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Franklin County commissioners approve CAPSA donation, land-use items and multiple department budgets
Summary
The board approved a $25,000 county donation to CAPSA (2–1), accepted Little Butte subdivision, approved a setback variance, and reviewed budgets and capital projects for fairgrounds, road and bridge, solid waste and weed departments.
Franklin County commissioners voted 2–1 to donate $25,000 to CAPSA for the current fiscal year and earmarked the same amount for next year after Franklin County Medical Center offered 300 square feet of office space for CAPSA. Chair Robert Swainston voted against the donation; Commissioners Boyd Burbank and Dirk Bowles supported it.
The board considered several department budgets and capital requests. Commissioners discussed fairgrounds improvements including a new Steer Barn and indoor horse arena; S & T Electric indicated removing two sheds might free power but commissioners noted the circuit is already overloaded. A negotiated Direct Communications quote to install fiber to the Robinson Building was agreed at $1,500 installation and $150 per month for service. Commissioners asked Road crews about tearing down old livestock barns and expressed interest in sealing the fairgrounds asphalt.
Road and Bridge officials requested modest increases in blades, fuel, repairs, chipping and salt funds and proposed purchasing a new grader and a mill to smooth county roads and railroad crossings. Officials said a DEQ Volkswagen grant will be used to purchase a new truck this summer, leaving the DEQ fund at $0 for FY2025.
Solid Waste requested increases in part-time staffing, training, fuel and repair funds, proposed combining oil and lube accounts, and said Capital Projects funds would buy new scales; commissioners agreed to raise landfill fees by less than 5%. The Weed Department requested funds for a truck and increased helicopter spraying, noting Dyers woad is particularly widespread this year; the Boat Inspection program budget will increase to $175,000 and remain open through October, funded by ISDA with the county receiving 10%.
On land-use matters, commissioners unanimously approved a setback variance for an agricultural building requested by Trevor Jensen (reducing setback from 80 feet to 60 feet) and accepted the Little Butte Class II subdivision after septic approval and state access confirmation; Mountain Haven Class I remains pending septic approval. They canvassed the May 21 primary election results (45% turnout) and approved the canvas unanimously. The board approved a lease agreement with Bancorp for a 2024 Ram aligned with the Sheriff budget.
The meeting included an executive session on personnel under Idaho Code §74-206(1)(b) and ended after returning from closed session.
Votes at a glance
- Adopt agenda: unanimous (motion by Boyd Burbank; second Dirk Bowles). - Approve bills: unanimous (motion by Dirk Bowles; second Boyd Burbank). - Letter of endorsement for EMSAVE grant: unanimous (Boyd Burbank/Dirk Bowles). - Sign Subgrant Amendments #HC1643 and #HC1393: unanimous (Dirk Bowles/Boyd Burbank). - CAPSA donation $25,000: passed 2–1 (Burbank, Bowles yes; Swainston no). - Preston Youth Football donation $3,500: unanimous. - Lease agreement (Bancorp for 2024 Ram): unanimous. - Setback variance (Trevor Jensen): unanimous. - Little Butte Class II subdivision: unanimous. - Canvas May 21 primary election results: unanimous.
The board scheduled an open house for the courthouse remodel and continues FY2025 budget deliberations; several capital projects will proceed to bidding or follow-up.
