This report is adapted from the official minutes, recorded by Shanci Dorius.

The regular meeting was opened by Commissioner Lewis, and the pledge and prayer were led by Commissioner Eliason.  A moment of silence was offered in memory of the late Dustin Smith, former Oneida County prosecuting attorney.

The water recharge agreement was discussed.  Todd Daniels and Tracy Davis with Malad Valley Irrigation (MVI), which oversees the Devils Creek, St. John, and Crowthers reservoirs discussed ways they have used excess agriculture water to recharge the aquifer.  With permission from the state, they allow water to run into the state gravel pit near Corbridge’s for about a week.  This is preferable to allowing it to become waste water, but a new foreman at the state gravel pit denied the request this year.  Mr.’s Daniel and Davis expressed their concern that our water is running into Utah, opening the opportunity for Utah to lay claim on the water.  One way the county could help in the future is to dig a ditch and place a headgate and culvert.  Another way would be to be a go-between with the state and Malad Valley Irrigation. More information will follow, once negotiations with the state gravel pit are underway.  Mr. Davis felt that it would be good for the foreman, Todd Hubbard, to visit in person before final decisions are made.

Mr. Dave Nimer came before the board of commissioners to ask about the responsibilities and restrictions of the airport board, and if there was a document for review. Commissioner Lewis outlined some of the responsibilities, to include supervising specific functions, assisting the board of commissioners with improving county assets including safety (specifically the airport budget), and obtaining grants (and take action) to help with improvement of the airport. Mr. Nimer offered his services with the board, based on his knowledge and years of experience with the airport.

The communications lease for Malad Mountain was discussed with Racoon Radio Club members Bill Drury and Jim Mustos. Attorney Lyle Fuller has a draft sub-lease agreement drawn up now that the county has signed the communications lease agreement with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Discussion regarding the term of the lease determined that the sub-lease with the Racoon Club could be shorter than the twenty-year lease the county signed with the BLM. The sub-lease would be for a nominal fee of up to one-dollar. The utilities, and the cost to get commercial power to the site was another point of discussion. This will cost up to four-thousand dollars, which the radio club is prepared to cover.  Mr. Drury pointed out a clause in the contract regarding road maintenance and suggested that it would be more appropriate for the county to continue to maintain the road, as the club is not able to shoulder that responsibility though it is happy to help with paint, some upkeep of the building, and spraying weeds according to regulations.  Mr.’s Drury and Mustos are anxious to finalize the agreement soon, to give the club time to move their equipment into the building before the first snowfall eliminates access.  Mr. Mustos assured the commissioners the club will follow the Bureau of Land management specific and technical guidelines regarding equipment.  The club will also self-insure their equipment and the county will provide coverage for the structure, similar to how the TV translator building is insured. Attorney Lyle Fuller hopes to have the document finalized and ready for commissioner signature by the next commissioner meeting on August 26.

In a previous commissioner meeting (December 26, 2023), Niel Mateski requested a three-way stop at the intersection near 2000 N. and 3400 W. At the time, it was determined that a road study might be required but that it would not be advisable until after the snow was gone so that snowplows would not damage the equipment. In August, Mr. Mateski renewed his request for a change with the intersection.  Road & Bridge Supervisor Dianna Dredge stated that other studies show that you cannot control speed with a stop sign.  Stop signs put on the other direction (and removing the one currently there) as well as additional tree-trimming for greater visibility were some of the options discussed. Ms. Dredge informed the commissioners that a road study on 2000 N. has been completed and another study is needed on the north-south road (3400 W).  Once complete, the county would follow the recommendations from either the road engineer or LTCA.  It will take some time for a response once Ms. Dredge submits the request to engineer the intersection. 

