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Cassia
County Minutes 02-23-09 |
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COMMISSIONER MINUTES
#582 February 23, 2009 |
| The Cassia County Board of
Commissioners met this day with Chairman
Dennis Crane, Paul Christensen and Clay D. Handy,
Board Members; Alfred E. Barrus, Prosecuting Attorney; Larry
Mickelsen, Clerk of the Board, and Kerry D. McMurray,
County Administrator, present. |
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PREVIOUS WEEK’S MINUTES
The Minutes for February 9 and February 12, 2009 were
discussed. A motion was made and seconded to approve and proceed
with publication of an appropriate synopsis. Roll call vote was
unanimous by the Board.
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CALENDAR
The Board reviewed the calendar for February and March
2009. |
CORRESPONDENCE
The Board reviewed the following:
1.
A booklet from NACo Re: National County Government Week,
May 3-9, 2009
2.
Legislative Tax Bulletin Report No. 5 from Associated Taxpayers of
Idaho
3.
Legislative Bulletin from IAC of
February 13, 2009
4.
A letter from former NACo President Bill Hansell Re:
DefendDonStapley.com
5.
A public notice Re: Pacific Northwest February 2009 Public Information
Meetings
6. Applications from the
Forest Service RAC Committee. Chairman Crane will attend
the RAC meeting on Friday, 27 February, 2009 to be held at
the US Forest Service District Office in
Twin Falls. |
COUNTY
INSURANCE
Kelly Bowen met with the Board to get amendments signed
for new doctor payment rates. After review it was moved and seconded
to sign an amendment for adding Providers to be paid at the PPO
rate, an amendment for Vision Benefits through Burley
Eye
Care Center
and a Schedule of Excess Loss Insurance Schedule for MBA Benefits
Administrators, Inc., and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.
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VETERAN’S AFFAIRS-FUNDING MATTER
Daryl McCall and Larry Cottom of the Mini-Cassia Vets met
with the Board discuss the activities of the Veteran’s
organizations. They expressed gratitude to the county for all that
has been done to assist them with donations and assisted their
purchase of a van for taking veterans to VA facilities. They
requested assistance to conduct activities at the
County
Fairgrounds during the
July-August time frame that would benefit citizens of the community.
The organization has 503(c)(3) status. The Commissioners took the
matter under advisement to determine if the type of assistance
requested can be provided by the County. |
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:31am it was proposed by Commissioner
Handy and seconded by Commissioner Christensen that the Board
convene in Executive Session under Idaho Code Section 67-2345(1)(d)
with Commissioner Christensen voting yea, Commissioner Crane voting
yea, and Commissioner Handy voting yea. The purpose and general
tenor of the meeting was to discuss medical indigent matters.
Following the discussion, the Board returned to regular session at
10:00am.
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| Following Executive Session the Board
Denied Cases # 2009018, 2009004, 2009016, 2009020, 2009000, 2009005,
2009011, 2009010, and 2009006; Signed
Findings of Fact for Case # 208118; Signed Release of Lien for Cases
# 204075, 208140, 208143 and 208144; Signed Notice of Lien for Cases
# 2009019, 2009020, and 2009021; Signed Stipulations for Cases #
208137, 208127, and 208106; Approved Case # 206113 to keep $1,500 of
their income tax return; Approved Case # 207158 to pay $2,000 of
their tax return to the County, Took Case # 208089 under advisement
and will allow them to keep $1,000 of their income tax return;
Presented Cases # 2009003, 2009013, and 2009001; Assigned Case #
99004 for collections; Approved Cases # 2009013, and 2009001 ;
Signed Order of Reimbursement for Cases # 2009013 and 2009001. |
| DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING |
| Detention
Center:
Rob Neiwert introduced Russ Rasmussen as the new Deputy
Director. He has a total of 160 inmates with 50 from Minidoka
County, 73 from Cassia County, 30 from the State and 7 for the US
Marshal. He has been in contact with ICE for providing
transportation for their undocumented worker inmates. The Fire
Department and Dietician inspected the facilities this past month
and there were no problems. He reported on the check that was
modified by the released inmate. He discussed the purchase a check
writing printer that would prevent these problems in the future. He
is going to discuss previous employees with the Jail Committee and
explain why they resigned, perhaps because of the low wages they
received. Holding state prisoners in and out of state was discussed. |
| Sheriff’ Department:
Sheriff Randy Kidd reported they are fully staffed and have 2 at
POST. Fingerprint machine is broken down and they received grant
money from Homeland Security to purchase a new one. Reported on the
status of security enhancements for the Sheriff’s Office. He was
pleased with the City/County Law Enforcement meeting this morning.
The Board reviewed all of the requests for pay increases and
discussed them with the Sheriff. The clothing allowance issue was
discussed and it will remain in the budget, but it is taxable
income. |
| Janitorial/Maintenance: Sharon Higgins
reported on Fire Inspection results. No problems with the exception
of some unauthorized extension cords. |
| Weed Department: Gordon Edwards invited the
Board to a 4-H dinner on Tuesday evening. Concerns were expressed
regarding the “Stimulation Monies” and the programs that it would
impact. Discussed issues that will impact the State from boats that
have become contaminated with weeds from lakes/rivers in other
States. |
| County
Administrator: Kerry McMurray
reported that mapping and GIS are ongoing. There is a public hearing
for the P&Z this Thursday. It is for potential amendments to the
subdivision and zoning ordinances. |
Clerk: Larry Mickelsen reported that the
staff is busy as usual and asked the Department Heads to begin
preparing for the upcoming budget season.
