7/29/05 Special Commissioners Meeting Minutes:

The Board of Bear Lake County Commissioners met on Friday, July 29, 2005 at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners Room of the Courthouse Annex in Paris, Idaho for a special meeting as requested by Prosecuting Attorney Ardee Helm, Jr. for the purpose of reviewing his budget and contingent expenses. Members of the Board present: Dwight L. Cochran, Conrad Michaelson, Vaughn Rasmussen and Colleen Kelsey, Deputy Clerk. Clerk Haddock was out of the County.

Rodney Wallentine, Treasurer, Bill Stock, and Roy Bunderson also attended the meeting.

Attorney Helm discussed his job duties and involvement as a Prosecuting Attorney for the County and reasons why he is requesting an increase in his budget for fiscal year 2005-2006. A review of surrounding counties with comparable populations was presented by Chief Deputy Shannon Bunderson as requested by Clerk Haddock for the Commissioners review. The Prosecuting Attorney's salary for Bear Lake County, Part-Time position, $43,680.00 with a total A & B Budget $89,775.00; Caribou County, Full-Time position, $48,010.00 with a total A & B Budget of $109,005.00; Franklin County, Part-Time position, $52,530.00 with a total A & B Budget of $137,077.00; and Oneida County, Full-Time position, $45,911.00 with a total A & B Budget of $76,249.32.

The Commissioners asked Attorney Helm approximately how many hours per week he puts in for the County and how much the City of Montpelier pays him, with which he replied he puts in almost always 40 per week, sometimes less and the City of Montpelier pays him approximately $16,000 a year for 2 evening meetings a month.

After a lengthy review and discussion of the Prosecuting Attorney's budget request, the Commissioners agreed to approve $10,000 in the Expert Witness line item for an upcoming trial and agreed to present the following figures to Clerk Haddock for Monday, August 1, 2005 scheduled tentative budget hearing: $51,170.00 - Prosecuting Attorney's Salary; $29,470.36 - Secretary Salary; for a total A budget of $80,640.36 and a total B Budget of $33,957.00 for a combined total A & B Budget of $114,597.36.
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7/11/05 Commissioners Meeting Minutes:

The Board of Bear Lake County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, July 11, 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, Vaughn Rasmussen and Kerry Haddock, Clerk of the Board.

Rodney Wallentine, Treasurer, Brent Bunn, Sheriff, Rosa Moosman, Editor for the News-Examiner, Bill Stock and Paul Underwood also attended the meeting.

PREVIOUS MINUTES APPROVED
Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to approve the minutes for the June 13, 2005 meeting and the June 27, 2005 meeting as presented by Clerk Haddock. Motion was unanimous.

RANGER DONATION
Clerk Haddock presented a request from the Bear Lake Rangers for $200 to help pay for the 4th of July parade awards. The request was tabled as the Commissioners continue to investigate the issue of donations to non-governmental entities.

AMBULANCE FEE REQUESTS
Clerk Haddock presented two requests for Ambulance fee reductions. Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to not reduce the fees. Motion was unanimous.

STATE FAIR REQUEST
Commissioners considered a request from the Eastern Idaho Fair Board to help with a paving project at the Fair Grounds in Blackfoot. The Commissioners declined to act for lack of clarification.

Ardee Helm, Prosecutor, and Mitch Poulsen joined the meeting.

TAXES ON SEIZED PROPERTY
Treasurer Wallentine presented a request to cancel taxes on property that was confiscated in a drug arrest. The taxes in question accumulated after the property was seized making it County owned property. The process of confiscating property in drug related arrests was explained by Prosecutor Helm. The property is sold with proceeds going to the Prosecuting Attorney's Drug Task Force. Attorney Helm explained that after being seized and prior to being sold, the property is public property not subject to taxes. It was an oversight, that the Treasurer was not notified of the seizure causing taxes to accumulate on the property. After the discussion Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rassmussen to cancel the taxes in question. Motion was unanimous.

ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING
Treasurer Wallentine presented the Commissioners with a status of tax collections as of June 30 showing that 94% of Real Property tax and 97% of Personal Property taxes had been collected. Sheriff Bunn presented his monthly report. He reported that the July 4th weekend resulted in a full jail. There were 7 felony cases in the district court on Thursday. He presented a proposed Interstate Mutual Aid Agreement with Lincoln County in Wyoming. The Commissioners agreed to send a letter to Lincoln County stating that they were in agreement with the concept, but had questions concerning a clause regarding the expenses of the entities involved. The Commissioners discussed the agreement with Caribou County for use of their jail. Commissioner Rasmussen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Michaelson to sign the agreement. The motion was unanimous.

Sheriff Bunn presented a bid from Don Braun, Bear Lake Heating & Air Conditioning to add air conditioning to the communication building on M-hill. Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to accept the bid of $2,500. Motion was unanimous.

Dale Thornock, Lori Stafford, Alex Hudson, Gary McKee and Roy Bunderson joined the meeting.

RESERVE AT BEAR LAKE
Alex Hudson and Gary McKee presented the final plat for the Reserve at Bear Lake, Phase 1 to the Commissioners for approval. The number of lots was changed from 8 to 6 from the preliminary Plat. Roads will be private, but will be built to County standards should they eventually become County roads. They will have private septic systems. Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to accept the final Plat as presented subject to meeting all of the Planning and Zoning conditions and obtaining approval of the County Engineer. Motion was unanimous.

