8/8/05 Commissioners Meeting Minutes:

The Board of Bear Lake County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, August 8, 2005, beginning at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners Room of the Courthouse Annex. Members of the Board present, Dwight L. Cochran, Chairman of the Board, Conrad E. Michaelson, Vaughn Rasmussen and Kerry Haddock, Clerk of the Board.

Rodney Wallentine, Treasurer, Lynn Lewis, Assessor, Bill Stock, Paul Underwood, Leslie Jensen, Dee Johnson and Tiffany Preston also attended the meeting.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Dee Johnson, Leslie Jensen and Tiffany Preston from the Southeast Idaho Health Department met with the Commission to give their quarterly report. Ms. Jensen, County Health Nurse, reported that they had been testing dead animals for diseases and have been getting samples from Birds furnished by the Fish and Game, but have found no cases of West Nile Virus. They will be audited by the State in October. Dee Johnson reported that sewer permits issued in the County were down. The Health Department had received a complaint regarding a food establishment in Montpelier. She also reported on the Bear Lake County landfill. She suggested that the Commissioners look at the option of a regional landfill and invited them to their next meeting to discuss this issue.

Rosa Moosman, Editor of the News-Examiner, and Olean Parker joined the meeting.

MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to approve the minutes of the July 11, 2005 regular meeting and July 29, 2005 and August 1, 2005 special meetings. Motion was unanimous.

GARBAGE FEE
Clerk Haddock presented a request for waiver of garbage fee. Commissioners discussed the current policy and asked the Clerk to answer the letter explaining the policy.

RESIDENCY AFFIDAVIT
Residency affidavits for Junior College scholarships were approved for Karen Derricott, Clay Passey, Krystal Derricott, Kristin Lowe, Sandra Keetch and Trevor Morrell.

JULY BILLS APPROVED
The Commissioners reviewed and unanimously approved claims as submitted, authorizing Clerk Haddock to make payment as follows:

CURRENT EXPENSE 50855-50930 $31,856.89 ROAD & BRIDGE CAP 50006 $5,114.21 CURRENT EXPENSE 50931 6,398.46 CHARITY 50053-50056 1,611.37 ROAD & BRIDGE 50306-50332 114,271.16 911 50031-50032 229.03 AMBULANCE 50125-50131 7,188.48 EVALUATION 50099-50108 6,786.54 DISTRICT COURT 50217-50229 6,309.70 SOLID WASTE 50178-50185 14,280.16 DISTRICT COURT BOND 50019-50021 3,390.00 WEED CONTROL 50133-50145 18,779.00 DISTRICT COURT REST. 50054-50060 1,845.00 SNOWMOBILE 50110-50112 492.83 FAIR 50049-50060 5,029.05 WATERWAYS 50061-50064 1,649.33 JUVENILE JUSTICE 50125-50128 315.85 AIRPORT 50085-50092 703.16 DISTRICT HEALTH 50042-50044 351.63

PAYROLL CURRENT EXPENSE 791-840 $60,133.99 JUVENILE JUSTICE 863-866 $3,264.36 ROAD & BRIDGE 841-855 30,969.56 EVALUATION 867-868 3,964.00 AMBULANCE 856 478.63 SOLID WASTE 869-873 10,970.26 DISTRICT COURT 857-860 5,776.46 WEED CONTROL 874-876 5,337.54 FAIR 861-862 4,263.49 WATERWAYS 877 515.19

INSURANCE AND WITHHOLDINGS CURRENT EXPENSE 50847-50854 $53,348.99 REVALUATION 50092-50098 $3,295.34 ROAD & BRIDGE 50298-50305 26,769.07 SOLID WASTE 50171-50177 9,753.86 AMBULANCE 50123-50124 305.90 WEED CONTROL 50128-50132 2,709.48 DISTRICT COURT 50209-50216 5,985.09 WATERWAYS 50059-50060 177.59 FAIR 50048 17.85 DISTRICT COURT BOND 50018 78.00 JUVENILE JUSTICE 50119-50124 2,530.82

Roy Bunderson joined the meeting.

