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Caribou County discusses road repairs, courthouse remodel and approves $329,210.84 in claims
Summary
Commissioners approved paying $329,210.84 in claims and $139,111.62 in payroll, approved an assessor maintenance agreement, and discussed road damage, courthouse remodel, weed-control priorities, cloud-seeding fuel costs and U.S. Forest Service trail issues.
The Caribou County Board of Commissioners on March 12 approved claims totaling $329,210.84 and payroll claims totaling $139,111.62 and covered multiple operational items including road repairs, courthouse work, weed-control priorities and Forest Service coordination.
Kim Spencer, Road and Bridge Supervisor, asked the board to solicit bids for a welding shop at the Alexander site; commissioners approved seeking bids but noted pending litigation might prevent construction. Spencer reported a recently offered Road and Bridge position was declined and the department will offer the job to another interviewee. Maggies Road and Lago Liberty Road sustained spring-thaw damage and crews plan repairs when conditions dry.
Jordan Bodily, Courthouse and Grounds, said there is an electrical problem with the back-door keypads and that he is working with the manufacturer to resolve it. He reported the Veteran Service Office renovation is complete, the new court reporter is using attorneys' rooms for office space, a part-time employee resigned (replacement sought for 12–15 hours per week) and that he will check with contractors Meyers and Anderson about costs and seismic work to complete the courthouse remodel.
Aaron Cook, the county assessor, discussed acquiring a new copier/fax/scanner. Commissioner Phil Christensen moved to allow the assessor to accept a maintenance agreement; Commissioner Earl Somsen seconded and the motion passed unanimously (Rasmussen, Christensen, Somsen).
Weed Supervisor Scott Shuler outlined departmental priorities — roadsides, county sites, gravel pits, parks, special needs related to Forest Service and BLM lands, cooperative efforts with neighboring counties and establishing a Cooperative Weed Management Area — and said counties under 10,000 population must have an EPA Special Use Permit on file though a strategic plan may not be required. Shuler requested permission to attend a recertification training in Pocatello on March 21; the board approved the request. He and Commissioner Lloyd Rasmussen also reported attending a cloud‑seeding meeting where fuel costs were discussed and counties considered joint purchasing to lower prices.
Jack Isaac of the U.S. Forest Service told the board a trail past Jack Knife Bridge will be built, noted beaver damage at Squaw Creek, and said the Forest Service may lack funds to maintain some grading. He suggested a Schedule A agreement with the county for road work, said there are few Resource Advisory Council grants available, and indicated the Forest Service is considering raising group-site fees for Trail Canyon warming hut sites (amount in the transcript was listed as "15 65" without units or currency). Isaac asked the county to help with moving an archery range entrance 20–30 feet from the creek and to assist with gravel; no firm county commitment was recorded.
Commissioner Phil Christensen moved to pay claims in the amount of $329,210.84 and payroll claims in the amount of $139,111.62 and to approve the February 27, 2012 minutes as presented; Commissioner Earl Somsen seconded. The motion passed unanimously (Rasmussen, Christensen, Somsen). The board agreed to meet March 15, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Room to canvas election votes and adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
The meeting minutes include a detailed fund-by-fund listing of claims and trust accounts; the grand totals recorded in the minutes match the amounts approved at the meeting.