Prosecuting Attorney:
Al Barrus reported that they are very busy. The arrests and jail
numbers are increasing. They are dealing with many problems, but are
getting some cases finalized, that have been around for a long time. |
CHANGE OF STATUS
The
Board reviewed 10 changes of status forms, 9 from the Sheriff’s
Office and 1 from the MCCJC. It was moved and seconded to approve
the changes of status and roll call vote was unanimous by the Board. |
PRIVATE ORGANIZATION ISSUES
The Board discussed issues concerning the private
organizations in the county that appeal to the Board for financial
and different types of County assistance. There has been some
discussion with Prosecuting Attorneys in the State to determine the
proper policy for the requests. Law Enforcement coverage and legal
authority for all events in the community will have to be determined
and an enforceable policy developed. |
INTERMODEL AUTHORITY
Commissioner Handy discussed the Intermodel authority and
difficulties businesses are having in trying to invite businesses to
come into the Mini-Cassia area. He requested that the Intermodel
Committee review the applications and resolve the issues that will
arise. A proposal to have a Committee Chairman that is very involved
with the inquiries and to make monthly reports to both Boards of
Commissioners is being considered. |
AUDIT ISSUES
The Board requested that the account balances be
presented to them prior to beginning the budget process. |
BLM
Mike Courtney representing the BLM discussed the Economic
Stimulus requests they receive. He indicated that a project at the
Milner area is a very viable option, where public comment can help
to develop a plan. He discussed forming a partnership with the
County to move forward with planning and development of the plans
that will be developed. He reported that the Windland project at
Cottrell is being transferred to Shell Oil. He reported that there
will be 5 wells drilled in the
Raft
River area by Agua
Caliente. US Geothermal is working in partnership with them. The
wells will be drilled to about 7000 feet. |
USFS
Scott Nannenga reported that the USFS received $1.1 billion
nationwide of the Economic Stimulus monies. He does not know if
there will be any money allocated for this area. The projects they
have scheduled will be put on hold until money determination is
made. Any revenue they receive will be used for creating jobs. The
USFS has received a request for wind testing on Cottonwood Ridge. He
discussed the Howell
Canyon and North East
Cassia Hazardous Fuels Reduction Projects. |
US FISH & GAME
Jerome Hansen and Wayne Wright met with the Board to discuss a
US Fish & Game Revenue Enhancement Fee. They presented a handout
that explained the reasons for their request for a 15% fee increase.
Jerome explained the economic benefit to Cassia County for hunting
and fishing. Wayne explained that their funds are almost exhausted
and they do not receive any general fund monies. Their revenue is
from license and tag fees and a federal match. They are requesting
the support of the Cassia County Commissioners for the fee increase.
It was moved and seconded to fully support the fee increase and roll
call vote was unanimous by the Board. |
LUNCH
At 12:15pm the Board departed for lunch at Stevo’s Restaurant,
and Kerry McMurray,
County
Administrator presented
his report on the response letter to Acme Dairy during their working luncheon. The Board also discussed the current
members of the Snowmobile Committee and concerns they have.
Commissioner Handy will attend the next meeting and resolve the
issues that exist. |
ORDINANCE 2009-02-01
The issue was tabled until
March 2, 2009 |
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
At 1:39pm it was proposed and seconded to convene as the County
Board
of Equalization. Roll call vote was unanimous by the Board.
It
was proposed and seconded to delete the Home Owners exemptions on
the following parcels: (See attached list). Roll call vote was
unanimous by the Board. Notices will be sent to the property owners.
Following the discussion, the Board returned to regular session at
1:40pm.
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LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX
The Board reviewed and gave considered executing a letter
of support for local option sales taxes. A letter of support Re:
Idaho Local Option Tax Authorization 2009 was prepared. It was moved
and seconded to sign and execute the letter of support and roll call
vote was unanimous by the Board. |
HOWELL CANYON REPORT
The Board reviewed the
Burley
Highway
District
Howell Canyon
report dated
January 31, 2009. |
COUNTY
EXPENDITURE
The Board reviewed the County’s Payables Approval Report
dated 2-23-2009. A motion was made and
seconded to approve the report and roll call vote was unanimous by
the Board. |
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CURRENT EXPENSES
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104
|
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$19,406.40
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INDIGENT FUND
|
105
|
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$15,547.73
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DISTRICT COURT FUND
|
106
|
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$5,079.83
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COUNTY ROADS &
BRIDGES FUND
|
107
|
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$2,370.69
|
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WEED & PEST FUND
|
108
|
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$4.86
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REVALUATION FUND
|
114
|
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$147.42
|
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911 COMMUNICATIONS
FUND
|
115
|
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$289.05
|
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COUNTY SNOWMOBILE
FUND
|
118
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$650.00
|
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ASSESSOR TRUST FUND
|
123
|
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$70.00
|
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JUSTICE FUND
|
130
|
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$23,693.23
|
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MINI-CASSIA DRUG
ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE
|
136
|
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$346.65
|
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PHYSICAL FACILITIES
FUND
|
144
|
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$1,465.88
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ADULT MISDEMEANOR
PROBATION
|
149
|
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$5,734.65
|
|
|
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TOTAL
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$74,806.39
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RECESS
Meeting was recessed until
9:00 a.m.,
Monday, March 2, 2009. |
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE AT TODAY’S MEETING
Margi Owens, Weekly
News Journal; |
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| ATTEST: |
APPROVED: |
| /s/Larry A. Mickelsen |
/s/Dennis D. Crane |
|
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| Larry A. Mickelsen, Clerk |
Dennis Crane, Chairman |
