Commissioner's Minutes 11-21-05

COMMISSIONERS MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2005

The Elmore County Commissioners met in regular session on the above date in the basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150 South 4^th East, Mountain Home, Idaho 83647.

Present at the meeting were Chairman Larry Rose and Commissioners Mary Egusquiza and Connie Cruser. Also present was Clerk Gail Best.

Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to approve the minutes for October 18^th. There was discussion and the minutes were approved with minor changes.

ROSE - AYE

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion by Egusquiza, second by Rose, to approve the minutes for November 7^th. There was discussion and the minutes were approved with minor changes.

ROSE - AYE

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Weed/Extrication /Search & Rescue Building was discussed. Commissioner Egusquiza asked whether the Board should add a Provider’s Conference? Following discussion, it was decided a conference was not a necessity. A public works license being required was also discussed. Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to approve the RFP for construction of a Joint Emergency Services/Extension Services Building.

ROSE - AYE

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

A call was placed to Vivian Garcia, Deputy Clerk, to take the RFP to the Mountain Home News immediately for the first publication.

Ammon Hansen of the Idaho State Police appeared before the Board. Motion by Rose, second by Egusquiza, to go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 67-2345(f).

ROSE - AYE

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Regular session resumed. No action was taken as result of the executive session.

Kathleen Allyn, Director of Region IV Health and Welfare appeared before the Board to introduce herself to the Board as the new Director. Ms. Allyn stated that Elmore County has received $14.2 million in the combined services provided by Health and Welfare in the years 2003-2005, so the Department has provided substantial revenue to the County, most of which has been in the form of food stamps and payments to providers. The Medicare Prescription Program was discussed and Ms. Allyn stated if the County would be willing to provide information to citizens it would be helpful.

Jody Soboslai and Stephanie Kazyaka appeared before the Board to ask for funds for the annual Elmore County Employees Christmas Party. Ms. Soboslai stated the party will be held at the American Legion on December 10^th. The menu will include roast beef and ham provided by the Legion. It has been the policy of the County to pay the cost for employees and employees pay for their guests at the party. There was general discussion regarding entertainment, door prizes and gifts. Motion by Rose, second by Egusquiza, to allow $2,500.00 for the Employee Christmas Party.

ROSE - AYE

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

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

ROSE - AYE

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

The Board reconvened after lunch with all three members of the Board present and Clerk Best.

Merrilee Hiler, Deputy Auditor, appeared before the Board with several financial reports to discuss with the Board. The first report Ms. Hiler wanted to discuss was the Juvenile Financial Annual Report. Merrilee stated that there is a new format this year that requires the Commissioners and the Judge to review the annual report prior to submission. The Board reviewed the report. Merrilee stated that the Juvenile Department is doing a really good job with keeping up with the reporting and financial tracking.

Merrilee informed the Board that at first the Jail Bond proceeds were in the County Bond Fund. Merrilee stated that when the outside auditor was here this fall he suggested that the funds be moved to the Capital Improvement Fund for better tracking. Merrilee showed the Board how to coordinate the Revenue, Expenditure and Trial Balance reports so they could get a full picture of the financial status of each fund. Merrilee also noted that the Solid Waste Fund only has $10,295.75 in cash, which is a very low balance for that particular fund. The fund will probably overdraw this month but will recover with the tax collection coming in.

The financial picture in general was discussed and ways to curb spending. The Board asked the Clerk to do a letter notifying officials that expenditures over $3,000.00, unless a routine expense, must be pre-approved by the Board. The Board also requested a resolution be done to that effect so that the pre-approval would be a continuing procedure.

Danette Arbuckle brought in a letter to the Board. Motion by Rose, second by Egusquiza, to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 67-2345(b).

ROSE - AYE

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Regular session was resumed. No action was taken as result of the executive session.

Correspondence was received by mail was reviewed.

There was discussion regarding money Extrication received from Craig Wyden Title II funds. The Board asked Merrilee Hiler to research how much was disbursed.

Prosecutor Schindele joined the meeting.

The appeal on Rick Taylor’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP) was discussed with the Prosecutor. The Board questioned how the status might be changed by the additional written testimony received, which indicated a compromise had been reached in the matter. Prosecutor Schindele stated that Mr. Taylor’s CUP referenced a specific piece of property, and to move the project to another piece of property would necessitate a new CUP. Prosecutor Schindele stated Mr. Taylor should make a new application and then the Board should suspend the appeal that was entered based upon a new application coming in.

The Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for Reyes Lopez was reviewed by the Board. The public hearing was held on August 24, 2005, the property in question is Government Lot 2, South of the Interstate and North of Kings Road, Section 30, Township 5 South, Range 10 East, B.M. Motion by Rose, second by Egusquiza, to approve the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law denying the Reyes Lopez application for zoning classification amendment agricultural B to commercial.

ROSE - AYE

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

The Martinez bankruptcy was discussed with the Prosecutor. The Prosecutor informed the Board that she has not been provided any additional information by the trustee. Motion by Egusquiza, second by Cruser, to deny the request for funds from the trustee of the Martinez bankruptcy, Lois K. Murphy, since no additional information has been provided to the County.

ROSE - AYE

EGUSQUIZA - AYE

CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

The proposed annexation of property into the Mountain Home Rural Fire District material was reviewed by the Board. Motion by Cruser, second by Egusquiza, to approve the annexation of the Albers Living Trust Property described as Southwest Quarter, Section 32, T4S, R6E, Boise, Meridian, Elmore County, ID SAVE AND EXCEPT: (Well Lot) A portion of the Southwest Quarter more particularly described as follows: commencing at the Southwest corner of Section 32, T4S, R6E; thence East along the South boundary line 1,364 feet more or less to existing main line to the Point of Beginning; thence North 170 feet; thence West 70 feet; thence South 170 feet more or less to a point on the South boundary line; thence East 70 feet to the Point of Beginning. The Clerk was asked to prepare an order for the next meeting pursuant to Idaho Code 31-1411.

The fuel contract was reviewed and the request for proposals (RFP) from the last time fuel was put out to bid. The Clerk was asked to re-do the RFP for fuel.

The City area of impact was discussed. Commissioner Egusquiza stated that the City has not provided the legal description of the area since the last boundary changes were made. The Board placed a call to City Clerk, Nina Patterson, to check on the status of the legal description. The item was tabled until a subsequent meeting.

There was discussion on the trash hauling and Glenns Ferry landfill operations. The Clerk will do an amendment to the contracts extending them both to the end of fiscal year 2006.