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Bannock County
December 2022
Winter weather is here!
Prep for snow shoveling with Bannock County Road and Bridge
The Bannock County Road and Bridge Department is dedicated to removing snow from Bannock County-maintained roads for the health, safety, and welfare of county residents. As winter weather approaches, we want to remind the public about best practices to help our crews safely and efficiently remove snow from the roads.

The Road and Bridge Department utilizes local and national weather forecasts and databases to anticipate and prepare for a forecasted storm. 

During winter operations, snow removal can begin as early as 5:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. After-hours, weekend, and holiday snow removal will be done on a limited basis, with an emphasis on the busiest routes and emergency requests from law enforcement.

Snow-Removal Priorities:

Bannock County will make every effort to have school routes opened first so school buses can safely travel to their routes. Bannock County prioritizes roads based on school bus activity, amount of traffic, acute hazards, and roads deemed “no winter maintenance.” For current information about school closures, visit your respective school district website.

#1        Danger spots such as steep grades, sharp curves, intersections, bridge decks, approaches, school bus routes, turnarounds, ramps, and other acute hazards and heaviest traffic routes.

#2        Medium to heavily traveled road sections, including routes traveled by bus lines and commuters.

#3        Lightly traveled roads, including primary and secondary roads, and areas for winter recreational vehicles. 

To see what priority your road is, visit Bannock County’s Winter Maintenance map.

Homeowner Responsibilities:

Homeowners need to make their own arrangements to clear snow from the front of their mailboxes for mail delivery. Mailboxes and fences located in the county right-of-way that are damaged during normal plowing operations are not the responsibility of the County. 

Under no circumstances may a homeowner remove snow from a county road without a permit. Permit applications are available on bannockcounty.us/road-bridge.

When homeowners are clearing snow from their driveways, the snow cannot be placed onto the County roadways, as it could become a safety hazard to the traveling public. We suggest snow be placed, if possible, on the right side of the driveway and as close to, if not on, the County road shoulder.  This can assist the plow driver in removing the snow without placing it back onto the driveway.
Mark Your Calendar



December 20 – Tax Day

December 26 – Christmas Day (Observed), County Offices CLOSED
Assessor's Announcement:
Applications open soon for 2023 Property Tax Reduction Program
The Bannock County Assessor’s Office is encouraging qualifying property owners to save money by applying for a reduction in property taxes.

Applications for the 2022 Property Tax Reduction Program (a.k.a. “circuit breaker”) open Monday, January 2, 2023, and will close on April 15, 2023.

Qualified homeowners can save up to $1,500 by applying to the Property Tax Reduction Program, also known as the “circuit breaker.” This program is meant to help seniors, people with disabilities, and widowers with their property taxes. The State of Idaho will reimburse counties and cities for the property tax savings of those who qualify for the program.

To qualify for the Property Tax Reduction Program, you must meet one of the above criteria. An applicant’s household income for 2022 must be $33,870 or less after deducting medical expenses to qualify. On and after January 1, 2023, if the current year's assessed value, according to the current year's assessment notice, exceeds $300,000 or 150% of the median assessed valuation, the applicant will be referred to the tax deferral program.  

Property owners must apply for the Property Tax Reduction every year, as it is not renewed automatically. The Bannock County Assessor’s Office encourages everyone who has previously qualified for the program to reapply in 2023. If approved, the reduction in property taxes will appear on the December 2023 tax bills.

More information about the Property Tax Reduction program and other property tax programs can be found at bannockcounty.us/property-tax-hub. Applicants can reach out to the Assessor’s Office for questions or help filling out the application by calling 208-236-7260. To request a physical application, you can also email assessor@bannockcounty.us.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED!
The Bannock County Planning & Development Council has two upcoming vacancies
Position 1: Term would start 3/1/2023
Position 2: Term would start 4/1/2023

The Planning & Development Council members are volunteers who are appointed by the County Commissioners. Per Bannock County Ordinance, Council members shall have resided in the County for at least two years prior to their appointment and must remain a resident of the County during their term.

Positions are open until filled. Application instructions are available here.

*Preference is given to residents who live in south Bannock County or in a city's area of impact, but all who are interested are encouraged to apply.

For questions, please call 208-236-7230.
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Bannock County Gems
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
MORRISON FABRICATION, LLC
Morrison Fabrication, LLC, in Downey, helps people solve their problems through metal and steel fabrication. Morrison Fabrication is locally owned and operated by Kash Morrison, who started welding as a senior in high school, working on farm machinery. Since opening his LLC more than 10 years ago, his work has benefitted several local businesses and organizations.
DEPARTMENT OF THE MONTH
RECORDS
Located in Room 108 on the ground floor of the Bannock County Courthouse, the records department serves a crucial role for the County and 6th District Court. As a division of the Clerk's Office, Records manages record requests for the courts and county.
Busy at Bannock County
We're always busy at Bannock County Government! Follow us on social media to see what we're up to.

Crews recently finished collecting groundwater samples from area drinking wells as part of the Fort Hall Mine Landfill Groundwater Remediation Project.

Bannock County government hosted the 24th Annual Employee Health Fair, offering health screenings and seasonal vaccinations to employees and their families.

The Bannock County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies raised money for this year's Shop with a Cop program.

The Bannock County Landfill team said goodbye to long-time employee Nancy Norton when she retired after 17 years of service.

Three new deputies graduated from Idaho's POST Detention Academy, preparing them for their careers as law enforcement.

Thanks to a donation from the Greater Idaho Health Care Coalition, the Bannock County Coroner's Office is now the proud owner of a Mobile Morgue Trailer.
Notable News in Bannock County

A local developer has begun work on a massive 500-unit housing project on the city’s east bench that will link East Center Street to Vista Drive and then eventually link the new neighborhood over to Beth Street in the Monte Vista Drive area.

The new owners of the onsemi plant on the city’s east side are charging forward with plans they believe will solidify the company as a premier place to work in the Gate City for decades to come.

The Idaho State University College of Technology unveiled a new healthcare simulation laboratory that allows students to work in a realistic hospital setting so students can experience real-world healthcare environments.

Hopes to restore passenger rail service through Pocatello and other parts of the Intermountain West and Pacific Northwest are chugging along.

A new University of Idaho Extension program aims to strengthen rural communities by teaching Idaho residents computer skills needed to work remotely and helping small businesses engage in a growing digital economy.

The Center for Hope and Recovery United, now located at the City Center Campus, helps with finding a counselor, writing a resume, technical training, activities to connect with others, and many other services to support the client.
Celebrating one year of 'Access Bannock County!'
This December issue of 'Access Bannock County' is the 12th issue of the monthly newsletter, meaning we made it through a full year of county updates. That deserves a celebration, I think!

My goal with this newsletter is to provide a fun, easy-to-read way for the public to stay informed about what Bannock County is up to. As a taxpayer myself, I believe the government has a duty to be transparent and make an effort to engage the people they serve. I hope this newsletter has made it easier for you to engage in our local government.

As we look forward to next year, I am brainstorming how to improve this newsletter and other ways to reach the public. To do that, I've developed a survey to help me understand what YOU need and want from Bannock County.

Please take a moment to complete this survey (linked below). It should only take a minute.

Thank you all for subscribing to 'Access Bannock County,' and I'll see you next year!
-Emma Iannacone, Public Information Officer
BANNOCK COUNTY | www.bannockcounty.us