FOUR WHEELERS ON THE BEACH
The issue of controlling four wheelers on the beach was discussed. It was pointed out that Rich County has zones restricting four wheelers and 5 officers to help enforce it. Commissioner Rasmussen will check with the State Parks Department regarding enforcement on the Idaho side.

BUDGET DISCUSSIONS
The preliminary budget that was presented by the Clerk to the Commissioners on August 1st was discussed. Two changes were suggested by the Clerk. It was proposed to increase the Juvenile Justice budget by $12,653, to make the Administrative Assistant a full-time employee rather than part-time. This was a result of receiving an unexpected one-time payment from the State Lottery Commission of $24,000 that was designated to be spent in the Juvenile Justice Fund. The other change was an increase in the computer software services to retain the current provider as the Treasurer will not convert until late in the fiscal year. A motion was made by Commissioner Michaelson and seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to adopt these changes. Motion was unanimous.

There was discussion regarding the proposed 3% salary raise and the increasing cost of health insurance. Health insurance cost to the County will increase $60,000 for employees and family members. Commissioner Rasmussen pointed out that we are one of only a few counties that still pay all of the family's cost of health insurance. The difference in the cost for a family versus a single person is approximately $7,600. Roy Bunderson stated that there was a Supreme Court case that paying more for families insurance was not discrimination. There was further discussion on having the employees pay a portion of the family's cost of insurance at sometime in the future. Paul Underwood expressed concern that some entities supported by the County do not give financial reports. He felt that they all should be accountable. There was discussion regarding deficit spending and that the County has done so for the past several years. Major items of spending increases were indigent, incarceration and medical insurance. It was generally agreed that we were to a point that we needed to balance the budget. Departmental budgets were looked at with most showing modest increases in spending. Commissioner Michaelson expressed a desire to show more detail in the miscellaneous items in current expense. Changes in the current expense budget included moving Search and Rescue from miscellaneous to the Sheriff's budget, moving baseball to Allinger Park, and moving some agreements and contract funds to economic development with discretion as to how these would be spent. Commissioner Rasmussen expressed a desire to revitalize the Economic Development Corporation. Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen, to approve and publish the budget with the changes discussed. Motion was unanimous.

BUILDING PERMITS
Randy Erickson, Mitch Poulsen and Dale Thornock met with the Commission to discuss and formalize the handling of development permits. Commissioner Michaelson explained that the County had changed significantly in its approach to planning and zoning. The County needs to be sure that individuals understand their rolls. Randy Erickson submitted a proposed policy to the Commissioners. The application would be obtained from the Assessor's office. The completed application would be received by the Assessor's Office and fees collected. The Assessor's office would review property descriptions, parcel numbers, etc. and forward applications to the Building Administrator. The Building Administrator will issue a permit within 30 days and would visit the site twice to insure adherence to setback ordinances. Roy Bunderson expressed concern regarding enforcement of the ordinances. Lynn Lewis felt that 30 days was too long to have to wait for a permit. Mitch Poulsen stated he would like to see the application put on the County web site. Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion seconded, by Commissioner Michaelson to implement the policy as presented subject to consultation with the Prosecuting Attorney. Motion was unanimous.

Greg Skinner, Road and Bridge Supervisor and Sheriff Brent Bunn joined the meeting.

ROAD AND BRIDGE
Greg Skinner reported on Road and Bridge activities. They are currently having gravel washed by Parsons and will soon finish chip sealing. Mr. Skinner stated that the department was very busy and would get to blading and applying dust retardant as soon as possible. They also needed to work on cattle guards and culverts.

SHERIFF'S REPORT
Sheriff Bunn presented his monthly report to the Commissioners for their review and comment.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
Cameron Marlowe presented an Economic Development proposal to the Commissioners. He proposed hiring a full-time executive and secretary to manage the Oregon Trail Center and the industrial park and serve as the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and the Gem Team. He would act as the development officer for all of these organizations. He felt that this would be more cost effective and remove duplication of effort.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting and to convene an executive session to discuss a personnel matter. After the discussion, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the executive session and to reconvene the regular meeting.

Meeting adourned subject to recall by the Chairman or his order.

