Caribou County commissioners decide to refund jail bonds and issue new debt

The Caribou County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Jan. 13 and decided to refund all outstanding jail bonds and move forward with issuing new bonds, the meeting minutes state.

Clerk Veda Mascarenas recorded that Commissioners Lloyd Rasmussen (chair), Earl Somsen and Phil Christensen were present, along with Treasurer Diane Crawford and Prosecuting Attorney Gregg Haney. Representatives from the county's financing and legal advisers — Cameron Arial of Zion's Bank and Nick Miller of the law firm Holly & Troxell (by telephone) — participated in the discussion.

According to the record, “the decision of the board of commissioners is to refund all bonds and start with a fresh slate with the new bonds.” The transcript does not include the text of a formal motion, identify who moved or seconded a motion, or provide a roll-call or tally of votes.

The minutes were signed by Commissioner Lloyd Rasmussen and attested by Clerk Veda Mascarenas, indicating the decision was entered into the official record. The transcript does not specify the size of the bonds, the expected savings from refinancing, the timetable for issuance, or any conditions tied to the refinancing.

County officials met with the bank and law firm to review options for refinancing the county jail debt; the record does not catalog alternative proposals, specific bond series, or lender terms. No subsequent steps, deadline for issuance, or required approvals are recorded in the minutes.

The special-session minutes close with the signatures formalizing the record; the transcript does not show additional debate, a recorded vote, or numerical details of the refinancing. The county clerk's office would be the source for the finalized bond documents and any future agenda item detailing terms or vote records.