Law Enforcement (Sheriff, Waterways, E911, Search & Rescue)

Sheriff Doug Williams reported ongoing challenges with deputy wages and lack of available housing, impacting recruitment and retention. Public and officer safety remain top concerns as the department is currently understaffed, increasing risks of burnout and reduced officer presence.

The Sheriff referenced a recent tragic incident in Tremonton, where two officers were killed—a loss that would have reduced the county’s staffing by 50%. Deputies are stretched thin and face traumatic situations regularly, including death and abuse cases, which take an emotional toll.

Due to unique circumstances, it is difficult to compare wages with other departments. The Sheriff plans to gather more data at upcoming conferences to propose an enticing starting wage and hopes to develop a five-year staffing and compensation plan.

Chief Deputy Jenny Hawkes was nominated for Idaho’s top School Resource Officer award, an honor regardless of outcome.

Planning & Zoning

Planning & Zoning Administrator Rhonda Neal expressed thanks to the commissioners for the ability to hire additional staff, noting it has significantly relieved workload pressures in the P&Z office. The volume of applications is increasing, and outside parties have commended the office for timely processing. Continuous improvements to the application process are being made. Rhonda also handles code enforcement and complaints that come through her office.

The Comprehensive Plan update is underway, with a public hearing scheduled for September 3. Documents will be presented to the Board following the hearing.

The current 1-year plan includes completion of the Comprehensive Plan updates, refining development code provisions, and strengthening enforcement of active violations.  Part of the 5-year plan includes anticipating growth which may require expanded staffing and enforcement capacity to meet demand.

Mrs. Neal reported that the current fee schedule is effective, with developers paying fees upon application submission. Assistant Darla Tombaugh manages billing, invoicing, and collections efficiently, aiming to have fees paid or current by fiscal year-end. Some developers opt for a one-time payment upon project completion.

Prosecuting Attorney

Attorney Ethan Rawlings remains very busy, with fellow Attorney Preston Olson assisting frequently, particularly with initial arraignments. The Idaho State Police is a referring agency nearly as often as the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.

On the prosecution side, support continues for Planning & Zoning matters, with Preston Olson working closely with the administrator and attending relevant meetings.

Case dismissals remain low, reflecting thorough preparation and prosecution. One dismissal was due to a victim’s refusal to cooperate, which is beyond law enforcement control.

This year, the office has handled a total of 395 adult cases—275 county and 120 city—including 13 felonies, 68 misdemeanors, and 314 infractions. Juvenile cases total 12, with 2 felonies and 10 misdemeanors.

Probation

The Probation Department reports that operations are going well, with any arising issues being effectively addressed. Progress continues in both juvenile and adult misdemeanor cases, though overall numbers remain lower compared to the past year, even as community incidents increase. 

Priorities for the next quarter include expanding partnerships with neighboring counties to address resource gaps, continued training in evidence-based supervision practices, and developing a safety equipment policy to be presented once the budget is approved. Tutoring funds remain available to hire someone to take over that role from Gabe.

Kristi Christopherson is also recognized for her exceptional work managing Drug Court misdemeanants in addition to her regular caseload. Her dedication and attention to detail have a positive impact on both client outcomes and team morale. Melissa Peck has also been a valuable addition to the department, bringing professionalism and consistency to felony probation supervision.

Treasurer/ Tax Collector/ Public Administrator

The Treasurer’s Office reports strong performance in tax collections. Staff are actively working with parcel owners on Fiscal Year 2022 delinquent taxes to help them pay in full and avoid the tax deed process, which is scheduled to begin in January 2026. As of now, only about $15,000 remains delinquent across approximately 12 properties from 2022. In July alone, $90,325.55 in delinquent payments was collected. The total outstanding delinquent balance for tax years 2022, 2023, and 2024 stands at $163,780.62. The office remains hopeful that no tax deeds will be necessary this year.

Investments continue to perform well. While interest rates have slightly declined, bonds and CDs are still offering favorable returns.

The Treasurer also attended the 100th Anniversary Conference of the Idaho Treasurer’s Group. Highlights included a University of Idaho professor speaking on common myths surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), cautioning that AI-generated content must be carefully vetted. A special Olympian speaker emphasized the importance of putting heart and soul into every endeavor, leaving a strong impression on attendees.

County Fair

Ken Moss Jr. of the Oneida County Fair Board reported that the fair was successful and concluded without major issues. The barn extension was completed prior to the fair, with the exception of the gates, which are on backorder. While not fully utilized, the new space was still put to good use. Attendance was strong overall, though Monday’s horse pulls had the lowest turnout and cost approximately $6,000 to host—potential adjustments may be considered for future years. Thursday’s rodeo had the lowest attendance of the week, but both Friday and Saturday events were very well attended. Moss noted that the fair follows three consecutive weekends of horse races, and Board members worked extremely hard to make it all happen. The Board of Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the Fair Board’s time, effort, and dedication.