County tables MOU for developer water line at Fairgrounds Road until costs are clarified

Hal Jensen, Bannock County planning director, presented a memorandum of understanding April 21 that would permit a developer (draft materials referenced McCormick Ranches/Ball Ventures) to attach to a county water line on Fairgrounds Road and asked the commission for a signature to let a contractor proceed.

Jensen said he had not yet seen the final edited MOU, raised concern that county departments had not been given precise cost estimates, and warned about budget exposure if the county paid for water infrastructure and awaited reimbursement. "I would advise caution on over‑committing budget authority that we may or may not be able to absorb," Jensen said, urging the board to clarify reimbursement timing and limits before signing.

Commissioners agreed to table the signature-only action until Thursday, directing staff to produce cost estimates, a reimbursement timetable and an explicit sunset or payment schedule so that county departments would not risk budget overruns.

Jensen said the final MOU language should confirm that the developer will meter water use and reimburse the county dollar-for-dollar for construction water and that staff will review the reimbursement timetable and budgetary implications before the board acts.