elmore County in the death of her son.  Ms. Gies stated she just wanted to use any proceeds received to see policies and procedures put in place for emergency situations by the Elmore County Sheriff’s Department.

 

Bonnie Sharp, Administrator of the Growth and Development Department appeared before the Board to request a signature on one document that the Board had previously approved, but the signature on one page had been apparently missed.  Ms. Sharp also invited the Board to come to lunch on June 13^th at their department to see the new furnishings in the office.

 

The Financial Advisor for the Jail Bond was discussed.  Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser to appoint Bud Way of Wells Fargo as the Financial Advisor on the Jail Bond.

ROSE - AYE

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

CRUSER        - AYE     Motion carried and so ordered.

 

The Board set the date and times for interviewing candidates for the position of Prosecutor.  The interviews will be conducted at 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. the evening of June 14^th in the Commissioner’s Room.  The Board asked Clerk Best to notify all the local law firms, Judges, City and County Law Enforcement, Public Defender, Phil Miller about the interviews and also to ask Dan Collins to put it on the web site.  The interviews will be held in open meeting.