COMMISSIONERS MINUTES JUNE 19, 2006
The Elmore County Commissioners met in regular session on the above date in the basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150 South 4th East, Mountain Home, Idaho.
Present at the meeting were Commissioners Larry Rose and Connie Cruser. Also present was Clerk Gail Best and Chief Deputy Clerk Merrilee Hiler. Chairperson Mary Egusquiza was absent as she is on vacation in Spain.
Assessor Jo Gridley appeared before the Board for a budget workshop for the Assessor and Revaluation budgets.
Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to approve the minutes of June 12. 2006.
EGUSQUIZA- ABSENT
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER- AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Treasurer Rose Plympton appeared before the Board for a budget workshop for the Treasurer’s budget.
Motion by Cruser, second by Rose, to approve an extension of the contract for Trash Hauling and the Operation and Maintenance of the Glenns Ferry Sanitary Landfill with Mark Simons until September 30, 2007.
EGUSQUIZA- ABSENT
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER- AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Chief of Security Tom Gibbon appeared before the Board for a budget workshop for the Security budget.
Budget workshops were conducted with Clerk Gail Best for Auditor/Recorder, Elections, Indigent, District Court and Court Facility.
Commissioner Rose read a proposed resolution into the record:
RESOLUTION NO. 374-06
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BUDGET OF VARIOUS AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS OF THE ELMORE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE CONTINUING FUNDING AND ADJUST FOR CHANGES IN SPENDING PRIORITIES.
WHEREAS, The Board of Commissioners of Elmore County has the authority and duty under Article XVIII, Section 6 of the Idaho Constitution and Title 31, Chapter 6 of the Idaho Code to provide funding operation of the government of Elmore County for the expenditure of those funds; and
WHEREAS, The Board considered this adjustment to the County budget during its regular public meeting of June 19, 2006, and the need to amend the County budget has been satisfactorily demonstrated to the Board of Commissioners.
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED;
1. That $40,000.00 be shifted from line 197-497-02-130.00 of the Industrial Revenue Fund to line 655-855-00-098.00 of the Emergency Services Building Fund.
2. That $5,000.00 be shifted from line 123-423-02-017.00, $1,000.00 be shifted from line 123-423-02-013.00, $500.00 be shifted from line 123-423-02-017.00, and $1,000.00 be shifted from line 123-423-02-019.00 of the Noxious Weed Fund to line 655-855-00-098.00 of the Emergency Services Building Fund.
3. That $2,500.00 be shifted from line 128-428-02-011.00, $500.00 be shifted from line 128-428-02-013.00, $1,000.00 be shifted from line 128-428-02-018.00, and $1,000.00 be shifted from line 128-428-02-020.00 of the Pest Control Fund to line 655-855-00-098.00 of the Emergency Services Building Fund.
4. That this Resolution shall have effect immediately upon its passage.
PASSED at a regular meeting of the Elmore County Board of Commissioners in the City of Mountain Home, County of Elmore, State of Idaho, held on the 19th day of June, 2006, upon which roll call vote was duly taken and said Resolution duly passed by a unanimous vote.
ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MARY EGUSQUIZA, Chairperson
/S/ LARRY E. ROSE, Commissioner
/S/ CONNIE CRUSER, Commissioner
ATTEST:
/S/ GAIL L. BEST, Clerk
Motion by Rose, second by Cruser to approve the resolution as read.
EGUSQUIZA- ABSENT
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER- AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Bonnie Sharp, Growth and Development Administrator was asked to join the Board to discuss several issues. The first issue discussed was the Ontiveros/Ayala 3 Lot Letter of Information. Ms. Sharp stated that the Mountain Home Rural Fire District has sent a letter to the Commission urging disapproval because of the roadway conditions. Bonnie stated she drove out there and the road condition is terrible. However, the Planning and Zoning Commission said that about twenty families live out there and it would be unfair to have Mr. Ontiveros and Mr. Ayala pay for the entire project. Bonnie stated that Mr. Ontiveros and Mr. Ayala’s property is sort of in the middle, families live above them and families live below them. Bonnie stated that since the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision on the LOI, all the families have gotten together and hired Tom Vallard to make the entire road 60 feet. Mr. Ontiveros and Mr. Ayala have given up thirty feet each free and clear to be donated to the new roadway. Therefore, the problem seems to be resolving itself.
There was discussion on whether or not taxing districts should have to pay for appeals of Planning and Zoning decisions. The general consensus was that taxing districts should not have to pay for appeals made on behalf of the taxing district’s business.
The Area of City Impact was discussed in general. Bonnie stated it is still a work in progress.
