STATE OF IDAHO
County of Idaho
FEBRUARY SESSION FEBRUARY 3, 2026 FIRST TERM DAY
8:30 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 amend the agenda to include in Miscellaneous Approvals a renewal for Microsoft 365 which is due February 5. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1) f for Legal.
Lindsley seconds. Roll call-District 1-yes; District 2-yes; District 3-yes
8:49 a.m. End Executive Session
8:49 a.m. Brandt moves to go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1) b 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. Brandt moves to go into Indigent proceedings pursuant to Idaho Code 31-874. Lindsley seconds. Roll call-District 1-yes; District 2-yes; District 3-yes
9:03 a.m. End Indigent-Brandt moves to deny 2026-0011. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
9:15 a.m. Teresa regarding claims:
Current Expense: $ 87,378.67
County Road & Bridge: $ 76,202.52
Airport: $ 16,091.88
Ambulance: $ 5,000.00
Emergency Comm: $ 57.64
District Court: $ 205.91
Idaho County Fair: $ 58,481.00
Junior College: $ 1,650.00
Solid Waste: $ 181,375.52
Noxious Weeds: $ 1,698.33
Snowmobile 25A: $ 707.50
Waterways: $ 2,098.32
Snowmobile 25B: $ 562.50
Broadband Infrastructure: $ 308,915.96
Total: $ 740,425.75
Brandt moves to approve the claims. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
9:30 a.m. Norma Staaf and Terry Law, Upriver Youth Leadership Council, present information about how the group got started and programming provided by their council. Commission commends these two board members on their efforts and success with the program.
10:06 a.m. Brandt opens Public Hearing on the Application for Waiver filed by Joyce Dearstyne on behalf of Framing Our Community. Ackerman swears in Joyce Dearstyne, who provides testimony regarding her application. Jessup questions reason for requesting a waiver-Dearstyne advises that since it is only one lot, access, water supply and public health requirements have been met. Brandt moves to approve a conditional waiver contingent upon a survey and legal description. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor. Dearstyne will forward the information once they have completed that requirement.
10:15 a.m. End Public Hearing
10:30 a.m. Meranda Small introduces Chelsea Tucker as the new office manager for the Extension Office. Small updates regarding Extension office activities to include judging the Lewis and Idaho County Fram Bureau Discussion Meet, a partnership with Kids Klub to each a beef cooking class, and the volunteer training course for those who oversee the horse project. Small advises that the Young Cattle Producer Conference planning has begun. Small fields questions from Commission regarding the Ambassador program and horseback access to the backcountry.
10:45 a.m. Brian Hewson questions Commission regarding radio hosting considerations to include Nez Perce County and Ada County. Hewson advises that we operate on a Solocom system, rather than a Motorola system—Solocom is being hosted by Bonneville County and Motorola by Ada. Nez Perce County is also now routing through Ada County-discussion. Discussion regarding the design of the Dispatch Center will be continued to a future date in order to determine a list of operational needs.
11:10 a.m. Jerry Zumalt presents update on FEMA road repairs-these are being held up due to funding holdbacks from Department of Homeland Security. Zumalt advises that several projects such as Ridgewood Drive, Fort Misery, have been approved by FEMA, but the project must be funded by DHS-discussion. Jessup will put together a letter to send to our Congressional delegation to see if we can get some traction with DHS.
11:25 a.m. Brandt moves to approve the minutes of the January 20 meeting. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the wage increase for Lark Perry in the Prosecutor’s Office. Lindsley 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 appoint Brad Higgins as our representative on the Stibnite Advisory Council. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the appointment of Nolene Weaver to the Board of Community Guardians. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the wage increase for Road Department employee, John Lee. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the wage increase for Recorder’s Office/Elections employee, Katey Hurd. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the letter of support for Kooskia EMS EMSAVE grant. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the renewed lease agreement with Kenneth Walters/Walters Ranch for the Riggins Dumpster Site. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for Little River Bait & Tackle, Palenque, Rae Bros. Sporting Goods, Big Iron Motel, Wolftrack Brewing, Idaho County Veterans Center, Salmon River Unlimited, Summerville’s Outcasts Diner and Sports Bar, Silver Dollar Bar, Root Ranch, Grangeville Country Club, Monastery of St. Gertrude, and Hoots Shop and Stay. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the Additional Meeting Requests for Brandt and Higgins for the IAC Mid-winter Conference. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the pre-pay quote for Microsoft 365 renewal. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Additional Meetings-Lindsley-February 12, 26- CEDA; Higgins-February 12-Stibnite Advisory Board, February 19-CMC, February 26-Public Health, February 11, 18, and 25-IAC Legislative Committee; Brandt-February 20-24-NACo Legislative Conference.
Brandt and Higgins update on various meetings.
11:53 a.m. Break for lunch.
1:00 p.m. Brandt moves to go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1) d for Records Exempt from Disclosure. Lindsley seconds. Roll call-District 1-yes; District 2-yes; District 3-yes
1:11 p.m. End Executive Session
Robert Simmons updates Commission on route list, number of containers and frequency of pick-up. Simmons presents updated numbers on excess tonnage, as well as billing for the excess in the amount of $103,852.80. Simmons updates on status of the Cottonwood Drop Location-advises that he is continuing to work with ITD on a turn lane-discussion. Lindsley questions Grangeville location, feels it is too far away-Simmons advises that there are no alternatives to this location. Additionally, if he purchases a new piece of property, they will have to begin the permitting process again. Simmons explains the differences in landfills that are being used and the problems with tires being thrown in the dumpster-discussion. Discussion regarding the Ag Solid Waste fee and the amount of ag waste that can be accepted from each farm enterprise.
2:05 p.m. Meeting Adjourned
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__________________________________ Chairman Attest
