Jefferson County commissioners approved the Bobcat Flats Commercial Subdivision Division 1, a short plat creating nine commercial lots off County Line Road in the county's heavy-industrial zone, and later approved a new job description for a county engineer.

On the subdivision item, staff said the development fronts County Line Road between the county landfill and an agricultural business and that the plat includes a 50-foot right-of-way along the property frontage and a private road maintenance agreement. Commissioners and planning staff discussed surface-water rights for irrigation and whether lots will be able to rely on existing surface rights or need wells; planning staff said water-right ownership and irrigation needs had not been fully documented on the plat and recommended the developer follow up on water rights and well requirements with Idaho Department of Water Resources.

Why it matters: The subdivision creates commercial lots in a heavy-industrial area adjacent to county infrastructure and transfer operations; water-rights and well-permitting questions may affect future uses.

County engineer job description: The board also approved a newly drafted county engineer job description intended to provide technical plan review, specifications and standards for county roads, and staff support for capital projects. The commissioners edited language to emphasize the engineer will 'assist' rather than 'oversee' and to clarify the engineer's role is technical support rather than supervisory authority over other departments. The board asked staff to include responsibility for maintaining a transportation plan and a road-maintenance strategic plan.

Discussion versus decision: The subdivision plat passed on motion and roll-call vote. The new job description was approved after several wording edits to avoid implying supervisory authority and to clarify transportation planning responsibilities.

Ending note: Staff will follow up with the developer concerning water-right details, and Human Resources will proceed with recruitment steps for the newly approved county engineer position consistent with the job description.