COMMISSIONERS
MINUTES APRIL
26, 2010
The Commissioners met in regular session on the above date at 9:00 a.m. in the
Commissioners room, basement of the Elmore County Courthouse, 150 South 4th
East, Mountain Home, Idaho.
Present at the meeting were Chairperson Connie Cruser and Commissioner Arlie
Shaw. Commissioner Larry Rose and Civil Attorney Buzz Grant were both absent do
to illness. Also present was Clerk Marsa Plummer and Prosecutor Kristina
Schindele.
Elected Officials, Department Heads and Supervisors were present. Chairperson
Cruser began the meeting with a video, and then asked for comments. Chairman
Cruser informed the group that the Commissioners would like to work on a
strategic plan. She asked those present what they felt were some of the county’s
biggest problems. The first answer was communication. Various ideas were given
on how we can all communicate better. Traci Lefever, E-911 Coordinator, asked
why the majority of the members of the employee committee were Elected Officials
or Supervisors. Teri Lasuen, Chief Deputy, Treasurer’s Office, explained there
have not been any issues to bring to the employee committee and therefore the
committee has not met for quite some time. Chairperson Cruser suggested perhaps
a new employee committee should be formed with employees, not Supervisors. More
information on the website or a newsletter might be a way to get County
information out to the employees. It was also suggested that the County
officials write a mission statement and agree on some long term goals. The
Commissioners will investigate having communication classes for the employees.
Terry Ratliff, Contract Public Defender, came before the Board to discuss the
caseload in his office. Pending cases and current cases were discussed. The
public defender budget is looking stable at this point.
The Board asked the Prosecutor how the community service program works.
Prosecutor Schindele explained the only fee the County collects is for workman’s
compensation, whether it is a felony or misdemeanor case. Electronic monitoring
was discussed regarding the cost and reimbursement.
Alan Christy, Growth and Development Director, and Bob Winterfeld, Building
Official, came before the Board to discuss how negotiations are proceeding on
the Sagebrush Shufflers building. An engineering design to fix the building is
still being required.
Stephany Church, U.S. Forest Service District Ranger, Region 4, came before the
Board. The damaged boat docks at Deer Creek on Anderson Ranch Reservoir are
going to be removed and will not be replaced. Ms. Church relayed that because of
budget cuts, long term maintenance of facilities are going to be examined. The
Board asked Ms. Church if she could see if there was a piece of land that the
County could construct a building to house a substation for the Sheriff’s
Department and cover for an ambulance. She stated that might be possible through
a special use permit. A rock formation in the middle of Arrowrock Reservoir was
discovered last summer and will be marked with a buoy. The Forest Service is
concerned that there may be other formations and she will keep the Board updated
on their findings. Dog Mountain radio facility was discussed. A temporary fire
repeater is on the mountain and the County has permission to put equipment
there. The repeater for Dog Mountain will continue to be pursued.
Motion by Cruser, second by Shaw, to meet in Executive Session pursuant to I.C.
67-2345(f) to meet with counsel regarding litigation issues. Roll call vote was
taken.
CRUSER -AYE
ROSE - ABSENT
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed. No decisions were made. Direction was given regarding
further negotiations.
Motion by Cruser, second by Shaw, to meet in Executive Session pursuant to I.C.
67-2345(d) to meet with Clerk Marsa Plummer on an indigent case. Roll call vote
was taken.
CRUSER -AYE
ROSE - ABSENT
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed. The reconsideration hearing on K-10-09-04 was continued
to May 24th at 2:00 p.m.
Motion by Shaw, second by Cruser, to recess for lunch.
CRUSER - AYE
ROSE - ABSENT
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Terrill Howard, Blue Cross Representative, came before the Board with a price
comparison from Blue Cross on a $3000 and a $4000 deductible. There is a savings
on the premium, but employee reimbursement could cost more. The Board will
review their options in upcoming meetings and let Mr. Howard know once they make
a decision.
Motion by Cruser, second by Shaw, to meet in Executive Session pursuant to I.C.
67-2345(d) to meet with Deputy Clerk Misty Sommer, Social Services Department,
regarding indigent cases. Roll call vote was taken.