The LensLock agreement for the Sheriff’s office body and vehicle cameras was discussed.  Commissioner Jeppsen motioned to sign resolution number 2024-08-01 approving the purchase of body and vehicle camera systems with LensLock, which was approved.  Although this is a multi-year contract, the board of commissioners can only budget one year at a time.  A clause is included where the county might terminate the contract in the event there are no funds to pay in a future budget year.  Once the equipment is received, it will be added to the county insurance.  The contract was approved for a period beginning August 1, 2024 for the purchase of their body & vehicle camera system for a five-year contract in the amount of $31,774 per year beginning October 12, 2024.  It was confirmed that the first three (3) months of the contract are free and although the contract starts in October, LensLock sought approval to begin installing and transferring data now so that everything is ready on day one.  

The county burn ordinance was discussed. Commissioner Lewis received a call from Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) because Oneida County was one of two counties without a burn ordinance. Oneida County Fire Chief John Williams stated the DEQ website shows we have a no-burn policy in effect right now. There is a burn ordinance (2020-08-01), but both Attorney Lyle Fuller and Chief Williams stated an annual letter regarding a burn moratorium would be appropriate to bring before the board of commissioners. Chief Williams then presented a letter dated July 15, 2024 that outlined the current burn ban in Oneida County.  Bans normally run through the end of October, but no end date was put on the letter because conditions may change.

The AirMethods Memorandum of Understanding was discussed.  Mr. John Williams stated the doctor is who determines where the patient will go.  There are 4 buttons in the hospital currently that authorized staff can press that will summon the nearest available, and Mr. Williams stated it would be helpful for the sheriff’s office to also have a button because it saves time when time is often critical.  The discussion will be continued at the August 26 commissioner meeting.

Excess county property was discussed. It was determined that all items could be listed on the Public Auction site with commissioner approval, once information and photos were provided to Mandi Armstrong in the Clerk’s office. 

Commissioner Eliason motioned to authorize the sale, at Public Auction, of the following items on behalf of Oneida County.  Seconded by Commissioner Jeppsen. All ayes. Motion carried.

(1) 1986 Yellow Ford Water Truck w/2,500-gallon tank

(1) 1990 International Green Water Truck w/3,000-gallon tank

(1) 4-drawer horizontal filing cabinet

(1) 3-drawer horizontal filing cabinet

(7) 18”x40” 3-drawer legal size filing cabinets

(4) 18”x52” 4-drawer filing cabinets

(2) 15”x52” 4-drawer filing cabinets

(1) Pull-behind grass sweeper

(2) L-shaped office desks with drawers and with cabinet storage

(1) Extra-large office desk with drawers

The road and bridge department would like to replace the two water trucks being sold with the aforementioned list of excess county property.  A possible suitable replacement was found in Salt Lake City. It is a 2007 International with a 4,000-gallon water tank and was listed for $60,000, a price within the road & bridge budget.  Commissioner Eliason motioned to replace the water trucks with a 2007 International water truck for up to $60,000. Motion carried.

Cody Clyde, the Weed Supervisor for Oneida County, discussed the weed grant and the weed budget with the commissioners. The grant is set up where the county pays upfront and the grant will reimburse those costs.  Although grant money is available, the current projects and cost for chemicals will cause Mr. Clyde to go over his budget by $17,000 until the funds are reimbursed (zero cost to the county). Commissioner Eliason motioned to allow the Oneida County Weed Department to go over the grant spraying budget by up to $17,960.38. 
Motion carried.

Weed Supervisor Cody Clyde discussed the weeds at the fairgrounds, particularly along the fence that abuts the townhome properties.  Mr. Clyde presented options for management, which included being given oversight and a budget for 2025 so he can spray effectively in the spring.  Additionally, Commissioner Lewis pondered the possibility of approving a spraying budget for the airport, fairgrounds/facilities, and Deep Creek Reservoir. Mr. Clyde was asked to provide budget numbers for next year for consideration with next years budget.

A recent power outage at the courthouse revealed bad voltage on the battery of the backup generator.  This made it seem that the sensor was bad because it did not register anything was wrong. Adam Ellertson with Precision Power (Layton, Utah) recommends changing the batteries every two years and has amended the service contract with Oneida County to reflect this.  Meanwhile, when the battery was put back, it was pushed too far and caused minor damage. Replacement parts for a broken tooth on the sensor is enroute.  It was determined that a weekly check on the generators at the court house and event center would be prudent. The generators are set to cycle once a week and run for 10-minutes.  The hour meter can be monitored to ensure those cycles are happening.  Additionally, Rocky Mountain Power’s Ryan Cook will make sure the courthouse has a secondary tie-in to avoid downtime during a power failure.  The backup generators would run during the interim.  