________________________________________
DWIGHT L. COCHRAN, Chairman

ATTEST:__________________________________
KERRY HADDOCK, Clerk

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8/8/05 Commissioners Meeting Notice:

9:00 A.M. DEE JOHNSON, LESLIE JENSEN, TIFFANY PRESTON - BEAR LAKE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT - Quarterly Report

9:15 A.M. ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING

9:30 A.M. CAMERON MARLOWE - Economic Development Proposal

9:45 A.M.

10:00 A.M. DISCUSS PRELIMINARY BUDGET

10:15 A.M.

10:30 A.M.

10:45 A.M.

11:00 A.M.

11:15 A.M.

11:30 A.M. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel Issues

11:45 A.M. " "

LUNCH

1:30 P.M.

OLD BUSINESS
Approve Minutes for July 29, 2005 and August 1, 2005

Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Issues

NEW BUSINESS

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8/1/05 Special Commissioners Meeting Notice:

The Board of Bear Lake County Commissioners met in special session on Monday, August 1, 2005, beginning at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners Room of the Courthouse Annex in Paris, Idaho. Members of the Board present, Dwight L. Cochran, Chairman of the Board, Conrad E. Michaelson and Kerry Haddock, Clerk of the Board. Commissioner Vaughn Rasmussen was out of town and unable to attend.

Lynn Lewis, Assessor, Bill Stock and Roy Bunderson also attended the meeting.

COUNTY BUDGET
Clerk Haddock presented his preliminary budget for the 2006 fiscal year to the Commissioners. He stated that he had tried to keep the budget closer to what was actually needed to fund the County. Budget included a 3% wage increase for all employees and continuation of the current longevity pay system. The one exception is the County Prosecutor's wage as discussed in the July 29th Commissioner's meeting. Continuation of current benefit package including full funding of health insurance. $75,000 has been budgeted, for a new computer system for the Treasurer and Clerk to be funded out of the Courthouse Capital Fund. All Road and Bridge capital spending to come out of the Road and Bridge Capital Fund.

There was considerable discussion regarding the proposed 3% raise and the health insurance benefit. Commissioner Michaelson expressed concern over the continuing increases in health insurance. He felt that at some point the employees would have to contribute to the plan. Roy Bunderson expressed that employees were the Counties best asset and it was important to keep them adequately compensated.

Assessor Lynn Lewis expressed that his department's workload had increased. Although Bear Lake is a small county population wise we have twice as many parcels to value as neighboring counties. Bear Lake also has one of the highest rates of increases in value in the state.

There was also discussion of certain non-governmental spending such as the Oregon Trail Center. Roy Bunderson expressed concern that he had not received an answer to his request to justify this kind of spending. Commissioner Rasmussen was looking into this matter. Commissioner Michaelson stated that his review of the statues indicated that the County should not be spending money on non-governmental entities. He also questioned the accountability of the Oregon Trail Center.

Bill Stock asked where the Planning and Zoning money was spent. He will get with the Clerk to review records after the meeting. He also questioned whether we were getting what we paid for from the Bear Lake Regional Commission and wanted to know what were the Counties expectations and what we were getting.

It was decided to study the proposed budget and discuss these items in more detail at the August 8th meeting.

RESOLUTIONS #2005-13 - Airport and #2005-14 - Snowmobile
Due to receiving unexpected grant money the Airport Budget and the Snowmobile Budget were opened and increased per the following Resolutions:

RESOLUTION #2005-13

Pursuant to Idaho Code 31-1605, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Bear Lake Board of County Commissioners hereby authorize and direct the Bear Lake County Prosecuting Attorney to petition the District Court to open the Fiscal Year 2004-2005 budget to increase the following budget:

AIRPORT

/s/ Dwight L. Cochran________________
DWIGHT L. COCHRAN, Chairman of the
Board of County Commissioners

RESOLUTION #2005-14

Pursuant to Idaho Code 31-1605, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Bear Lake Board of County Commissioners hereby authorize and direct the Bear Lake County Prosecuting Attorney to petition the District Court to open the Fiscal Year 2004-2005 budget to increase the following budget:

SNOWMOBILE

/s/ Dwight L. Cochran_________________
DWIGHT L. COCHRAN, Chairman of the
Board of County Commissioners

Meeting adjourned subject to recall by the Chairman or his order.

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