Claims were paid and minutes approved as the consent agenda.

Airport Board

The airport board spoke to the commissioners about snow removal during the winter.  Infrastructure for the airport contributes to the county, and it was suggested that its care and maintenance should be a priority.  The $2.39 million cost of the new runway and other items was from grant money.  The airport serves the community in a multitude of ways, from medical air support to instruction.  Roxanne Albretson explained that last winter the airport board had spent over $30K on snow removal for the airport.  Dianna Dredge from Road and Bridge explained that the runway, though made of asphalt, was not technically in the county’s road inventory, and therefore was not covered by the state fuel tax funds covering county roads and bridges.  Dredge stated that it was not permitted to use funds from that budget to maintain infrastructure that was not listed on the county inventory of roads.  Time and employee resources were also factors mentioned by Dredge as obstacles to the county’s maintenance of the airport.  She felt that the runway could be maintained by adding an hour onto the plow route, but that it would not be feasible to also plow the hangar entrances and taxiways.  The county Road and Bridge offered the use of an older vehicle which is available to aid in snow removal.  

 The potential of adding the runway to the county’s road inventory was raised, though it was not known at what level such as decision would need to be made (that is, it may require a legislative action to allow for that change).  Dredge committed to continuing to remove snow from the runway, but was not able to guarantee the same for the other areas of the airport without additional funds for equipment, time, and employee hours.  Chairman Lewis was of the opinion that the county could provide funding to the Road and Bridge department in order to support the plowing of the airport.  Lewis emphasized that he felt it was important for various departments within the county government to work together toward the common cause of supporting the county as a whole.  Lewis mentioned that Max Firth had related to him that the county used to perform snow removal on both the runway and taxi strip, but that such was done after the bus routes and major town arterials were cleared.  “I think we can be patient and all work together on these things,” Lewis said.

The airport board explained that they would be able to purchase or rent equipment for snow removal, but were themselves not as efficient with the use of it as RB would be.  It was hoped that there may be some way to fund the RB dept for the service in part, rather than hire an outside contractor.  

The airport board and RB tentatively discussed plans for snow removal this winter.  Chairman Lewis suggested paying the funds that would have been paid by the airport to rent a loader to the Road and Bridge department.  The involved parties agreed to move forward with RB agreeing to clear the runway and provide a truck to the airport for use in clearing the other areas.  Budget reserved for snow removal and truck rental was seen as the likely funding source, though that element of the process will not be finalized until after RB has had a chance to examine what would be required on the site.  

It was agreed that the airport was an important county asset, and should be supported as much as possible, though the issue of funding county properties that were not technically roads was discussed.  Looking further into the possibility of adding the airport to the road inventory was also seen as a necessary next step.  

A motion to allow $20K from the airport budget designated for tractor rental and equipment should be made available to pay for snow removal as it becomes an issue.  The motion was passed.

Bids for a security gate to separate it from the Crisis Center and provide a secure entrance have been received.  This will be the first step toward a full chainlink perimeter fence.  The gate will have an access code.  A grant is being sought for fencing to update and improve the current fencing.  The board requested the use of unused funds for the sealcoat process (which ended up being fully covered by a grant) for the security gate. 

Future plans to add more hangars to the facility have also been under discussion.  The first step in preparing the build will be to wire in electrical infrastructure.  A transformer will need to be installed after the road has been bored.  The airport board feels that it should be possible to purchase and install the transformer for under $20K.  

A motion to approve the use of budget funds for the security gate passed for $22,100.  Chairman Lewis felt that he would rather wait for more specific information before moving on the power transformer.

Sheriff

Sheriff Arne Jones spoke to the commissioners about comp time arrangements between the sheriff’s office and the county.  Under the current staffing numbers, there has not been an option for employees to be able to use comp time in a reasonable manner.  A recently hired officer will need until at least the end of next spring before they are able to begin patrolling fulltime.  Chairman Lewis expressed his belief that it was the responsibility of department heads to ensure that employees are not at the maximum level of PTO.  The sheriff explained that during normal operations, employees are encouraged to use PTO and comp time so that they do not lose it.  However, under the emergency staffing situation regular use of PTO and comp time has not been possible.  Both patrol officers and dispatch are understaffed at the moment.  Because there is a need for a baseline levels of staff in the department, there is not any room for flexibility.  

Payouts for comp time over 150 hours are in the policy manual.  The main issue discussed was the unavailability of part time employees to allow for days off to utilize PTO.  Commissioner Jeppsen raised the issue of more clearly defining what each department defines as “emergency” status where PTO days are unavailable.  

Commissioner Eliason asked about the usage of PTO and Comp time within the sheriff’s office.  

Attorney Brower explained the county’s guidelines for comp time, which should automatically be paid out for hours over 150.  He suggested that the county needed to manage comp time directly and consistently to avoid issues with federal law.  Brower suggested that the commissioners should review and evaluate comp time hours on a monthly basis.  This would allow for future planning to avoid problems with accrual.  He explained that comp time represents a liability for the county, which should be carefully managed to avoid significant budgetary expenses as a result.   