PROSECUTOR BUDGET
Prosecutor Helm approached the Commissioners regarding his workload and budget constraints. He stated that crime was increasing in the County and the two days per week he was being paid for was not adequate to handle the workload. He also stated that there were upcoming trials that would require a lot of time as well as the calling of expert witnesses and witnesses that would have to travel considerable distances. Prosecutor Helm was asked to submit figures to the Clerk to be considered in the upcoming budget process.

Rob Bundy joined the meeting.

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
The Commissioners convened as a Board of Equalization to accept the revised Abstracts as presented by the Assessor's Office and turn over the tax rolls to the Clerk and to adjourn as a Board of Equalization.

REFUGE ACQUISITION
Rob Bundy, U. S. Fish and Wildlife, met with the Commission to update them on the proposed acquisition of 1,125 acres for expanding the existing bird refuge. He presented information regarding the Commissioner's concerns of the effect the acquisition might have on the County Airport. He had contacted individuals with the Idaho Airport Authority and the Federal Aviation Administration and had concluded that Airport expansion would most likely not be affected by the proposed acquisition and the potential disturbance reduction could actually help. Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to support the acquisition with the understanding that the County would get PILT money. There would be a study done regarding the licensing of the airport to land jets and the property would be managed as to not interfere with FAA approval. Motion was unanimous. The Commissioners also signed a letter to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife supporting the acquisition.

CITIZEN CONCERNS
Roy Bunderson approached the Commission with several concerns. He expressed concern regarding the County plowing snow on private roads. Commissioner Rasmussen stated that the County was working to update maps showing all public and private roads. He was concerned that longevity pay for elected officials and public donations to private entities had not been addressed. He was informed that these would be addressed during the budgeting process. He stated there appeared to be a lack of enforcement of Planning and Zoning ordinances. There were building sites progressing with no permits posted and he knew of a property with a permit that was not visited. Mr. Bunderson also expressed that road maintenance of Bloomington and St. Charles roads is lacking. Crews have been busy working on the North Beach road and have had some equipment problems.

EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANCE
Commissioner Michaelson reported on a meeting with Ron Ramirez of the Gem Plan regarding the increasing cost of health insurance. The plan had some very large claims last year and had not been able to build reserves as hoped. The cost will increase approximately 15% next year. He hoped that increases in the future would be smaller.

Methods of reducing costs were discussed including increasing the deductible or implementing a buy down plan.

BUILDING PERMITS
Bill Stock approached the Commissioners with concerns regarding building permits. He explained that there were inconsistencies in the time to process permits. The Assessors office had a permit double issued. Commissioner Michaelson agreed to look into the situation.

BEAR LAKE WEST ROADS
Jay Oberst, representing the Bear Lake West Property owners met with the Commission. He complimented the County on the snow removal done last winter. He requested a schedule for road maintenance for the summer. Commissioner Rasmussen agreed to get with the Road and Bridge Supervisor to get a schedule.

NOXIOUS WEEDS
Todd Transtum met with the Commission to discuss the County weed program. Commissioner Michaelson stated that he would like to provide incentive for people to control their own weeds. One way to do this would be to raise the fees that the County charges to spray. There was discussion concerning how much to charge.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Michaelson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rasmussen to recess the regular meeting and to convene an executive session to discuss a Medically Indigent case.

Following the executive session the Commissioners acted unanimously to deny case #2005-18, due to incomplete application and lack of cooperation.

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

JOUNIOR COLLEGE SCOLARSHIPS
The Commissioners approved Residency Affidavits for the following: Sari Romrell, Brian Linscomb, Josephine Vouros, Lyndsay VanDarlin and Morgan Kidd.

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

/s/ Dwight L. Cochran
DWIGHT L. COCHRAN
Chairman of the Board

ATTEST:/s/ Kerry Haddock
KERRY HADDOCK, Clerk

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7/11/05 Commissioners Meeting Notice:

9:00 A.M. CHARLIE FAULKNER - Airport Business

9:15 A.M. ELECTED OFFICIALS MEETING

9:30 A.M. ALEX HUDSON - Final Plat for Reserve at Bear Lake Phase I

9:45 A.M. TRI-VALLEY TAXES

9:50 A.M. ARDEE HELM - Prosecuting Attorney's Budget

10:00 A.M. GREG SKINNER - Cattleguards

10:15 A.M. BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

10:30 A.M. ROB BUNDY - Proposed Refuge Acquisition

10:45 A.M. ROY BUNDERSON - Ethics

11:00 A.M.

11:15 A.M.

11:30 A.M.

11:45 A.M.

LUNCH

1:30 P.M. ADJOURN TO BEAR LAKE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR NURSING HOME ADDITION

OLD BUSINESS
Approve Minutes for June 13th and 27th, 2005

Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Issues

NEW BUSINESS
Bear Lake Rangers $200 Request for Parade

Sign Order for Cancellation of Taxes

Medically Indigent Claims

Ambulance Fee Reductions

Eastern Idaho State Fair Request

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

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