Safer Streets, Smarter Spending, Stronger Forests
The Commissioner meeting was called to order on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Commissioner Joe Iveson opened with a motion to approve the consent agenda. With Commissioner Viki Purdy’s absence, Commissioner Daren Ward made up the vote to unanimously approve.
A local resident requested action regarding a building permit initially obtained in 2019. She explained, “We got our building permit in 2019…all the contractors were booked until the following year…2020 came around, COVID hit, everything was expensive, things were hard to get.” She further stated that they attempted construction multiple times but decided to place a single-wide modular home in the property instead and requested either a deduction or refund of permit fees. Building Inspector Kody Williams reviewed the ordinance, noting that “after the first 60 days, it expired…then two years, which is the maximum for a normal building permit, it would have expired in ‘21.” Records showed that the resident had emailed in February 2023, requesting an extension, although no formal response was recorded. Commissioners Daren Ward and Joe Iveson discussed precedent, with Iveson stating, “If we’ve never allowed it before, I don’t know how we can allow it now.” Ultimately, both Commissioners decided they must “follow the standards of the county” and declined to refund or waive the permit fees.
The discussion then turned to remediation efforts for mold in the city facility that the county is preparing to purchase. Three estimates were presented: $50,000, $47,000, and $27,000. Williams explained, “This is going to fluctuate a little bit…but they all basically have the same plan.” Post-remediation air quality testing was recommended to ensure the area is “entirely safe.” Board members discussed preventative measures, such as sump pumps and fixing the sprinkler system, which had been identified as the original water source creating issues. Further discussion on testing the mold type was initiated by Clerk Sherry Ward, stressing, “I think it’s very important to know that because down the road if someone is over there and they get sick, you kind of need to know what’s going on there.” Williams had been advised through third-party disaster response and hazmat companies that identifying the mold species would not change the remediation process, but could be performed for approximately $1,500. Given concerns about health risks, the Commissioners decided to proceed with testing.
Waste Management head Steve Shelton joined the meeting to discuss truck purchases and equipment issues. Shelton provided an update on vehicle procurement, explaining, “I wanted to get a flatbed, so I had them give me a price on it… it raised it about… to $66,000.” The group compared prices between Ford and Chevrolet, comparing comfort, cab configurations, and cost. Alternative flatbed suppliers were considered to potentially reduce costs. The board encouraged Shelton to gather quotes quickly so that orders can be made before the fiscal year.
Shelton reported ongoing issues with the loader, describing how, after re-installation of the part, “the loader just went ballistic again.” He outlined repair options, including reprogramming or switching to a manual pump, estimating costs of about $5,000 plus labor. Iveson and Ward weighed the equipment’s value, with Commissioner Ward asking what the loader was worth and estimating its value at $25,000. After discussion, the consensus was to proceed with the manual rebuild to protect the county’s previous investment.
Clerk Sherry Ward reviewed levy rates, reporting that they are $3 dollars less than last year. Conversation turned to tax policy in Florida, with members expressing curiosity about how property tax elimination could work. They discussed alternative revenue sources such as sales tax and weighed the trade-offs. The group shared concerns about rising insurance costs, with Commissioner Ward breaking down his own insurance expenses as an example. The members present connected this to the importance of wildfire mitigation and expressed hope that the Forest Service would conduct long-delayed burns. They discussed neighbors’ varying participation in mitigation efforts. Commissioners Ward and Iveson expressed their views on forestry management, noting they wanted responsible logging rather than total clear-cutting: “We want our grandkids to see beautiful timber… We want to log the burnt stuff and replant and get that thing growing as quick as possible,” Said Iveson. Commissioners went on to express frustration that foresters were not replanting after fires and called for reinvestment of logging revenue back into local projects. This topic sparked some reflection regarding the County’s working relationship with Northwest Management and the consistent dedication shown by Carol Walsh, the County’s Emergency Management Coordinator.
Concerns were raised that some may perceive Northwest Management’s services as expensive due to outside feedback, even though the County is not directly paying for those services. Both Commissioners agreed that Northwest’s rates are competitive compared to other counties and that the work being done provides significant value. The two Commissioners also discussed transparency around grant funding. They expressed a desire to better understand how much was paid for in stewardship projects, noting that while this information is reported through the grant system, it is not often visible to them. They highlighted that Walsh’s contributions are invaluable and that replacing her would be difficult. To bring the subject to a close, Commissioners Ward and Iveson agreed that while the work is funded by taxpayer dollars, it is primarily grant money from the Forest Service. They expressed overall satisfaction and appreciation toward the results of Walsh’s and Northwest Management’s efforts.
Sheriff Ryan Zollman opened with a discussion regarding surplus vehicles. An agreement was made to complete the surplus process and coordinate the transport of vehicles to ERS in Nampa for equipment removal. It was noted that the process would take time, with completion expected by October. The room also agreed that transporting all vehicles at one time would be ideal. The conversation shifted to the process of disposing of equipment of minimal value. It was confirmed that old consoles, printers, and chairs could be discarded without formal motions.
Discussion then moved to the purchase of the City buildings and the need for security upgrades. Homeland Security funds are available to add keycard access and cameras. Zollman explained, “The process to get stuff through Homeland Security is a pretty lengthy process. So the quicker we can get him in there to look at that and do the quote, the quicker that stuff can actually be installed.” Commissioners agreed that the east and west doors should have keycard access and assured Zollman they would submit marked maps showing preferred camera placement. Technology considerations were also discussed, including upgrading the camera server to handle new camera formats and ensuring a fiber connection between buildings.
Operational updates included staffing and housing status with 25 state inmates and two county inmates. The discussion turned to quickly address facility maintenance, including installing metal siding to protect equipment from sun exposure. Commissioners asked to obtain quotes with the knowledge that there is plenty of room in the budget. Additional topics included ammunition purchasing, with concerns over pricing. The room agreed to review and compare costs before making a purchase.
Adam Balderson, head of Road and Bridge, reported that road blading efforts have resumed after temporary equipment breakdowns. Although one blade was out of service, they utilized two water trucks with a remaining operational blade to continue maintenance and improve conditions. Community members have expressed appreciation for these efforts, with one resident specifically noting that the road work made a noticeable difference.
West Fork Road was highlighted as being in particularly poor condition. Plans to fix the road and place additional 25-mile-per-hour speed limit signs are in the works. It is Balderson’s hope that the signs will encourage drivers to slow down, making a point that speed affects general road deterioration. While the Commissioners recognized that such signage may not fully deter speeding, they noted that it could provide reassurance to residents. Finally, the board reflected on increased traffic in the area over the past five years and observed that while wild game populations appear lower than in previous decades, wildlife remains present.
