STATE OF IDAHO
County of Idaho
JANUARY SESSION JANUARY 6, 2026 FIRST TERM DAY
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9:00 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.
Kathy Ackerman presents the voting precincts for 2026-no changes. Brandt moves to approve the Designation of Voting Precincts as presented. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
9:05 a.m. Brandt moves to approve the minutes of the December 23 meeting. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the Orders for Cancellation as per Abbie Hudson. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve Idaho County Resolution 2026-01 for Destruction of Records. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the Order Granting Wavier for Mark McColloch. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Brandt moves to approve the Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for Seasons, The Depot, Depot Express, Grangeville Depot, Seven Devils Steakhouse, Kooskia Mart, Grangeville Gun Club, Jungle Gym’s, Simmons Endeavors LLC. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Additional Meetings: Higgins-January 8-Stibnite Advisory; January 22-Public Health. Brandt and Higgins-January 26-29-IAC Mid-winter Conference.
9:15 a.m. Teresa regarding claims:
Current Expense: $ 40,937.30 County Road & Bridge: $ 2,260.80
Airport: $ 757.68 Emergency Comm: $ 687.28
Junior College: $ 450.00 Appraisal: $ 948.75
Solid Waste: $ 181,623.59 Search & Rescue: $ 7,449.92
Election Consol.: $ 913.60 Noxious Weeds: $ 981.31
Snowmobile 25A: $ 14.99 Snowmobile 25B: $ 1,776.49
Broadband Infra.: $ 389,339.51
Total: $ 628,141.22
Higgins moves to approve the claims. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
9:30 a.m. Jerry Zumalt updates regarding the radio repeater location moves and base station relocation-discussion. Commission questions whether the subscriptions for Starlink could be covered with E911 fees-Zumalt advises that the E911 fees are meant to support Dispatch services. Discussion regarding the exclusive use of Starlink. Zumalt advises that the White Bird and Kidder Ridge projects have agreements waiting for signature.
9:52 a.m. Monica Walker presents request for renewal for Spillman-Michael Brown advises that Spillman operates on a different server platform-discussion. Brandt moves to approve the quote for updating the server for $11,401.24. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
10:00 a.m. Scott Dunning updates regarding bids for updating the weed shop. Brandt moves to approve the quote from Clearwater Building and Repair for $21,932.80. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Dunning updates regarding search for new vehicle and ATVs-discussion. Higgins moves to approve the ATV purchase-2025 Pioneer 1000 from Tackett’s. Lindsley seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
10:15 a.m. Kim Nuxoll updates Commission on transaction numbers for vehicle registrations for the purpose of estimating the revenue that could be generated through a voter approved optional additional vehicle registration fee-discussion. Commission asks Nuxoll to get specific number of registrations in each highway district. Lindsley moves to move forward with pursuing the optional fee. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
10:38 a.m. Ackerman updates regarding the revised Idaho County Employee Handbook. Brandt moves to approve the updated handbook. Higgins seconds. Motion carries with all in favor.
Meeting moved to the District Courtroom for 11:00 a.m. agenda item-York Ranch Lake
11:00 a.m. Brandt opens discussion regarding the York Ranch Lake MOU, version 4. Brandt advises that written comments have been received, but will not be read into the record.
Lindsley reads opening statement in support of the project in light of the responsibilities of the County Commissioners.
Lindsley advises that there was a petition circulated showing support for the project-requests more time to put the project together.
Brandt advises that while he initially supported the project, he feels it has moved beyond the original scope of county involvement-suggests either incorporation as a city or for the community to form a recreation district. Lindsley advises that he feels the community is united as based on a meeting he held in Elk City on January 5-discussion. National Guard Lt. Col. Williams via Zoom advises that the National Guard can work with any Public Entity, including a recreation district. Stuart Malley, engineer, via Zoom speaks regarding the engineering process for the project. Lindsley questions Fish & Game officers Clay Hickey and Lance Nichols regarding the recreational benefit of the project-discussion. Higgins advises that he is generally in favor of the project, but feels that his obligation is to all of the taxpayers of Idaho County and that he feels the lease creates financial and liability exposure for the next ninety nine years.
Carla, resident of Elk City, reads letter from Tally Lovell in support. Julia York advises that the lease is legally binding and requests that the Commission honor their obligation.
Lindsley questions Matt Jessup regarding future liability. Jessup addresses various possible circumstances that could create liability. Lindsley questions Jessup whether or not the County has other activities that create liability. Higgins advises that the County is exposed to liability through state mandated services-recreation is not a state mandated service.
Higgins moves that Idaho County abandon the lease with the Yorks and immediately cease further work on this project. Brandt seconds. Motion carries with Higgins and Brandt in favor. Lindsley opposed.
11:34 a.m. Meeting adjourned.
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Chairman Attest
