COMMISSIONERS MINUTES                                February 2, 2009

COMMISSIONERS MINUTES FEBRUARY 23, 2009

The Commissioners 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 Connie Cruser and Arlie Shaw. Also present was Deputy Clerk Barbara Steele.

Alan and Adam Crane, Snake River Rubbish appeared to discuss their bills for hauling garbage to Mountain Home. The Commissioners instructed the Crane brothers to submit the extra cost of hauling garbage to the Bennett Road Landfill this week for review, and discussion will follow on different options if any. The fuel surcharge was discussed.

Marty Jones, Central District Health, appeared before the Board for his monthly report. The garbage collection site in Glenns Ferry is working well and changing the site to a transfer station and the expense that would incur was briefly discussed. Mr. Jones reported he had received an application for a proposed subdivision in the Little Camas area.

The Department Heads met for their monthly meeting.

Alan Baumgardner, Veteran’s Service Officer, appeared and gave the Commissioners a written report of the activities in his office. Mr. Baumgardner reported on one of his cases regarding nursing home costs. Medicare only pays the first 100 days of nursing home costs and when Medicare stops, Tricare for Life stops also.

Dan Collins, Plant Facilities, appeared before the Board. Mr. Collins stated he was getting bids to thin the trees in the front of the Courthouse, and is also working on getting prices for a new boiler for the Courthouse. The Commissioners asked Mr. Collins on the maintenance at the Jail and Mr. Collins reported he had a work order on his desk to add cable television to different offices at the Jail. Running cable lines to the specific offices will be challenging and time consuming. Cleaning at the Jail and the Courthouse was discussed. The need for another maintenance person at the Jail was discussed. Mr. Collins will coordinate with Jail Capt. McCallum at the Jail regarding work orders.

Monica Halliday, Juvenile Probation, appeared and reported to the Commissioners that the Stimulus Package that was just passed by the Federal Government does include money for Juvenile Departments in the form of grants. Ms. Halliday reported on grant applications her office has been working on. The Juvenile Probation on-staff counselor has vacated the position. Ms. Halliday and the Judge will be interviewing to fill the position.

Shea Burns, Fair Manager, appeared before the Board and the rent on the cell tower was discussed. Chairman Rose stated he has forwarded the contract to Prosecutor Schindele. Ms. Burns stated the computer in the Fair office is having problems. Ms. Burns asked if the memo regarding the limit on expenditures affected the Fair Budget. The Board stated the Fair still has to get authorization from the Commissioners for any expenditure over $500.00.

Mir Seydbagheri, Extension Agent, appeared and gave the Commissioners a written report of the activities in his office which included working with Idaho Power to organize an irrigation workshop in Glenns Ferry, giving several presentations on various issues and attending different working groups, committees and agency meetings.

Jennifer Crogg, Adult Probation, appeared before the Commissioners and gave her monthly report. Ms. Crogg stated they currently have 230 people on probation. Probation fees collected were discussed in reference to covering the cost of running the Department.

The plans for an Emergency Services Building in Glenns Ferry were briefly discussed. The notice for inviting bids needs to be prepared and taken to the Mountain Home News.

Bonnie Sharp, Growth and Development Director, appeared and the Planner Agreement was briefly discussed. Ms. Sharp stated she had received 8 applications for the Growth and Development Director position. The Commissioners asked for copies to review. Four preliminary plats and conditional use permits have been revoked. Sterling Sage, Aurora, Sky Ridge and Mallard Creek.

Motion by Cruser, second by Shaw, to approve the Letter of Information, four lot split, for Robert Whittekiend and George and Carol Gabbard.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to recess for lunch
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - 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) to meet with Social Services Director Marianne Bate on a motion by Rose second by Shaw.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

K-06-08-01 Motion by Cruser, second by Shaw to deny as applicant is a resident of Bingham County.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

K-12-08-02 Motion by Rose, second by Shaw to approve with a reimbursement order of $50.00 and ½ of income tax refunds to be paid to the County.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.


