Adapted from the official minutes, recorded by County Clerk Shanci Dorius

Swearing-In Ceremony for Commissioners & Sheriff

Judge David Hooste was present to formally swear in the two returning Commissioners, Bill Lewis of District 1 and Brian Jeppsen of District 3, as well as the incoming Sheriff, Doug Williams.

The Oneida County Deputies Organization attended the swearing-in ceremony, represented by Jerry Thomas, Wayne Jones, and Rhonda Neal. During the event, Mr. Thomas presented a plaque to newly retired Sheriff Arne Jones in honor of his eight years of service to Oneida County.

2025 Commissioner Chairman 

The first commissioner meeting of the year provides the board of commissioners with the opportunity to elect the chairman for that year.  Bill Lewis was elected to continue serving as the Board Chairman.  Commissioner Eliason was elected to serve as the Vice Chair In the event that Commissioner Lewis is unable to attend a meeting during the year.

Board of Commissioners Assignments for 2025

The list of commissioner assignments from the previous year was carried over to 2025, with the addition of “ambulance oversight” being added to Commissioner Eliason’s purview based on his relationship with the ambulance in Holbrook as an EMT.

Commissioner Lewis is over Buuilding/Facilities, Juvenile Detention, Landfill, the Hospital, Public Health, PZ, the Airport, and the Extension Office.  Commission Eliason is over Waterways, Probation and the Courts, PDC, Road and Weed Departments, EISF, Soil Conservation, the Fair Board, and Ambulance oversight.  Commissioner Jeppsen is over SICOG, Economic Development, Veterans, Senior Citizens, Parks and Recreation, TV Translator District, Emergency Services.

Sheriffs Office Deputy Position and Wages

The recently vacated Chief Deputy position in the sheriff’s office was opened to officers with over three years of experience. Candidates took an exam, and their files and field decision-making were reviewed. Detective & School Resource Officer Jenny Hawkes was promoted to Chief Deputy. Newly elected Sheriff Doug Williams requested the board approve her wage increase to $31.03 per hour for the new role. Sheriff Williams also proposed returning the Chief Deputy position to “non-exempt” status, as it has been “exempt” for some time. Before making a decision, the commissioners asked legal counselor Lyle Fuller to review relevant laws and contingencies for Oneida County. In addition to her new responsibilities, Chief Deputy Hawkes will continue her successful role as the School Resource Officer.

Sheriff Doug Williams highlighted Detective Justin Schwartz’s long tenure on the force since the 1990s and expressed the desire for his wage to reflect his dedication and years of service. Sheriff Williams requested an increase in Detective Schwartz’s hourly wage to match the former Detective Jenny Hawkes’ rate of $26.70, up from his current wage of $24.58.

Commissioner Jeppsen motioned to increase hourly wages of the new Chief Deputy to $31.03 and the Detective wage is $26.70.  Seconded by Commissioner Eliason. All ayes. Motion carried. 

Sheriffs Office Fingerprinting Computer & Software Quotes

The sheriff’s office computer dedicated to fingerprinting is no longer functioning and needs to be replaced in order to resume fingerprinting services. Sergeant Dallas Jones obtained two quotes for the replacement.  Commissioner Eliason motioned to support the purchase of fingerprinting software through NEC for $1,930 and a Dell computer for $1,418.50 to be paid with LATCF tribal funds. Motion carried. 

Treasurer – Clerk (Auditor) Quarterly Report

Clerk/Auditor Lon Colton and Treasurer Leigh Love presented the quarterly report to the board of commissioners. The state is taking over the Indigent & Charity program, although the county will still be responsible for certain expenses. Clerk Colton recommended keeping the funds in the medical indigent fund until the state finalizes the new program guidelines, after which any remaining funds can be transferred to the county general fund.

Treasurer Leigh Love initiated a discussion with the commissioners about assisting county residents on fixed incomes who struggle to pay solid waste fees, particularly those already qualified for the property tax reduction (PTR) program. The commissioners requested that more information be gathered and the discussion be revisited at a future meeting.