CRUSER -AYE
ROSE - ABSENT
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
K-03-10-07 Motion by Shaw, second by Cruser, to deny as applicant is not
indigent and application is not complete.
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - ABSENT
ROSE - AYE Motion carried and so ordered
K-03-10-09 Motion by Shaw, second by Cruser, to deny as applicant is not
indigent and application is not complete.
CRUSER - AYE
SHAW - ABSENT
ROSE - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Kathy Makin, Atlanta Resident, came before the Board to ask for a contribution
to the Atlanta Quick Response Unit. Approximately eleven people from the Atlanta
area have stated they will be volunteers. The volunteer Quick Response Unit has
not been active for the last two years. The ambulance is in need of some
mechanical repairs, but the tires seem to be satisfactory. Ms. Makin has
reviewed the current regulations for ambulances, knows the volunteers will need
training, and the inventory in the ambulance will have to be updated.
Commissioner Cruser stated that the other county quick response units have been
paying for their own training. Having the County help out with the cost of some
supplies was discussed. Radios were discussed and Ms. Makin stated they have
enough. In order for Elmore County to cover the vehicle insurance on the
ambulance, it will need to be titled under Elmore County.
The Elected Officials met for their regular monthly meeting. Assessor Jo
Gridley, Treasurer Rose Plympton, Chief Deputy Sheriff Nick Schilz, Clerk Marsa
Plummer and Prosecutor Kristina Schindele were present. Commissioner Cruser
informed the Elected Officials that a representative of the State Attorney
General’s Office is going to do a presentation on Public Records and Open
Meetings Law on May 27th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The prescription drug day
collection was discussed. Assessor Gridley reported her findings on solid waste
fee in other counties. Elmore County seems to be about the same as the other
counties she checked with. Assessor Jo Gridley also stated they are almost ready
to start accepting credit cards. Other offices who would like this service will
gradually be added on. A resolution to destroy records and saving money on the
purchase of office supplies was discussed. Chief Deputy Nick Schilz reported on
the number of inmates currently being held at the jail. Margaret Kemp, from
Occupational Health, met with Chief Deputy Schilz and will help their department
with medical issues. Prosecutor Kristina Schindele stated that she will have a
draft of the proposed personnel policy to the Elected Officials in approximately
a week for review. Prosecutor Schindele also stated that the Department of Motor
Vehicles employee charged with theft pled guilty on Friday. General discussion
followed on sentencing and restitution. Chairperson Cruser stated the County
phone number listing in the phone book needs to be updated. Discussion followed
on the Elected Officials, Department Heads, and Supervisors meeting held earlier
in the day and the proposed 2011 budget.
A special session was scheduled for May 4th at 1:00 p.m. to hold a budget
meeting with the Elected Officials.
Alan Christy, Growth and Development Director, came before the Board with the
County Surveyor Agreement. The Agreement was a previous agenda item.
Motion by Cruser, second by Shaw, to meet in Executive Session pursuant to I.C.
67-2345(d and f) to discuss personnel and litigation issues.
CRUSER -AYE
ROSE - ABSENT
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Regular session resumed. No action was taken as result of the Executive Session.
Motion by Cruser, second by Shaw, to approve the minutes for April 19, 2010.
CRUSER - AYE
ROSE - ABSENT
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion by Shaw, second by Cruser, to approve the expenses in the amount of
$131,757.78.
CRUSER - AYE
ROSE - ABSENT
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion by Shaw, second by Cruser, to approve a tax cancellation, No. 1045,
Ronald & Monica Aschenbrenner & Joyce Cooper in the amount of $818.26.
CRUSER - AYE
ROSE - ABSENT
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion by Shaw, second by Cruser, to approve a Certificate of Residency for
Jennifer Danae Noland.
CRUSER - AYE
ROSE - ABSENT
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
Motion by Shaw, second by Cruser, to adjourn at 5:44 p.m.
CRUSER - AYE
ROSE - ABSENT
SHAW - AYE Motion carried and so ordered.
/S/ CONNIE CRUSER, Chairperson
ATTEST: /S/ MARSA PLUMMER, Clerk