A request was heard for an ordinance to enable the county to collect funds owed. Options might include adding things to the tax roll, passing an ordinance, small claims court, and civil district count action. Deterrents for those options are that not all items can be added to a tax roll, civil action may be more time consuming and costly than small-claims court, and the county attorney is not able to represent the county in small claims court. Attorney Lyle Fuller recommends gathering more information and re-visiting the issue within the ensuing month.

The Town Hall scheduled for October was confirmed for October 20, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Event Center. 

Tax interest and penalty charges on RP0236901 were requested due to confusion when the property was sold around the same time notices were mailed out.  The original notice was sent to the previous owners and the system was then updated.  The new owners had no knowledge of the bill until they received a statement with interest and penalty charges added.  Commissioner Lewis motioned to cancel interest and late fees on parcel number RP0236901 for $25.58.  Motion carried.

The Deep Creek Forest Service lease was discussed. Commissioner Jeppsen made an inquiry via email about weed spraying per Idaho policy versus requesting permission each time there is a need to spray. He is still waiting for an answer.  Commissioner Jeppsen also requested the name on the lease be changed to “Oneida County.”  Communication with Fish & Game’s Patrick Kennedy responded to questions over who is responsible for the care and upkeep of the facilities.  Mr. Kennedy stated Oneida County’s responsibilities are road maintenance (grade the road 1-2 times per year as needed and periodic snow removal), sheriff’s office to provide civil engagement to deter vagrancy or vandalism, garbage disposal, restroom maintenance and weed control.  Commissioner Lewis would like clarification of responsibilities and a few key points prior signing the lease.  Some of those points are determining road & bridge availability to plow the snow, who will bring the bathrooms up to standard, dock maintenance/upkeep, and the cost to Oneida County.

Court facilities fund usage was discussed.  There is twenty-thousand dollars available and can be used for anything to do with the remodel of the courtroom.  

Commissioner Lewis motioned to allot $19,000 (nineteen-thousand) of the court facilities fund toward the remodel of the courtroom. Seconded by Commissioner Jeppsen.  Motion carried.

Commissioners recessed briefly before reconvening at 1:00pm to discuss county insurance options for employees with insurance representative Scott Leavitt. Mr. Leavitt discussed the current Idaho medical inflation averages and recent trends, which average ten-percent. Oneida County has only increased two-percent.

The quote for the county’s current plan through Blue Cross saw a cost increase of 5.67% and the deductible increased by one-hundred dollars to $900. This plan also has vision built into the policy.  Similar plans were priced with Blue Cross, Pacific Source, and Gem Plan.  The first increased by sixteen-percent, Pacific Source increased by seven-percent, and Gem Plan did not provide a quote because they said they could not compete with the rates from the other plans Mr. Leavitt priced.  Mr. Leavitt recommends keeping the same insurance plan with a $900 deductible and offer insurance to dependents.  This is new this year due to a change that went into effect where people can still be offered insurance but if the premium exceeds more than a set percentage of income, they can still get a tax credit through the Idaho Insurance Exchange.  This was not available previously, and is why the county did not offer insurance to dependents. Mr. Leavitt recommended keeping the same plans as they are still competitive.

Mr. Leavitt will return to Oneida County during open enrollment (date to yet be determined) to answer employee questions and offer enrollment assistance or to share other options via the Idaho Health Exchange program. Employees will be notified of the date of Mr. Leavitt’s return once it has been determined.

Commissioner Lewis motioned to follow through with the new Oneida County compensation plan that Scott Leavitt has presented with medical insurance, Delta Dental, and a renewal of basic life insurance and offer the option of dependent coverage. Motion carried.