Commissioner Rose read two certificates of residency into the record. Motion by Rose, second by Cruser to approve the applications as read: Daniel R. Williams and Lisa Ann Cantrell.
EGUSQUIZA- ABSENT
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER- AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Correspondence received by mail was reviewed. Commissioner Rose read part of a letter from the Idaho Department of Water Resources into the record:
June 6, 2006
County of Elmore
150 S. 4th E. Ste 3
Mountain Home, ID 83647
Dear Sirs:
The Idaho Department of Water Resources (Department) regulates the Idaho Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program under a primary agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency according to IDAPA 37.03.03. This letter is being sent to engineers, architects, and other design professionals practicing in Idaho, as well as to local government representatives involved in drainage planning and design to 1) ensure an overall awareness of UIC Program requirements, 2) inform you of recent changes and responsibilities, and 3) clarify exemptions described in the rules.
By definition, an injection well is “Any excavation or artificial opening into the ground which meets the following three (3) criteria:
a) It is a bored, drilled or dug hole, or is a driven mine shaft or a driven well point; and
b) It is deeper than its largest straight-line surface dimension; and
c) It is used or intended to be used for injection.”
In Idaho, the majority is used for storm water disposal. Storm water injection wells are commonly referred to as “french drains, seepage trenches, infiltration galleries, pre-cast perforated or open-bottom vaults, dry wells, etc.” Systems that are less than or equal to eighteen (18) feet in total excavated depth are classified as “shallow” injection wells and require the submittal of an inventory form and associated fee. You can access the UIC rules, obtain relevant information, and download updated forms from the injections well web page: http://www.idwr.idaho.gov/water/well/Injection/injectionedit.htm.
A public Records Request was discussed. Clerk Best stated she would take care of it.
Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to recess for lunch.
EGUSQUIZA- ABSENT
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER- AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
At 1:30 p.m. the Commissioners met in Executive Session pursuant to I.C. 67-2345(d) on a motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to meet with Social Services Director Marianne Bate and Social Service Secretary Katrina Welch.
EGUSQUIZA- ABSENT
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER- AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Accounts in collections were discussed and the following decision was made:
K-05-06-03 Motion by Cruser, second by Rose, to deny as the applicant has not made an attempt to bring in the required documentation and there is no proof that the applicant is an Elmore County resident.
EGUSQUIZA- ABSENT
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER- AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed.
Jerome Mapp, Brent Bowden, Ashley Ford, Elijah Cardon and Cameron MacDonald representing WRG Design and Cardon Bowden Investments/Cardon Hiatt Companies appeared before the Board to discuss a Planned Community Development. Ms. Ford stated this is a “meet and greet” visit they are working on the concept of a Planned Community that would be located on the Ada/Elmore line. Ms. Ford stated presently they have 1800 acres, 1200 of which are on the Elmore County side. Commissioner Rose asked what about the water for such a large project? Ms. Ford stated they hadn’t gotten that far yet, they are still doing exploratory work. Bonnie Sharp of Growth and Development stated that the County does not have any experience with large planned communities as yet and there are no ordinances in place at the present time. Commissioner Cruser asked how large the planned community would be? Ms. Ford stated they are thinking 5,200 units in all, 4 per acre. There was discussion on how many planned communities were in the Treasure Valley and there are only two at this time. Commissioner Cruser asked about Columbia Village, and Mr. Mapp stated that no, Columbia Village is not one, because it came in phases but that Hidden Springs is one. Mr. Mapp asked if there was anything they could do to help them learn about planned communities and Commissioner Cruser stated some general information would be helpful. Mr. Mapp stated he would send them some websites that they could explore. Commissioner Rose stated that they will need to address water issues, a community building for use in the community and fire protection services. There was more general discussion. Bonnie Sharp asked, as a first step, if a general concept plan could be submitted for study by the County.
Jennifer Shelter, Ditto Creek Ranch LLC, 950 N. Rumsey Lane, Mountain Home appeared before the Board to discuss her Homeowner’s Exemption. Michelle Boothe of the Assessor’s office was present for Ms. Shelter’s appearance before the board. Ms. Shelter explained that originally everything was under her parent’s name at the Ranch until her Father passed away this spring. There are three modular homes on the Ranch, her Mother’s, her Brother’s and hers. She had been working with the Assessor’s office to make sure that all the paperwork was completed to get the proper names on the properties. On April 15th the Homeowner’s Exemption application was due, and somehow her Mother’s and Brother’s application were done, but her own was missed although she was handling everything. Ms. Shelter stated that she kept asking “is everything done now”?. She was given assurance that everything was completed but her own Homeowner’s Exemption was not done after all and she did not know that until May. Deputy Boothe sated that the Assessor had stated that she had no problem with the Board granting the exemption, but that the Assessor’s office could not do that. There was discussion between the Commissioners. Motion by Cruser, second by Rose, to grant the Homeowner’s Exemption to Jennifer Shelter.
