County Commission Caribou April 22

Kevin McClain

McClain spoke to the commissioners about bills for two components for the SuperDuty and an actuator.  The price for the actuator was discussed, and Kevin agreed to check for cheaper sources for the purchase.  

Toponce Creek drone footage was displayed, showing where the water has been diverted from its natural flow, causing flooding at some residences.  The county is trying to figure out how to get involved landowners to agree on the situation moving forward, as the flooding is becoming an emergency situation which is affecting the road and private property.  The state is responsible for enforcing and maintaining waterways.  

The commissioners discussed the next steps for addressing the issue, but agreed that something needed to be done to remedy the situation.  

The RB is planning to start putting millings on several roads.

Summer help applications have been received, and the clerk’s office will begin going through them.

Sheriff Mabey

The Sheriff reported on the Quad county meeting about a contract for weekenders. Brady Hawk put together a contract to that effect.  Inmates from Franklin county are currently in an agreement with Cache County.  Because an election in the county is underway, it is unclear what the county will want to do in the future.  It is against regulations for inmates to be moved across state lines, and the current situation is likely to be untenable.  

The gate for the detention facility was discussed.  Funding for the project will come from ARPA funds.  $31,631 approved from Curb Appeal garage doors.

Sheriff Mabey reported on his trip to Quantico for training from the Bureau of Prisons and National Sheriff’s Institute; two things he reported on were that out of 23 sheriffs from Green Bay to El Centro, all were struggling with retention of detention officers; the other is that the facility in CC was seen as being a good one by those others, and he wanted to thank them for the support.

The potential for a centralized dispatch involving several counties was raised.  The Sheriff did not know whether there was enough room in the facility to handle the upgrade.  He would be willing to look at it, but it might require some infrastructure changes in order to work.  

Ally Shwulst

The addressing stickers that were suggested by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a project fell through, so the sheriff’s deputies will be putting up the stickers on their own.  

Ally answered a question about addressing by explaining that the cost of getting an address is $300, though the property needs to be checked to determine whether it can be given an address.  Shwulst will mail an application to the resident.  

Schwulst reported that she has been trying to get a potential contract for servers. 

There is $17K in Capital Outlay.  The commission approved up to 10K to Pacific Lens for the reconstruction of the mapping system used by the county.

Simplot Pipe Maintenance

Rick Phillips from Simplot, with Dan Darlington and Chad Gentry spoke to the commission about an upcoming project which would affect the county.  The pipeline for Smoky Canyon Mine transports phosphate ore to the Conda pumping station from the mine.  6 miles of new pipeline will be installed.  Two roads will be closed during the project.

Darlington updated the commission on the phases of the project.  Starting in April, excavation will be started.  After the events of last year, the pipeline is being updated.  

The construction will involve three miles this year, then 2 miles each year following.  

Last year a pipe burst on Stewart ridge.  A slurry line usually wears out on the bottom, however, in this case the top of the pipe burst.  The actual hole was about the size of a quarter.  A very localized pit caused by bacteria was determined to be the cause.  Less than 5000 tons went through the hole in the pipe.  Gates will be put up on the closed areas near Timber Creek.  Diamond Creek road will not be closed.  

Senior Citizens

Funds received from Bayer will be used for a heater for the Senior Center.  A new board member over the age of 60 will be sought for the SC.  

Nellie Askew

Flooding near the Grouse Creek area has been reported.  Building in the area was discussed.  The predictable flooding will affect the lots in the area.  The county PZ mulled alerting anyone who purchased property in the area of the associated flood risks.  Several of the culverts were deemed to be undersized, as well as plugged up by debris.  The developer will be informed about the situation.  

Askew has a draft ordinance ready for the update of the code to the 2024 public works standard.   

Cassi Cook, BPA

Cassi Cook, BPA Advisor for Soda Springs High School, explained that 5 students have qualified for the national conference in Chicago.  They were hoping for a donation from the County to help defray the costs of travel.  Avery Johnson, president, was present.  The Commission donated $1000 to the students for the expenses.  

Wade Yost

Business Advertising Concerns.  Wade Yost spoke to the commissioners about his concerns about the county’s priorities.  He feels that the citizens of the community have the right to know who is being brought into the community to work from outside areas.  Three things he asked for were: the return of building permit money in Bancroft; backfill the unused foundation; buy the home he currently lives in at market value for the use of transient workers.  

The building permit was returned to Mr. Yost, but the other two matters were not considered appropriate to the jurisdiction of the board.  

Doug Wood

Doug Wood explained that he had been accepted by the city of Soda Springs to handle criminal prosecution, and the commission was required to pass a motion allowing Wood to work part time for the city in that capacity, which was done.

Mountain West Trail Conference

Commissioner Somsen will be attending the MWTC.  It involves the Caribou Trail Loop.  The trip will be funded by the travel fund for commissioners.

Jill Stoor

Absentee ballots have been sent out.  Information about the ballots has been sent out to people’s houses from an organization that is not the county.  The forms have caused issues with local voters, who have become confused about the process as a result.  

The audio speaker system in the courtroom is not performing well.  Bids for redoing the wiring were discussed.  Someone with audio expertise will be required to repair the system.  Stoor believes that money from the court equipment fund will be needed to upgrade the system in order to make it usable.