Commissioner Jeppsen questioned when the Sheriff’s office felt that the emergency status would be likely to end.  The staffing issues were discussed, along with a timeline for remedying the situation.  It was felt that within a month or so the newly hired officer would be able to help move the department off an emergency footing.  The sheriff explained that 4 fulltimers were needed at minimum to manage hours and staff effectively.  

Commissioner Lewis motioned to pay out comp time for the periods between August 13 to November 3 for dispatchers, which means that every hour of overtime would be paid out at time and a half.  The motion was passed.

Comp time

Several other county employees were close to the 500 hours of PTO.  It had been suggested to pay those individuals down to 400 hours.  Chairman Lewis proposed that all employees who accumulate over 500 hours of PTO should be paid down to 500 during the months noted.  This includes deputies, dispatch, road and bridge, and the clerk’s office.  The motion passed.

Attorney Brower reiterated the idea that incorporating a discussion into commission meetings would be wise, and allow for more consistent application of the compensation rules.  He suggested a significant review of the history and current rules in place at the county level.   It was agreed to meet further to discuss the causes and solutions of the situation in various departments.

The sheriff proposed that the county’s civil deputy should be compensated for performing duties within the drivers license office.  

 The sheriff also requested a walk through from the county commissioners explaining the plans for the downstairs level of the courthouse.   Chairman Lewis asked the sheriff for a specific list about what he would like to see happen to that section of the building.  The commissioners suggested that they would join the sheriff the next day for such a walkthrough.   

Contract with 

Pathological Services

Ada County provides pathology to Oneida County under a contract between the two entities.  Bannock County will soon be providing similar services, though not until later in the year.  Bannock County’s agreement is not exclusive, and would give Oneida County flexibility when services were needed.  The agreement with Ada county was signed after a motion to do so.

Commissioner Jeppsen asked about situations that required an autopsy to be performed, outside of a homicide.  County Attorney Brower suggested that it was not common in the county, though he also felt that pathological services were underutilized in the county.  He felt that the proximity to Bannock County would be beneficial to providing such a service to the community more readily.  Brower stated that requests for autopsies generally originate with the coroner or the prosecuting attorney, and that it was generally a criminal concern.  When asked if families could request an autopsy from the county, Brower answered that they could, although if it were not requested by one of the aforementioned offices it would be a private expense.   

Brower explained that while the attorney’s office was generally not involved in requesting autopsies, questionable deaths are important to get right in the process.  Suicides and unexpected deaths were often involved.

County Attorney 

replacement

The Republican Central Committee, which is responsible for nominating a replacement for the county attorney’s position, spoke with Cody Brower and Bill Lewis by phone.  Wednesday, 18, the RCC will be interviewing candidates to fill the position.  After the interviews, the Committee will submit up to three names to the county commission for consideration.  So far, the committee has received one application.  Brower mentioned that the housing market was creating some hardship in the job search.  Another factor was the recent retirement of Power County’s Prosecuting Attorney, which will be hired sooner than Brower’s replacement.  The job market in larger counties is also a negative for Oneida County.  Brower mentioned that a contracted individual from outside the county could also be pursued, although the position could only be filled that way until the next election in two years.

The Republican Central Committee is responsible for nominating Brower’s replacement due to the statute that gives that authority to the elected official’s declared party of record for the election.  Under the statute, the Committee does not have to select candidates who are affiliated members of the Republican party, however, if the Committee cannot come to a decision, then that responsibility falls on the county commissioners, who will choose from the pool of nominee.  If there are three or fewer interested attorneys within the county, a provision allows for contracting outside the county.  Brower’s last day as county attorney is November 8.  He is working to find a temporary replacement during the transition.  

Weed Control Drone

Commissioner Eliason reported on progress toward the purchase of a drone for use by the Weed department.  Drones from neighboring counties have been viewed to determine what kind of technology would needed for Oneida County.

Narrows Project 

refund

The county will be reimbursed for funds contributed during the Narrows project, which total a bit over thirty thousand dollars.  The funds will be returned to the Road and Bridge department’s budget.

Great Idaho Shakeout

Commissioner Jeppsen explained the upcoming Great Idaho ShakeOut, which is scheduled for 10:19 a.m. on October 19 across the state of Idaho.  The exercise is a test of the emergency communications systems in Idaho that would be called upon during a disaster.  The RACOON Radio Club will be participating in the exercise, with club members taking on a number of tasks designed to coordinate and test the communications infrastructure through a simulated earthquake.  

Naylor water study

Attorney Brower providing his opinion on a recently conducted water study, in preparation for a public hearing on rezoning.  The rezoning request was denied by the county as a result of the fact that the development under question was able to be handled with a one-time split, rather than a rezone.  The rezone request is back on the schedule for consideration, and may still be held.  Brower felt that the county should not be required to compensate the developers for the study.

One time expenses

The commissioners discussed the range of one-time expenses that have been approved, or are on the table for approval.