This report is adapted from the official minutes taken by Deputy Clerk Shanci Dorius, who graciously provided them.

Commissioner Eliason opened the meeting by excusing Commissioner Lewis. Commissioner Eliason is acting Chairman for this meeting and Commissioner Jeppsen led all in the pledge and a prayer, after which the meeting minutes and payroll were approved.  

Property Tax Cancellation Request – RP0018000 – Assessor

Seeing a new address for the owners of RP0018000, the Assessor’s office dropped the homeowner exemption for the homeowner, who was having their mail forwarded to their son’s out-of-state address while they were on a mission. The homeowner was able to show they were still qualified for the exemption and requested a refund of $968.67 for tax year 2024.  A motion to accept the cancellation of taxes for Allen and Julie Bell for parcel number RP0018000 for the tax year 2024 in the amount of $968.67 carried. 

Idaho Power Judgement – Treasurer

Idaho Power appealed the state-level assessed values of parcels owned in several counties and won a lawsuit filed against the Idaho State Tax Commission regarding the inaccurately assessed values for tax years 2020, 2021, and 2022.   The Idaho State Tax Commission sent a letter to affected counties to inform them that a cash refund in the amount of the overpayment of taxes to Idaho Power would need to be made.  A second option was to give Idaho Power a tax credit on their next property bill. As this amount is accruing daily interest, commissioners and Treasurer Leigh Love felt it best to immediately send a refund payment for the total amount and then sort it out between the affected districts in Oneida County. The portion owed by Oneida County and its districts (including interest through December 31, 2024) is $3,359.94:

Oneida County $ 2,512.95

Oneida County – SD351
Plant FAC $163.27

Oneida County – SD351
Supplement $394.59

Oneida County – SD351 TORT $1.17

Oneida County – Free Library $228.63

Oneida County – Holbrook
Cemetery $29.33

Oneida County – Holbrook
Recreation $30.00 

A motion to pay the amount of $3,359.94 to Idaho Power for the excess taxes incurred by the Idaho State Tax Commission that were part of the three Idaho Power judgements for tax years 2020, 2021, and 2022 carried. 

Indigent Defense Expenditure Report FY2024

The Indigent Defense Expenditure Report shows the county’s spending on public defense services for those who cannot afford an attorney, support services, and administration. County Clerk Lon Colton presented the report for fiscal year 2024.  

As of 10/1/2024, the state took over the indigent program, but the counties are still responsible for some aspects that were not addressed in House Bill 529, passed earlier in 2024.  This bill established the Idaho Public Defense Commission with the hope of improving program oversight and services. With regards to Oneida County, there is money in the account that will be used for things the county is still responsible for, even though specifics on those responsibilities are not yet available. The county spent $23,000 more than what was in the fund, but this was an amount several thousand dollars less than the former $30,000 annual contract for the indigent attorney services.  

A motion to accept the Indigent Defense Expenditure Report for FY2024 as presented carried. 

APA Review Committee Ratification

Per Idaho Code 22-502, Agricultural Protection Area (APA) Committee Members must reside in the county they are serving, work in (or have experience in) an agricultural field, and be appointed by county commissioners.  The APA Committee helps protect farm land by advising on land use to prevent harmful development. Commissioners ratified the following five qualified committee members:

Clayton Eliason – Employed with Stotz Equipment 

Josh Paskett – Brand-inspector and Rancher

Austin Tubbs – Farmer

Steve Daniels – Farmer

Brody Weeks – Employed with Case/New Holland.

IT Managed Services Agreement

Attorney Lyle Fuller’s concerns with the IT Managed Services Agreement were addressed with IT Specialists, who amended the agreement to Mr. Fuller’s satisfaction and provided an updated copy for signature (dated 12.12.2024).

A motion to accept IT Specialists Managed Services Agreement with Oneida County Idaho in the amount of $2,576.00 per month carried. 

Resolution for Arbon Valley Road Grant – Keller & Associates 

Attorney Lyle Fuller informed commissioners that it is not unusual to request something more formal for documentation purposes that would authorize Keller’s to go after the grant and confirm the county is on board with contributing matching funds.  This item was approved at a previous meeting, albeit without the formal resolution that was before the commissioners.

A motion to accept resolution number 2024-12-02 authorizing the road and bridge department to apply for the Surface Transportation Program (STP) grant and contribute matching funds of $220,200 and to allow staff use commissioner stamps to sign the document after the signature line has been updated carried.

Lights for R&B Shop

Road & Bridge Supervisor Dianna Dredge requested better (and additional) lighting in the road and bridge building because the shop is quite dark and it is difficult to see what is being worked on.  A bid for $8,030.98 from North Wind Electric to change current lights for updated LED’s and adding additional lighting was presented to commissioners. Ms. Dredge assured commissioners that there is enough money in the road & bridge building maintenance/repair budget for both the needed carpet (currently seeking bids) and the lights. At the request of the commissioners, Ms. Dredge will also look into any available incentives through the Rocky Mountain Power Company although the shop lights are already LED.

Summary of Amendments to Oneida County Ordinance 2022-08-01

Fuller & Fuller prepared a summary of amendments to Oneida County Ordinance number 2022-08-01 based on what the commissioners approved at the hearing on December 9, 2024 regarding the development code changes to Agricultural Protection Area (APA), Recreational Vehicle (RV) guidelines, Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), Planned Unit Development (PUD), and Animal Feeding Operations (AFO). 

A motion to accept and approve the summary of amendments made to the Oneida County Development Code number 2022-08-01 that were approved carried.

Computer Arts License (one more needed) – Sheriff’s office)

The sheriff’s office has requested one additional user license for the Computer Arts program since Rachel Hawkes was given additional duties and is unable to share a login. The cost would be paid out of the county software fund.  A motion to accept the quote carried.

Communications Building on Malad Mountain

The commissioners have been waiting for documentation from the Idaho Military Division regarding the communications building on Malad Mountain.  Commissioner Jeppsen discovered an email discussing the property transfer and had requested the topic be added to the agenda as a discussion item.

The Idaho Military Division calls the building the “Old Malad Armadillo Building”, but it is the same building that has been extensively discussed in commissioner meetings over the past 6-8 months and has been referred to as the “Communications Building on Malad Mountain”. The Idaho Military Division no longer used the building and proposed giving it to Oneida County with the stipulation that the building would need to be moved.  The Idaho Military Division moved the building last fall and the county is in discussion with the local Racoon Radio Club for leasing it to them for their radio equipment. The final piece to the puzzle was acknowledgement from the Idaho Military Division that they had indeed given the building to Oneida County.  The documentation from the email is a one-page acknowledgement form that needs to be signed in a future meeting.  

Bulk Fuel Tank - Quotes for Covering & Bollards

Building and Maintenance Manager Tory Richardson joined the commissioner via phone to discuss the quotes he had gathered for the bollards and covering for the bulk fuel tank. Mr. Richardson felt like the best option for the bollards would be ordering them from Uline, as they were similar in price while being sturdier and would come with a covering.  Additionally, there were two bids for a covering to go over the bulk fuel tank area and commissioners requested a third estimate be obtained before making a decision on the covering.

A motion to approve the purchase of ten (10) bollards for the base price of $105 each to be positioned around the side of the bulk fuel tank and around the fuel station carried.