Franklin County panel adopts $19 million budget, renews GIS contract and signs airport master plan

Franklin County Commissioners on Aug. 26 adopted a $19,027,215 county budget that includes 3% cost-of-living and 3% merit increases and relies on $5,577,462 in property-tax revenue, Clerk Camille Larsen said.

The action came during a public hearing the board opened and closed at the meeting; no members of the public commented. Commissioner Dirk Bowles made the motion to open the county budget hearing and to adopt the budget; Commissioner Boyd Burbank seconded and the board voted unanimously. Sheriff Dave Fryar told the commissioners that Cache County Jail is raising its per-inmate rate but remains a more economical and safer option for deputies compared with Caribou County.

In other business, the board renewed its contract with Oxford Mountain Analytics for GIS services after owner Eric Sant and mapper Tammy Henderson requested an increase in annual fees to $44,000. Commissioner Dirk Bowles moved to renew the contract; Commissioner Boyd Burbank seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The commissioners also approved an Airport Master Plan Grant Agreement with engineering firm Ardurra. Bowles said the project match is structured with 90% federal funding through the Federal Aviation Administration and 5% matches from the county and the city. Commissioners voted unanimously to sign the master plan. Bowles additionally updated the board on planned equipment purchases, saying the county is considering a Ford 550 with plow and sander for winter operations.

County maintenance supervisor Randy Henrie briefed the board on courthouse addition and remodeling work, reporting that electrical and heating crews will finish this week and that CAT inspected a county generator but did not determine why its batteries failed. Troy Moser said he would like to repurpose the old generator for the Search and Rescue building; commissioners agreed the unit will need a cement pad, an enclosure and electrician hookups before being moved.

The board agreed to provide a letter of support for Raven Ebanez’s education grant after a request from Jalen Tollefson, director of Franklin County Medical Center; Commissioner Dirk Bowles moved to sign the letter and Commissioner Boyd Burbank seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Boyd Burbank said he had received a complaint about early campaign signs and cited County Ordinance 153.277.D, which prohibits election signs more than 60 days before an election; Clerk Camille Larsen was directed to send letters asking for the signs’ removal until the allowed posting period.

The board also held and closed a public hearing on the county’s Abatement Budget, which Camille Larsen said is $283,373 with $275,702 funded by tax revenue. Commissioners adjourned at 10:17 a.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2024.

Votes at a glance: Adopt agenda — motion by Commissioner Boyd Burbank, second Dirk Bowles; unanimous. Approve bills — motion by Dirk Bowles, second Boyd Burbank; unanimous. Approve July 22 minutes — motion by Boyd Burbank, second Dirk Bowles; unanimous. Renew GIS contract with Oxford Mountain Analytics (fee increase to $44,000) — motion by Dirk Bowles, second Boyd Burbank; unanimous. Sign letter of support for Raven Ebanez (grant) — motion by Dirk Bowles, second Boyd Burbank; unanimous. Sign Airport Master Plan Grant Agreement (FAA 90%/County 5%/City 5%) — motion by Dirk Bowles, second Boyd Burbank; unanimous. Open/close public hearings on budgets — motions by Dirk Bowles and Boyd Burbank as recorded; unanimous. Adjourn — motion by Dirk Bowles, second Boyd Burbank; unanimous.