STATE OF IDAHO
County of Idaho
FEBRUARY SESSION FEBRUARY 10, 2026 SECOND TERM DAY
8:45 a.m. The board convened with Commissioners Skip Brandt, Ted Lindsley and Brad Higgins and Kathy Ackerman, Clerk present.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Higgins offered an opening prayer.
Brandt moves to go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1) A for Personnel.
Lindsley seconds. Roll call-District 1-yes; District 2-yes; District 3-yes
8:56 a.m. End Executive Session
9:00 a.m. Tucker Flaten and Eric Clippinger, Northwest Management, Inc., present information on their hazardous fuels reduction program, forestry practices, and grant writing assistance. Lindsley questions the fee for grant writing-Flaten advises the rate is approximately $75 per hour with the actual costs dependent upon the complexity of the project—advises that the grant writing fees can be included within the total grant application-discussion. Higgins questions the fees for the administration of the grant-Flaten advises that it ranges from $65 to $90 per hour depending on the level of support provided. Brandt advises that he feels that we are fortunate to have Sandi Paul working on our fire mitigation projects-advises that Paul will reach out in the event she sees a need to tap into additional resources.
10:00 a.m. Andrew regarding claims:
Current Expense: $ 44,024.85
County Road & Bridge: $ 18,415.82
Airport: $ 450.34
Emergency Comm: $ 91.60
District Court: $ 5,455.91
Drug Enforcement: $ 58.56
Solid Waste: $ 103,874.82
Search & Rescue: $ 4,376.97
Noxious Weeds: $ 17,208.47
Snowmobile 25A: $ 39.34
Snowmobile 25B: $ 101.86
Interlock Device Fund: $ 510.00
Broadband Infra: $ 2,342.30
Total: $ 196,940.86
Lindsley moves to approve the claims. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
10:05 a.m. Adam Goicoa, Quality Heating, presents quote for mini-split that will require the use of a crane to install-this is for the dispatch center. Brandt moves to approve the quote for $10,041.92. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
10:15 a.m. Mike Cook presents revised proposal for engineering fees for the AWOS system at the airport-recommends approval of the agreement for engineering services from JUB-discussion. Lindsley moves to approve the agreement as presented. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
10:30 a.m. Brandt opens Public Hearing on the Request for Waiver for Moei Rupp—Rupp advises she would like to split her 21 acre parcel in half in order to sell it. Brandt questions whether or not it has been surveyed-it has not. Brandt questions whether or not a perk test has been done-one has not. Jessup questions the ownership of the property-advises that Jim Rupp, now deceased, is still listed on the property-discussion regarding the status of probate for Mr. Rupp. Estile Hunt opposes the waiver. Wayne Hunt concurs with keeping things the way they are. John Sinclair advises that he is in support of the waiver. Jessup advises this parcel is in a platted subdivision-this would be a waiver on replatting the subdivision-discussion regarding the impact on other residents of the subdivision. Brandt advises that he feels the stated objections and concern for others in the subdivision means that he cannot support the waiver. Lindsley questions whether or not a survey and/or replatting of the subdivision would address the concerns-Jessup reviews the requirement for replatting and potential timeline for the process-discussion. Higgins moves to recess until March 24.
11:01 a.m. Sandi Paul updates regarding presentation she is doing for the Idaho Department of Lands Wildfire Workshop to highlight the work we are doing in Idaho County with both Title III and Good Neighbor Authority. Paul advises that she was approached by the U of I for grant writing services-discussion. Paul reviews the list of projects and Title III spending since 2020-discussion regarding the lack of follow-up on maintenance after treatment is provided. Brandt moves to increase the buy-in for property owners to 25% of the contract cost and increase the bond for piles to be burned to $500 per acre. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor. Paul advises that access to property is a problem for fire response-discussion. Paul updates regarding Good Neighbor Authority projects that may expend our anticipated $1.4 million. Paul advises that we do not have an agreement with the USFS on the Explorer Act-Idaho Fish & Game and the Nez Perce Tribe do have agreements and are operating as pilots for the program-discussion. Paul reviews the resolution regarding the Jungle Bird Project-PK Excavating was the only bidder who could complete the project-the USFS has requested a resolution authorizing PK Excavating to complete additional work that is under the $100,000 threshold for bidding. Brandt moves to approve Idaho County Resolution 2026-03 for work under the Good Neighbor Authority. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor. Paul regarding the Notice of Title III Projects-this will be held pending receipt of 2024 SRS funds.
11:45 a.m. Brandt moves to approve the minutes of the February 3 meeting. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the Orders of Cancellation as per Abbie Hudson. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the CompuNet quote for a new computer for Commissioner Brandt. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the quote from Watertech for HVAC Water Treatment. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the Certificate of Residency for Avery Goins. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for Lucky Aces Saloon, Grangeville Border Days, Inc., Wilderness Post 8311, Hammer Down River Excursion, and Salmon River Unlimited. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Additional Meetings- Higgins- February 19-CMC, February 26-Public Health; Brandt-NACo Legislative Conference-February 21-24
11:56 a.m. Break for Lunch.
1:00 p.m. Brandt opens the public hearing for Reopening the FY2026 budget. No public comment. Brandt moves to approve Idaho County Resolution 2026-04 to Reopen the FY2026 Budget. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
1:02 p.m. End Public Hearing
1:10 p.m. Ackerman regarding plans for County Government Month in April as a mechanism to also highlight America 250 in Idaho-discussion regarding having traveling meetings during the month, as well as meeting with high school students to provide education on the functions of county government. Brandt suggests holding the meetings at the high schools in Cottonwood, Kooskia, Riggins, and Grangeville. Ackerman will work on coordinating.
1:17 p.m. Justin Lockett updates Commissioners regarding the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and the number of requests for research and assistance we are getting from the public. Lockett demonstrates what is involved in looking up ownership/tax records—more involved than simply getting a deed since deeds don’t prove that the person resided there-discussion regarding possible fee structure. Lockett will work on this and come back next week.
1:46 p.m. Justin Hannem, Northwest Elevators, via phone, updates regarding a possible solution for the recent elevator malfunctioning-anticipates that it will take approximately 2 days-estimate is $15,000-discussion. Brandt moves to approve the estimate. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
1:57 p.m. Brandt reviews Idaho County Resolution 2026-05 prohibiting tire disposal at unincorporated (dumpster) locations-moves to approve. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
2:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
