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Commissioners approve Boise State evacuation survey, extend Mitchell Excavations contract and fund 44 Firewise grants
Summary
Valley County approved a Boise State University evacuation survey to be mailed to landowners, extended a contractor deadline, approved two landowner agreements and funded 44 Firewise grants out of 70 applications, covering an estimated 118 acres if completed.
At the June 9 meeting Valley County Commissioners approved multiple items from the county’s fire-mitigation program: an extension of a contractor deadline, county participation in a Boise State University (BSU) evacuation survey, two landowner agreements, and the awarding of 44 Firewise grants from 70 applications.
Fire mitigation director Mara told commissioners that Jeffrey Miller Excavations’ contract would be extended to June 30 to allow completion after a late snow and wetter spring. The commission moved, seconded and approved the one-month extension.
Mara asked for approval to distribute an evacuation survey prepared by Boise State University that will carry the Valley County logo. She said BSU will mail the survey to landowners in the zones that evacuated during last year’s wildfire and will also host an online survey option. Commissioners approved the county’s participation and the use of the county logo; Mara described the survey as a tool to evaluate whether social media, CodeRED and other channels provided adequate evacuation information and to inform future planning and grant opportunities.
Mara presented two landowner agreements—one referenced as "Andher Durie" for work near Kings Pine and one tied to an East McCall parcel off Elo Road (referred to as "East McCall Claro" during the meeting). Commissioners approved both landowner agreements and Mara said more acreage amendments will follow when parcels are finalized.
On the Firewise grant program, commissioners approved funding for 44 projects from a total of 70 applications, a program Mara said has run five years. If all funded work is completed as proposed, the funded grants would cover about 118 acres. Mara said the county allocated funds to community efforts, including work adjacent to a heavily used trail near Leisure Park in Cascade (noted as a City of Cascade project). She reported 21 awarded grants in the Cascade area this year, six in Donnelly and 17 in McCall and said the program is seeking sustainable funding options as federal allocations are uncertain.
Actions recorded: the commission approved the one-month contract extension for Jeffrey Miller Excavations, authorized the Boise State evacuation study with the county logo, approved two landowner agreements, and approved the 2025 Valley County Firewise grantees. Each motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Mara and commissioners noted the outputs of the BSU survey could support future emergency funding requests and help guide evacuation routing improvements, including West Mountain Road concerns.
