Federal Grant Boosts Sheriff’s Department
The commissioner meeting held on Tuesday the 14th of October opened with District III Public Defense Commission representative, Isaiah Govia, presenting commissioners with reports of continued success within the public defense system and highlighted new developments across the district. Govia praised Adams County Public Defender Abby Hoskinson for managing most local defense cases and commended ongoing collaboration with Prosecutor Peter Donovan. He noted that Adams County remains one of Idaho’s smallest jurisdictions, handling about 50 to 60 cases this year—far fewer than neighboring Payette County, which reported more than 600.
Budget concerns and questions were a central topic. Govia explained that despite a statewide funding increase of more than 100 percent last year, rising costs for court transcripts, mental health evaluations, and conflict cases continue to challenge resources. He said the division of payment responsibilities between the state and counties remains unclear and will likely require legislative clarification.
Govia was happy to announced a new Tri-County Mental Health Court, serving Payette, Washington, and Adams Counties. The program aims to help residents facing addiction and behavioral health challenges return to stability. Govia closed by reaffirming his commitment to public defense, calling the work his lifelong passion and thanking the county for its harmonious partnership.
With the absence of Planning and Zonings Meredith Fisher, commissioners briefly revisited the controversial 80-foot setback rule, a regulation that determines how far buildings must be from county road easements, with Building Inspector Kody Williams. The discussion centered on whether the current distance is excessive and how it conflicts with both state standards and practical property use.
Commissioner Joe Iveson noted that while the state allows 55 feet from the center line, county ordinances still require an 80-foot setback, creating confusion for property owners and developers. Iveson expressed his own vexation over the differing requirements by both state and county regulations, describing the larger setback as “hard to justify” and “overly restrictive.”
The board agreed to place the issue on the agenda for the next meeting for formal review and potential revision. Commissioners emphasized the importance of balancing safety, state compliance, and individual property rights while updating the county ordinance.
Waste Management department head, Steve Shelton, and Building Inspector Kody Williams paired up to address the growing problem of misuse over landfill building permits and the need for improved fee tracking and enforcement.
Currently, residents are charged 15 cents per square foot for new construction, which covers landfill disposal through a building permit. However, Shelton reported ongoing problems with outdated or reused permits. “People are bringing in permits from 2020 or 2021,” Shelton said, underlining that permits are supposed to expire after two years. The issue, they explained, is that multiple people are using permits for different projects, often leading to unreported waste disposal.
Commissioners agreed the system lacks reliable regulation and tracking. “There’s not a lot of honesty going on,” Williams said, acknowledging that some contractors use a single permit for several homes. The group went on to review several potential solutions, including digital tracking software, yardage-based limits, and fraud penalties. Williams proposed implementing a wet stamp or voucher system that would issue a limited number of waste tickets per project to prevent reuse. Clerk Sherry Ward mentioned linking landfill records with the county’s database for real-time permit verification. Despite differing solutions, all agreed immediate reforms are needed.
Shelton went on to provide commissioners with landfill updates and discussed recent inspection findings and minor coverage issues, describing the challenge of keeping waste properly covered. No major deficiencies were reported.
Conversation shifted to coordination with Valley County’s waste management operations, where officials emphasized limiting incoming materials to household waste only once the new landfill cell opens. Shelton voiced concerns about Valley County’s handling of mixed loads and the need for stricter separation to reduce time spent on making necessary operational corrections. Plans are underway for a joint meeting with the Valley County Commissioners.
Road and Bridge department head, Adam Balderson, confirmed that White Licks Bridge near Middle Fork Road was closed by the state after an inspection revealed structural deficiencies. County crews have been reinforcing the bridge to extend its life. “We’re right at $10,000 in parts now, and we have everything except for concrete,” Balderson said, noting that the repairs should be complete within the week or so. Once finished, the bridge’s load rating is expected to improve significantly, extending its life by “another 15 to 20 years.”
Commissioner Viki Purdy brought attention to unauthorized speed limit and traffic signs being placed by residents along public roads toward Cuprum and asked Balderson to investigate the matter to potentially remove the signs. Prosecuting Attorney Peter Donovan chimed in to cite Idaho Code 49-805, which prohibits any unauthorized traffic control devices that resemble official signs. “All these prohibited signs are deemed public nuisances,” Donovan explained, confirming that the Road and Bridge Department is legally empowered to remove them.
Sheriff Ryan Zollman announced that his department has been awarded a $551,538 federal Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to fund two new patrol deputy positions for three years. Zollman credited administrative assistant Crissy Gipe for preparing the grant application in under a week. The grant covers 100% of wages and benefits—approximately $88,000 per deputy annually—with no required county match.
Commissioners discussed how the funding fits into existing staffing plans. While two county-funded positions were approved earlier this year, the grant adds two more potential slots. Officials clarified that the county may choose to fill the grant-funded positions first while leaving county-funded roles temporarily vacant, allowing flexibility over the five-year grant period. “It’s half a million dollars that doesn’t come out of our budget,” Zollman noted.
Zollman acknowledged that while the grant covers salaries and benefits, the county will still bear costs for training, uniforms, vehicles, and fuel, estimated at about $10,000–$15,000 per deputy. Despite these expenses, commissioners agreed with Zollman, that the award represents “a major financial win” for the department. The room expressed concern that even with new funding, attracting qualified candidates may remain difficult. “Nobody wants to be in law enforcement right now,” Zollman said, citing both economic and generational factors.
EMS Director Dan Huter announced his retirement effective October 31, marking the end of a long public service career. Commissioners discussed with Huter the transition process, including developing a new job description and advertising the open position. He added that his assistant director, Joe Gams, had largely completed the new job description and that things are moving very well toward a smooth transition. While Dan is stepping down from his leadership role, he noted he would continue to assist on a limited basis.
The board also reviewed the position’s compensation and benefits, confirming that the EMS Director role will be part-time, without benefits, as has been the case historically. Gams pointed out that the lack of benefits might limit the pool of qualified applicants. Regardless, the position will be posted for two weeks as required.
Commissioners thanked Huter for his service, acknowledging the many responsibilities the position entails and his dedication to fill the role.