EGUSQUIZA- ABSENT
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER- AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Members of the Travel and Tourism Committee of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce appeared before the Board to discuss funding for the Desert Mountain Visitor’s Center. Representing the Committee were Brett Casey Co-Chair of the Committee, Sue Gross of Economic Development, and Debbie Shoemaker and Nancy Marshall of the Chamber. Mr. Casey read their request into the record:
June 19, 2006
Dear Elmore County Commissioners,
On behalf of the Desert Mountain Visitor Center and the Travel and Tourism Committee, we are requesting continued financial support to assist with center operations. With partnerships from the County, City and the Mountain Home Chamber, we hope to keep the visitor center doors open.
The past several years have seen a steady decline in visitors and revenues at the Center. A number of factors contributed to the declines and we are working diligently to rectify those within our control, such as management and inventory. Other factors, including high gas prices and the closure of Kmart, are market components which none of us could foresee or prevent. The part time staff and janitorial had to be deleted as there were no funds to pay for these services. There is a need to hire a part-time person as soon as possible.
Tourism does continue to grow as more and more visitors seek the outstanding recreation we have in Idaho and our center serves a very useful purpose for Elmore County. Our businesses in all Elmore County communities are seeing the effects year-round as the word spreads about our tremendous snowmobile trails in the winter and our many other recreation opportunities.
You placed $5,000.00 in your budget this past year. We hope you plan to continue your support and financial assistance for the Desert Mountain Visitor Center.
Respectfully, Brett Casey and Denise Barresi
Co-Chairpersons, Travel and Tourism Committee
Ms. Marshall explained how much the money given to the Center last year helped them replenish the stock of gift items they sell. Ms. Marshall stated the County was instrumental in keeping the Center in operation this year and she expressed sincere thanks for the cooperation. The Board stated they would take the Committee’s request under advisement as part of their budget process.
Sheriff Rick Layher and Chief Deputy Nick Schilz appeared before the Board to discuss the hiring of two new sergeants for the jail. Sheriff Layher stated they are losing Sergeant Jim Durham, and instead of just replacing him they wondered if they could go ahead and hire two, because of the new jail coming on line. Sheriff Layher stated it would allow a lot more training if they could train two at once. The Board advised Sheriff Layher that they would not have a problem with it, if they could find the funds in their budget.
Budgeting issues were discussed with the Sheriff in general. Sheriff Layher stated he thought a good estimate of revenue for the jail would be $563,000. The revenue and the expenditure side of the budget will be taken up with Rocky Mountain Corrections soon.
Chief Deputy Schilz gave the Board a brief update on the roads to Atlanta and how that is progressing.
Roger Wisdom, 110 N.W. Wilcox Drive, Mountain Home, appeared before the Board during the public portion of the meeting. Mr. Wisdom stated he had a dog complaint. Mr. Wisdom stated that his wife was outside their home on the patio when his neighbor’s Boxer came over and showed aggressive behavior toward his wife. He managed to get his wife into the house but the dog continued to stay on his property, despite his attempts to yell at it to go home. Mr. Wisdom stated the next time they opened the door the dog immediately came up on their porch. Mr. Wisdom told his wife to call 911 and the dispatcher stated a deputy would come out. Mr. Wisdom stated that a deputy never did show up and he wanted to make a complaint. Mr. Wisdom stated he had just spoken to Sheriff Layher in the hallway and told him he wanted a record of his complaint, because this is not the first incident with that dog, and if he has to shoot the dog, he wanted a record of his complaint on file someplace. Mr. Wisdom stated that Sheriff Layher stated he would investigate the complaint. Commissioner Rose stated that, with Mr. Wisdom coming before the Board, there would be a record of the complaint, both in the minutes and on tape. Mr. Wisdom stated he realized there was nothing the Board could directly do for him, but felt he needed to take some action, because he and his wife should be able to go out into their own yard without worrying about this dog. Mr. Wisdom thanked the Board for their time.
Motion by Cruser, second by rose, to adjourn.
EGUSQUIZA- ABSENT
ROSE - AYE
CRUSER- AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
/S/ MARY EGUSQUIZA, Chairperson
ATTEST: /S/ GAIL L. BEST, Clerk
