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Jefferson County commissioners adopt local disaster declaration, approve school nursing and cleanup contracts and rezoning
Summary
On May 18, 2026, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners adopted a proclamation of local disaster emergency for wildfire season and approved multiple contracts including a school nursing agreement with USD #339, four‑year cyber monitoring, a Lakeshore Estates cleanup contract, and a rezoning and three‑lot subdivision for Lasher Estates; the board tabled 2027 budget items for 4‑H and JCSO.
Commissioner David Christy called the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners to order at 1 p.m. on May 18, 2026. The board adopted a local disaster proclamation for wildfire season, approved a slate of county contracts and a rezoning, and held several executive sessions; the board also tabled two budget items for 2027.
Emergency Manager Keith Jeffers presented Resolution 2026‑011, a proclamation of a State of Local Disaster Emergency for Jefferson County covering wildfire risk beginning May 18, 2026. Commissioner Doug Walbridge moved to adopt Resolution 2026‑011; Commissioner Richard Malm seconded and the motion carried with the board voting "all in favor." The resolution was adopted to provide the county with a formal disaster posture for the period described in the proclamation.
Wanda Agnew, Jefferson County Health Administrator, asked the board to approve a contract between the Jefferson County Health Department and Unified School District No. 339 to provide registered nurses in schools for the 2026–2027 school year. Agnew said county nurses will follow Jefferson County Health Department policies and the employee job description established by the department. Commissioner Doug Walbridge moved to sign the contract; Commissioner Richard Malm seconded and the motion carried.
Scott Ribordy, the county IT director, told the board that cyber‑security breach monitoring for affected individuals would be extended to four years at a total additional cost of $644.40 under terms offered by Eckert, Seamans Attorneys at Law. Commissioner Doug Walbridge moved to approve the four‑year monitoring term; Commissioner Richard Malm seconded and the motion carried.
County Counselor Josh Ney presented a contractor agreement with Ken Newman of Rock On, LLC to perform authorized clean‑up activities on county‑owned properties in Lakeshore Estates Blocks A and B. The contract runs from May 18, 2026, through August 15, 2026. Commissioner Doug Walbridge moved to approve the agreement; Commissioner Richard Malm seconded and the motion carried.
Community Development Director Stephan Metzger presented zoning case PR2026‑03 and Z2026‑03 (Lasher Estates — Lasher/Dorsey), a request to rezone two existing tracts from AG to RR and SR and to create a three‑lot subdivision. Metzger reported no protest petition was filed during the 14‑day period after the public hearing. Commissioner Doug Walbridge moved to approve PR2026‑03 and Z2026‑03; Commissioner Richard Malm seconded and the motion carried.
A local resident, Richard Quimby, urged the county to cut expenses in infrastructure, cabling, communications services, IT support and managed security and compliance; Quimby said he has discussed options with the IT director.
The board approved a company credit card for Katie Chaney, Law Librarian. The board recessed into multiple executive sessions to discuss attorney–client privileged matters and personnel (employee recruitment and retention); the chair announced that no binding action was taken during those sessions. The chair also announced that the 2027 budget items for 4‑H and the Jefferson County Service Organization (JCSO) were tabled for future action.
County Counselor Josh Ney introduced a new intern, Vincent Schiffiano. The board adjourned and scheduled its next regular meeting for Monday, June 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., due to the Memorial Day holiday.
