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Soda Springs council adopts employee handbook, approves park resurfacing and grant applications
Summary
At its Feb. 4 meeting the Soda Springs City Council adopted a new employee handbook, approved resurfacing of the community basketball courts with up to $12,000 in city funds, and authorized several grant applications and a letter of support for the ITAFOS project; multiple departmental updates were also provided.
The Soda Springs City Council on Feb. 4 adopted the City of Soda Springs Employee Handbook and approved a series of community projects and grant submissions, including resurfacing the municipal basketball courts and submitting applications for energy and AARP grants.
Councilman Daniel Larsen moved to adopt the City of Soda Springs Employee Handbook dated Feb. 4, 2026; Councilman Ryan Carpenter seconded the motion and "all were in favor," according to the minutes. Larsen praised the handbook's breadth and thanked Clerk Andrea Haderlie and contributing staff for preparing the document.
The council approved a resurfacing project for the community basketball courts after a presentation from Alana Burns and Laura Lind. Burns and Lind said they would contribute $9,443 to the project and reported a $7,000 donation from Degerstrom; the council approved proceeding with a city contribution of up to $12,000 with a 50/50 split for remaining costs. The council directed staff to gather contractor bids for striping and to evaluate in-house versus contractor striping, coordinate pole removal and painting, and schedule work to aim for completion by the Fourth of July.
Council members also ratified submission of an Idaho Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant application (up to $50,000) and approved a letter of support for the ITAFOS Dry Ridge Extension Exploration Project Environmental Assessment. Councilwoman Paige Byram was authorized to submit an AARP Age-Friendly Community Project grant application (up to $15,000) for benches; motions on these items were seconded and recorded as carried.
Department heads provided operational updates: Director Jeff Young confirmed roughly 60 street signs have been replaced and reported barricade repairs and hydro-battery status; Director Dan Squires said the Fire Department turnout gear had been ordered with delivery estimated at about 100 days and that a mixer-bearing rebuild was arranged and would cost $24,000. Chief CeJay Golightly reminded residents to contact the police for non-emergencies rather than relying on social media.
Routine procedural business included dispensing with reading the Jan. 21 minutes and approving accounts payable (Jan. 19-31, 2026) and payroll for January 2026. The council adjourned after the public-comment period; the minutes were later passed and approved on Feb. 18, 2026.
Votes at a glance: the minutes record unanimous council votes ("all were in favor") on the employee handbook adoption, the basketball court project authorization (city contribution up to $12,000), ratification of the Idaho EECBG application, approval of the ITAFOS support letter, and authorization to apply for the AARP benches grant.