K-01-09-02 Motion by Rose, second by Cruser to deny as the County may not be the last resource and more information is needed.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Still in Executive Session a hearing was held on K-10-08-14. Present at the hearing were the three Commissioners, Social Services Director Marianne Bate, Clerk Marsa Grimmett, Mark Peterson and Ann Kaley representing St. Lukes Regional Medical Center and Joann Tellez, translator and interpreter for the deceased applicant. Ms. Bate briefly reviewed the case. Ms. Tellez was asked questions regarding the applicant. The hearing was closed and a decision will be made once the Prosecutor has reviewed the case.

Regular session resumed.

Motion by Cruser, second by Shaw, to approve the minutes of February 17, 2009.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to approve the expenses in the amount of $121,395.15.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Chairman Rose read the tax cancellations into the record: No. 968 Armando Ceballos $184.86 and No. 985 Southwestern Idaho Co-op $17,873.02. Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to approve the tax cancellations in the total amount of $18,057.88.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion by Rose, second by Shaw, to approve the Ambulance District Expenses in the amount of $1,347.24, Idaho Power $147.24, Katherine Baldwin $600.00 and Alexandria Baldwin $600.00.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion by Cruser, second by Rose, to appoint Terry Arrizabalaga to the Fair Board for a four year term.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion by Rose, second by Shaw, to recess as a Board of County Commissioners and to convene as a Board of Equalization.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Discussion followed on an application for Property Tax Exemption from Antonio Vazquez stating the dwelling is used for religious purposes. The property is not owned by the church therefore does not qualify for the exemption. Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to deny the application for property tax exemption from Antonio Vazquez.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to recess as a Board of Equalization and resume as a Board of Commissioners.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion by Rose, second by Cruser, to sign the Planner Agreement between Bruce Wall and Elmore County.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

The Elected Officials met for their regular monthly meeting.

Present were Treasurer Rose Plympton, Assessor Jo Gridley, Clerk Marsa Grimmett, and Prosecutor Kristina Schindele.

The assessed value of property in Elmore County is holding steady and will not be dropping. Tax deeds were discussed and there may be more than usual in April.

Sheriff Rick Layher joined the meeting.

Commissioner Cruser stated the Prosecutor is working on the internet policy for the Elmore County personnel policy. Commissioner Cruser would also like to add employee drug testing to the policy. Workmen’s Comp is reduced by 5% when companies drug test new employees, when an accident happens or for cause.

Commissioner Cruser suggested a town hall meeting for the first part of April. The tentative date was set for April 6, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the American Legion Hall. Clerk Grimmett will check on the availability of the Hall and the Elected Officials will check their schedules.

Ideas on how to save money were discussed. A possible contest involving employee input was suggested by Commissioner Cruser. Clerk Grimmett will prepare a document with the information for the employees.

General discussion followed. Sheriff Layher reported on the plane that crashed in Elmore County last week. Commissioner Cruser stated a diesel fuel tank will be placed up in the Pine/Featherville area for Elmore County vehicles. County equipment was discussed in reference to insurance coverage. Sheriff Layher asked for an inventory list for his Department.

Motion by Cruser, second by Shaw to approve the purchase of a color printer for the Prosecutors Office.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion by Rose, second by Shaw to sign the Memorandum of Agreement to support the Community Incentive Program (CIP), the Re-Entry Program (REP) and/or The Mental Health Program (MHP) by and between the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections and Elmore County.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Motion by Shaw, second by Rose, to donate $600.00 the Optimist Rodeo Park for livestock pen repairs.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

Clerk Grimmett reported that the State might de-certify the current ballot counting machine used by the County. To purchase another machine will be approximately $50,000.00. The cost to Elmore County would be $10,000.00 with the State paying $40,000.00. The issue will be discussed during budget time.

Prosecutor Schindele reported she would be talking to the attorney handling the Jay Brown lawsuit and will have more information next week. The Civil Attorney position was briefly discussed.

Motion by Shaw, second by Rose to adjourn.
ROSE - AYE
SHAW - AYE
CRUSER - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.

/S/ LARRY E. ROSE, Chairman
ATTEST: /S/ MARSA GRIMMETT, Clerk