County Surges: Building Permits, EMS Services, Landfill Expansion
During the Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 23, Building Inspector Kody Williams updated commissioners on current and projected trends in building permits, inspections, and permit fee revenue. Data indicated a steady increase in permit activity and associated inspections, particularly for larger projects, which are expected to continue growing in 2026. Permit fees, calculated based on square footage and code standards, have increased revenue significantly, with a total of $423,000 reported in 2025. The workload for Williams has expanded, with January and February 2026 already surpassing previous monthly inspection records. Challenges identified include the strain on his department as a single inspector during peak construction months, compounded by 261 open permits carried over from prior years.
Commissioners debated the need for additional staffing, considering options such as a full-time, part-time, or seasonal inspector. While a full-time addition was deemed unnecessary, contracting a certified inspector for peak periods was suggested as a practical solution to maintain service quality without overextending the budget. Concerns were raised regarding the proper oversight of large-scale construction projects, particularly those involving complex structural inspections.
Clerk Sherry Ward addressed budget allocations for parking lot maintenance and plowing in Adams County. The commissioners increased the budget to $10,000 annually, with a one-time additional payment of $15,000 to cover prior years’ expenses. The additional funds were intended to improve parking lots, while the $10,000 would continue as a recurring annual allocation. It was confirmed that the extra contribution was a one-time adjustment and future budgets would maintain the $10,000 baseline.
Commissioners considered bids for pavement projects on Orchard Road and Indian Valley/Michigan Avenue. For Orchard Road, several contractors submitted bids using an approach that involves pulverizing existing asphalt, processing it with the underlying base, compacting it, and paving over it without adding cement. Knife River submitted a bid of $249,405, Valley Paving $197,488.85, Granite Construction $268,734.45, and Summit $247,131.
For the Indian Valley and Michigan Avenue sections, Knife River’s bid totaled $380,000, while Boswell Asphalt’s combined bid was $390,529.60. Granite Construction did not submit a bid for these sections. Knife River’s bid was determined to be the lowest at approximately $3.80 per square foot. The team agreed to compile all bid paperwork and verify calculations before providing a formal contract award.
Sheriff Ryan Zollman began with the public swearing-in of a new deputy to the Adams County team, administered by Clerk Sherry Ward and the Board of Commissioners. Following this, the Board reviewed several agreements and updates. The first was a placement agreement with the Idaho Department of Corrections for 24 beds, which was approved and noted to include an upcoming rate adjustment after July 1, 2026.
Zollman also discussed participation in the OHV grant program through the Department of Parks and Recreation, which provides $7,300 annually based on recreational area usage. The program aims to manage ATV, UTV, and motorcycle traffic on county lands, and the agreement was approved, with plans to include it in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
Fred Perez from AFF consulting and Andy Mork, a geologist, addressed the DEQ letter regarding the landfill’s groundwater monitoring plan. While the formal plan hasn’t been submitted, ongoing monitoring is valid and likely counts toward the required events. Once the operation plan, groundwater monitoring plan, and closure/post-closure plan are submitted, DEQ approval will be granted, allowing waste operations to proceed.
Closure and financial assurance were also addressed. The old landfill’s closure plan relied on untested soils, potentially underestimating costs. For the new landfill, a synthetic liner is recommended over a clay cover because it is cheaper, easier to install, and more likely to gain DEQ approval. Financial assurance numbers will be updated to reflect current costs accurately.
Cover repairs are a priority. Last year’s cover washed away, and repairing it is needed before depositing waste. The goal is to complete this by May or June, allowing waste to be deposited and compacted before winter, maintaining landfill capacity.
A separate construction and demolition (C&D) landfill was proposed to prevent C&D waste from reducing the main landfill’s effective capacity. DEQ approval is expected, with minimal monitoring required. Sorting at the gate will ensure compliance, but no extra manpower is needed.
Next steps include completing the cover repair, submitting the updated plans to DEQ, and continuing groundwater monitoring.
EMS Director Cody Murphy informed commissioners that the department’s first staff meeting focused on finance, budgeting, and the importance of completing reports accurately. Since retraining and setting clear directives, report completion time has dropped dramatically—from an average of 4,300 minutes (about five days) to 173 minutes. Scene time has also been reduced by roughly 50%, from 31.5 minutes to 16 minutes.
Murphy reviewed billing issues, noting over $100,000 in unclaimed revenue due to missing fee schedules and proper documentation, particularly for Medicare and Medicaid. Current billing of $800 plus $16 per loaded mile leaves significant revenue on the table, while proper compliance could increase payouts to $1,360 per Medicare run. Updated rates and standardized charges for private insurance are being implemented to capture maximum revenue while ensuring transparency and compliance.
A financial hardship policy was drafted based on federal poverty guidelines, including an application, review worksheet, and notice of determination. This ensures equitable treatment, legal compliance, and protection against anti-kickback violations. The policy allows for partial or full waivers based on eligibility.
Further updates included progress toward ALS (Advanced Life Support) capabilities. Once licensed, the department will be able to provide full ALS services, with necessary equipment and medications in place. Temporary limitations exist due to licensing, but full EMT and IV capabilities are already active. Collaboration with neighboring agencies may provide additional ALS coverage.
Cost-saving measures were also discussed. Volunteers agreed to forgo the $25 nightly stipend, saving approximately $22,000 annually, and reducing driver compensation could save an additional $36,000, totaling about $50,000 in savings. Staff are gaining confidence through training, including successful real-world IV administration.
Finally, the upcoming budget hearing and levy override were noted as critical steps. The levy will help fund ALS capabilities, cover startup costs, and ensure full compliance with federal and state regulations. Preparations are underway to finalize financial and operational policies to meet the district’s 2026 federal standards.
For the last agenda item of the day, commissioners were briefed on a city meeting that took place at the beginning of March. The meeting regarded the proposed parking lot project from Adams County Health Clinic. Council member and health center CEO, Mendy Stanford, recused herself due to a conflict of interest and observed the proceedings from the audience. The council, excluding Stanford, requested a mitigation plan for water management, sewer removal, and fencing on two sides of the property. Specifically, they wanted a fence along the south and west sides to buffer neighboring properties. The council asked for a seven-foot-tall fence, which poses a challenge, as local ordinances restrict fence heights in the area.
Discussions also included water drainage concerns. Neighbors expressed worries about runoff from the lot impacting their properties. As the land is owned by the county and is leased by the health center, Stanford, in her position as the health center CEO, asked commissioners to aid in potential solutions. Such solutions included sloping the lot and installing a culvert to divert water, though these options could be costly and require ongoing maintenance. The council tabled the project and requested a formal plan to be presented at the next meeting on April 14.
The property has historically been used for parking, and no significant changes are planned other than formalizing the lot. Employee and patient parking has long been accommodated there, but overcrowding and safety concerns on surrounding streets remain issues. Previous efforts to manage parking courtesy among staff have been inconsistent. Graveling the lot is seen as a cost-effective solution, though formal approval from the city would still be required.
While most board members support the project, one neighbor’s opposition has complicated the approval process. That neighbor has since put their house on the market, but their concerns continue to influence Council City Council discussions. The board plans to gather additional information, consult with the city attorney, and coordinate with staff before moving forward.
Until a mitigation and fencing plan is approved, the project remains on hold, with the commissioners monitoring developments.
