Chantelle presented three indigent cremation applications to the Bannock County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 23: cases 20260007 and 20260009, each for $1,500, were recommended for denial under Idaho Code 31‑3403 because the county was not identified as the last resource; case 20260008, also $1,500, was recommended for approval because no responsible party for repayment was available and the deceased was an 80‑year‑old Bannock County resident who was not a veteran.

The recommendation and evidence were offered by Chantelle, who said the district review concluded the county was not the payer of last resort for the first two applications. In response, Commissioner Mister Jerry moved to deny cases 20260007 and 20260009 and to approve case 20260008; the commission voted unanimously in favor and authorized the county to sign releases of liens related to the approved case.

Why it matters: Idaho Code 31‑3403 governs county assistance for final disposition and establishes last‑resort payment rules; commissioners applied that statute when weighing each application and recorded the vote on the public record.

The commission’s action resolved the three pending indigent‑assistance requests and directs the clerk’s office to execute the administrative steps for the approved case.