Idaho Power Judgement – Obligation of Districts

At the last commissioner meeting, commissioners elected to pay the total amount owed by the county and the affected districts in order to stop the accrual of interest. The judgement for Idaho Power was centered around the valuations of Idaho Power’s operating properties being assessed to high by the state. Commissioners opted to send a letter to the affected districts along with a copy of the judgement explaining that the county paid the full bill and needs reimbursement from the districts for their portion either by writing a check or through the reduction in the amount of taxes the district would receive during the remittance process. 

Malad Mountain Communications Building

The Malad Mountain Communications Building is referred to as the Old Armadillo Building by the Idaho Military Division. The county is now in possession of a letter from the Idaho Military Division transferring the property to Oneida County as well as an attached form that requires a signature from Oneida County as the receiving agency accepting the property transfer of the building to the county.  A motion to receive the building passed.

The Malad Mountain Lease agreement between the county and the Racoon Ham Radio Club was discussed.  Draft details were reviewed by Attorney Lyle Fuller with the commissioners and Racoon Club present and Mr. Fuller made note of the requested revisions that will be updated prior to either party signing at a future meeting. 

Extension – Copy Machine 

The copy machine in the extension office is outdated and not functioning properly. Dex Imaging, which is in the process of acquiring Xerox, is updating leases. A representative from Dex discussed options for terminating the old Xerox lease and offered a new lease for an updated machine. The new lease would cost $234.20 per month for 63 months, which is slightly less than the current cost for service and maintenance.  A motion to approve the lease passed.  

4-H Quarterly Reporting

4-H Coordinator Lacey Clark, Office Manager Kelly Sorensen, and Extension Agent Sawyer Fonnesbeck reported on the success of the afterschool program held the first two Tuesdays of each month. The program offers activities and crafts to around thirty children, aiming to spark interest in arts and STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects. Additional activities were held during winter break for 6-10 children per group. Mr. Fonnesbeck noted that the increased hours for the 4-H Coordinator position have greatly benefited the office, helping to improve organization, streamline processes, and expand the range of classes that may be offered to the community.

SHSP Funding to Purchase Water Filtration / Freeze-Dried Foods

Emergency Preparedness Manager Dan Williams and Commissioner Brian Jeppsen have been evaluating the best use of SHSP Grant funds to align with SHSP guidelines. They recommended purchasing a water filtration system and a freeze-drying machine. The freeze dryer would allow the county to produce and store food with a 25-year shelf life, though a suitable model is still being sought. The water purification system costs around $400 and can filter 26,000 gallons, enough for 100 people for 3-5 years. It requires no plumbing or setup costs. Both options would significantly enhance the county’s preparedness for emergencies. A motion for the purchases passed.

Dan Williams and Commissioner Jeppsen are also discussing plans for an emergency preparedness Fair, tentatively scheduled for February or March. The event would feature vendors, specialists, and speakers. County involvement would be limited to promoting the event and providing the use of the Event Center, while volunteers would handle the planning and execution of the fair.

Another communications event for January or February. The county is divided into sections, and weekly radio check-ins are held on Sunday evenings at 7:00pm for handheld radios and at 8:00pm for ham radios. Thanks to Racoon Club member Jim Mustos, a hand-drawn map showing the section lines and the locations of each ham radio operator in the county was presented to each commissioner.

Idaho Public Alerts and Warning System (Oneida County Status – Suspended)

The Idaho Public Alerts and Warning System (IPAWS) is managed through the sheriff’s office, and every three years, a new memorandum of agreement (MOA) must be signed. The agreement comes at no cost to the county but requires significant training. Commissioner Brian Jeppsen reported that the sheriff’s office is already working on the renewal process.

Review of IOEM Conference

Commissioner Jeppsen attended the Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) annual conference in Boise, where key discussions focused on preparedness, contingency planning, and the growing threat of cyberattacks. Cybersecurity threats are doubling every 18 months, with smaller entities being increasingly targeted. Attendees were urged to frequently update passwords and stay current with training. The movie Leave the World Behind (2023) was recommended to illustrate how cyberattacks can disrupt anyone at any time.

