BOARD MEETING was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Board Chairman Jim Osman. Other Board members present were Bob Thurston, Daniel Hanson, Larry Ellis and Eric Paull. The employees present were Colleen Johnson, Beate Pryor, and Tanner Weisgram. Brett Converse & David Watkins (via Zoom) from J-U-B Engineering were present. From the public: Jennifer Ekstrom (Idaho Conservation League)

INDIVIDUALS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD:

• 6:15 pm – Brett Converse and David Watkins – J-U-B Engineering

The Board discussed adding an Executive Session to the agenda, Idaho Code 74-206, subsection J. Daniel Hansen moved to amend the agenda, seconded by Eric Paull, to include an executive session under Idaho Code 74-206, subsection J. The motion passed unanimously. Roll Call Vote: Eric: aye, Bob: aye, Jim: aye, Larry: aye, Daniel aye           

Minutes: Minutes from May were approved.

Financial Statements: A financial update addressed bank service charges of approximately $16,000–$17,000, accumulated from May 2021 due to previously untracked BDS deductions. These charges are automatically deducted prior to deposits from credit and debit card payments on the payment portal site. The depreciation entry to the reserve account was $33,000 to catch up to the amount to be budgeted for the year. The remaining $8,000.00 will be moved to the depreciation reserves prior to year end.

Maintenance Report: Tanner Weisgram provided a comprehensive update on maintenance activities. He reported that chip sealing at Ponder Point and possibly Whiskey Jack does not significantly impact manhole covers. Operations used plastic covers to protect the manhole covers during the process. Tanner noted that the main sewer line on Railroad Avenue is in good condition with adequate capacity, based on recent video inspections, dispelling earlier concerns about replacement needs. Additionally, Weisgram confirmed that maintenance issues on McNearney Road were resolved last year, and no immediate concerns remain

OLD BUSINESS:

1. WWTP Updates: Brett and David Watkins, an engineer from J‑U‑B Engineering, provided an update on the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) upgrade project. David Watkins, an area manager and project lead, presented an update on a procurement project for a package treatment plant, introduced by Brett Converse. The project involves preparing a 250-page procurement contract document under Idaho Code 67-2806A, allowing consideration of price and other factors due to the unique features of package treatment plants. The documents, nearly complete after quality control, will be sent to the Board by August 15, 2025, for review. Watkins outlined the document structure, including bid documents, evaluation criteria, agreement terms, general and supplementary conditions, and procurement specifications, emphasizing legal review needs for bid evaluation, milestones, and insurance limits. He also discussed project phases (design and construction) with milestones like notice to proceed, submittals, and fabrication, including an off-ramp to cancel the contract after the design phase to limit costs. A date was determined to have an additional workshop for review of the documents prior to finalizing them.
2. Golf Course Updates: Brett Converse provided updates regarding negotiations with the golf course owners, revising language to allow irrigation of a 30-acre area rather than mandating a golf course, resolving owner concerns. The golf course has a phasing plan. The Board emphasized Class A irrigation and the 30-acres to north are not beneficial to the District and clarified that connection fees (50% deposit of whatever the current NUFF fee is without locking in the rate) are required upfront, with no reserved capacity. They will be unable to purchase NUFFs for property outside the District boundaries. No formal decisions or motions were recorded, but the Board agreed on the revised language and fee clarification, with no disagreements

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) Account
   The Board discussed opening a new LGIP account for operating reserves. The application was signed during the meeting, with no opposition noted. It was approved at an earlier meeting. Paperwork was available to sign at this meeting.
2. Leak Adjustment Request (Arrow Construction Supply)
   A Leak Adjustment Request for Arrow Construction Supply was reviewed but deemed incomplete due to missing meter readings before and after the leak repair. The Board decided to table the request until complete documentation is provided. There was agreement to defer to the next meeting, with no disagreements.
3. Hardship Application
   A Hardship Application from a current recipient was reviewed, with their assistance ending last quarter. Bob Thurston moved to approve $30/month for 10 months, limited by the $305 remaining in the Hardship Fund, seconded by Eric Paull. The motion passed unanimously with “aye” votes, reflecting agreement on supporting the applicant within budget constraints and allowing for a full 12 months of assistance if additional donations are received.
4. Shop Mudroom and Connection Requests (Whiskey Jack Phase 1)
   The Board reviewed a Shop Mudroom Exemption request for Lot 4 and connection requests for Lots 3 and 4, Whiskey Jack Phase 1, located on Osprey Lane. Bob Thurston moved to approve, seconded by Daniel Hansen, with unanimous “aye” votes. The Board confirmed the Hook Up portion of $6,506 per lot was paid as LID capacities were assigned prior from the Cox Partnership. No issues were noted
5. Delinquent Accounts Turnover
   The Board noted that 79 properties with under $50,000 in delinquent accounts were turned over to the County on August 1, 2025, a reduction from last year’s 100+ accounts and $50,000+. No formal motion was required, as this was an update, with agreement on the effectiveness of proactive collection calls by staff
6. Approval of FYE 2025 Budget Revision for Publication
   The Board reviewed the revised FYE2025 budget, with changes highlighted in yellow (increases) and orange (decreases). Eric Paull moved to approve the revision for publication, seconded by Bob Thurston, with unanimous “aye” votes. No disagreements were noted.
7. Rate Increase Approval for Publication
   The Board discussed a rate increase of 3% for next year for publication. Increase of $1.00 per month per ER for the Plant Upgrade Fee Bob Thurston moved to approve the publication for rate increase publication, seconded by Daniel Hanson, with unanimous “aye” votes. No disagreements were noted.
8. Approval of FYE 2026 Proposed Budget for Publication
   Discussed medical costs increasing more than 6% as previously anticipated. Larry Ellis moved to approve the publication for rate increase publication, seconded by Bob Thurston, with unanimous “aye” votes. No disagreements were noted.
9. Rescind record document for address correction:
   An incorrect address in the document. Bob Thurston moved to authorize signature on the Rescind Release Agreement, seconded by Eric Paull, with unanimous “aye” votes. The corrected document should be available by the next meeting.

BOARD UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (Non-Agenda Updates)

Board discussed updates noted, Public Hearing August 25^th at 5:00 pm and next board meetings September 8, and October 14. The office will be closed for Labor Day.

APPLICATIONS and UPDATES: (ACTION) – All applications were approved as submitted, no further comments.

1. Commercial-Industrial Sanitary Sewer Service Connection Request Update-476600 Hwy 95, Ponderay-Mike White Ford
2. Shop Mudroom Exemption Application-Lot 4 Whiskey Jack PH I-Mort Construction
3. Single-Family Residence Application for Service-Lot 3 Whiskey Jack PH I-Mort Construction
4. Single-Family Residence Application for Service-Lot 4 Whiskey Jack PH I-Mort Construction

Board signed all applications 

Motion to go into Executive Session per Idaho Code 74-206 Subsection 1-J

Roll Call Vote:

Eric: yes, Bob: yes, Jim: yes, Larry: yes, Daniel: Yes

Executive Session 7:04 p.m.

Motion to leave Executive Session:

Roll Call Vote:

Eric: yes, Bob: yes, Jim: yes, Larry: yes, Daniel: yes

No decision was made on the discussion at this time. Further discussion on the topic later.

Larry Ellis moved to adjourn the meeting.

Daniel Hanson seconded the motion.

All in favor

Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

Signed: Beate Pryor