The conference also emphasized the importance of communication during crises, noting that lack of clear communication often leads to greater losses. Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) were highlighted as essential, and counties were encouraged to designate a spokesperson for emergencies. Additionally, agreements with neighboring counties for mutual emergency assistance were advised, as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may take weeks to respond. Local-level response is critical in the early stages of a disaster.

ICRMP Building Valuations and Insurance

The Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) provides risk management services and insurance for county assets and property.  To ensure accuracy and adequate insurance coverage, each department conducts a regular review of assets. The ICRMP policy includes assessments of any buildings valued more than $1 million every 5-6 years, with Oneida County due for review in the next few years.  For other buildings, commissioners will meet with County Building Inspector Tory Richardson to review the current building schedule and assess values.  

VSO (Bob Stokes) Resignation & Replacement

Oneida County Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Bob Stokes recently resigned due to health issues. All VSO equipment has been returned and is being stored in the clerk’s office until a replacement has been found. 

R&B - Flooring Quote

Road & Bridge Office Coordinator Lisa Baker has requested quotes for flooring updates to the road and bridge building.  The $11,431 quote from Wall 2 Wall Flooring includes commercial grade flooring everywhere except the office, which will have carpet. This planned expense was part of the road and bridge building repair budget for this fiscal year.  A motion to accept the bid was approved.

R&B - Truck Purchase

Due to issues with one of the trucks in the fleet, the road and bridge department planned for the purchase of a replacement during the 2025 budget discussions. A used 2010 International 7600 snowplow was recently purchased for $29,500 and it came with the wing, snowplow, sander, and other extras already mounted. A motion to approve the purchase passed.

R&B – LHTAC Rumble Strip Report #1 & #2 (Keller)

A safety grant was applied for in 2023 through the Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (LHSIP) to install centerline rumble strips along the entirety of Old Highway 191 and on Old Highway 37 extending from the Highway 38 turnoff north to the county line. Many roads in Oneida County are surfaced with only layers of chip seal, lacking a foundation of hot mix. Additionally, there have been concerns about the narrowness of these roads and the need for clear centerline markings. While painting provides a temporary solution, it is not eligible for grant funding. Rumble strips, however, offer a more durable and long-lasting solution, which is why they are included in the grant coverage.

The estimated cost of the project is $770,000, with Oneida County responsible for 7.34% of the total cost. The county is required to cover all engineering expenses upfront, but any amount paid beyond the 7.34% will be reimbursed once construction begins. Keller Associates has been selected as the engineering firm for the project, with their fees not exceeding $118,700. The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) will provide regular statements to the road and bridge department, including progress reports and invoices. The first two progress reports with statements have been received and need to be paid. Report #1 is $30,147.28 and the total for Report #2 is $18,450.34.  Motions passed.

R&B – Excess Property

The county has cloud seeder equipment that has not been used for quite some time and Franklin County has expressed interest in them. Commissioners will gather more information and revisit this discussion in the future.

Weed – BLM Reimbursement

The BLM is requesting reimbursement in the amount of $15,881.83 with 4% interest added for helicopter spraying on state and private grounds. This is not what Weed Supervisor Cody Clyde was initially told, and he has supporting documentation showing there would be no charge for spraying the weeds coming from BLM land onto private land a was part of an agreement between the BLM and Oneida County that was created by a former weed supervisor. County attorney Lyle Fuller will review all information with Mr. Clyde. Mr. Fuller will send a letter to the BLM and hopes to have a response prior to the next commissioner meeting on January 24, 2025. 

Thank You Cards for Outgoing Board Members

Thank you cards for outgoing board members were signed by commissioners in appreciation for each person’s service.

Planning & Zoning

RonDell Skidmore

Parker Venable

Airport

Scott Gunter

Mike Hess Sr.

Roxanne Albretsen

Hospital

Casey Jones

Wendy Boyer

Nikki Schwartz