(Bannock County News, January 8, 2025; Cover Photo Credit: Bannock County)
With a brand new year ahead of us, it feels appropriate to check in on the state of Bannock County. 2025 will be an exciting year for our community, as projects like the new Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall and the Youth Development Center take shape.
On Monday, January 13, four elected officials will take their Oath of Office as they begin the start of a new term.
- Commissioner Ernie Moser will begin a new 2-year term in office. This is his third consecutive term as the representative for District 1 (south county) on the Board.
- Ken Bullock will replace Commissioner John Crowder to represent District 3 (Pocatello). Bullock has previously served as a Commissioner for District 1. He will begin a 4-year term.
- Sheriff Tony Manu returns for his second consecutive term in office. Manu will begin a 4-year term as Sheriff, continuing a 30+ year career serving in the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office.
- Ian Johnson will be sworn in for a 4-year term as the new Bannock County Prosecutor, replacing Prosecutor Steve Herzog.
I asked the Elected Officials to share what they are most proud of from 2024 and want they to accomplish in 2025. Here’s what they said (in alphabetical order of their office).
Assessor Anita Hymas
2024 Accompishments:
In the Assessor’s Office, we were able to keep up with our five-year plan and even surpassed what was required to complete. We were able to concentrate on quality instead of quantity in our evaluations, and I think that showed in the fact that we had fewer Boards of Equalization appeals this year. We’ve also started cross-training several of our front appraiser assistance staff and involve them in some of our other processes to help the office run smoother.
In the DMV, we continued to serve the public during our office remodel and the construction on North 6th Avenue – and we survived! I’m also proud to share that one of our agents (technician) received an award for customer service from the state.
Goals for 2025:
In the Assessor’s Office, we hope to increase the number of Property Tax Reduction applicants through our outreach efforts and continue to keep up on our 5 year plan and increase quality of our appraisals by reaching out to the public.
In the DMV, we want to continue finding ways to increase patronage and give good customer service.
Clerk Jason Dixon
The County Clerk handles a wide range of responsibilities across the County, including recording, indigent services, courts, auditing, and elections. With such a broad scope, it can be challenging to spotlight individual offices. However, this year has been particularly demanding for two of them, so here are two notable highlights from the Clerk’s offices over the past year.
Election Success: This past year, our Bannock County elections showed a high level of excellence in public service by successfully overseeing the 2024 General Election. The election was conducted with precision, transparency, and fairness. From securing polling places and training poll workers to ensuring an accurate count and timely reporting of results, the process was seamless. Voter turnout reached record levels, which puts added stress and demand on our elections staff as well as our volunteer poll workers. Despite these added numbers, the trust and confidence of our citizens in the electoral process remain strong. Which is a testament to our electoral process, staff competence and customer service.
Smooth Budget Process: Additionally, the county achieved a remarkably smooth budget process this past year, thanks to the collaborative efforts of department heads, Commissioners, and the Clerk’s Office. The budget was developed efficiently and in full compliance with Idaho Code, prioritizing critical services while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Looking ahead to the 2025 fiscal year, ARPA funds will be invested in projects to improve key county facilities, including the county courthouse, annex, jail, wellness complex, and fairgrounds. Leveraging these federal funds will help flatten future budgets by reducing maintenance demands on aging systems and infrastructure. This efficient and transparent process not only avoided delays but also reinforced our commitment to accountability and effective public service.
Commissioner Ken Bullock
The new year brings an opportunity to serve the residents of Bannock County, and I have some goals for myself as an elected official. I want to be an active participant in the community and the process of representing them in the various demands of county government. I will address the issues with fairness and commitment to integrity required by a Commissioner of Bannock County. I will listen with open-mindedness to the various issues being presented, then act with resolve to enforce the ordinances and statutes in place. In the near foreseeable future, we will need to be diligent in preserving the history of the area while planning for the physical growth and effects of economic expansion. I will endeavor to foster good relationships with our community leaders throughout the region and state. I look forward to the challenge.
Commissioner Jeff Hough
2024 was an exciting year for Bannock County. The accomplishments I am most proud of from 2024 include:
- Two Bannock County employees deployed to North Carolina to help the response for Hurricane Helene
- Signed a contract with Nederlander Concerts to bring more concerts to the Port
- Grew our email subscriber database to over 1,000 recipients
- Implemented a fleet program to maximize our vehicle utilization
- Completed numerous ARPA projects
- Broke ground on the Ambulance Bay in McCammon
- Broke ground on the Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall
- Celebrated 1 year of the Village and its impact on the community
In 2025, I am looking forward to:
- Completing Bannock County’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan
- Rewriting the county’s zoning and subdivision ordinances
- Completing ‘Area of City Impact’ negotiations with cities in the county
- A robust concert season
- Completing the remaining ARPA projects – especially new Youth Development Center/Event Center Office
- Running tests for staffing at the McCammon Ambulance Bay
Commissioner Ernie Moser
I am especially proud of our efforts to officially allocate the $17 million worth of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that Bannock County recieved. This was a big endeavor that required a lot of thought, negotiation, and time to find ways to appropriately utilize these once-in-a-lifetime funds.
On that same note, I am looking forward to seeing these ARPA projects be completed in 2025, especially the Exhibit Hall in Downey, the Youth Development Center in Pocatello, and the courthouse and North 6th Avenue renovation. It will be so rewarding to see how these projects improve Bannock County for years to come.
Coroner Torey Danner
I am pleased with what we achieved in the Coroner’s Office in 2024. I was able to draft legislation and successfully gathered support from Senators and Representatives to establish a Next-of-Kin database in Idaho. Additionally, I am proud to have initiated the “Please Just Stay” project here in Bannock County, and it has been rewarding to see its growth in surrounding counties this year.
I have also had the opportunity to work with legislators from the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee to help drive positive changes in the Coroner system for the State of Idaho. I look forward to what lies ahead, and my goal for this office in 2025 is to continue building the foundation that allows us to provide the best service possible for our community
Prosecutor Ian Johnson
In 2024, the Prosecutor’s Office successfully brought to trial and convicted Brad Scott Compher for the murder of Nori Jones in 2004. This was a major accomplishment that should be noted for the decades of investigative and prosecutorial effort it took to reach a verdict.
For my first year as the Bannock County Prosecutor, I aim to administer justice appropriately, efficiently, and effectively with the highest ethical standards and transparency. I want to grow the office by developing skills, manpower, and overall unity, strengthening trust and communication, and improving our relationship with law enforcement.
Sheriff Tony Manu
In 2024 the MOUD (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder) Program in the Bannock County Detention Center completed its first full calendar year of service for incarcerated opioid addicted people. Obtaining and tracking statistics on the effectiveness of the program is tricky because of the targeted group and the ability to track and individual when they are released from the custody of Bannock County. IVY medical head RN Valerie Molnar provided some stats for the year 2024 and overall the program has been a success. (See statistics here)
I’m also pleased that we completed projects to update the Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center to extend its life for the next 20+ years. We completed a new 25-year-lifespan roof, new LVP and other interior upgrades throughout the administrative side of the building, converted cells to fully self-contained cells by adding toilet/sink combo, removed tile and polished cement throughout the interior of the jail which requires less maintenance, and added an additional testing station in the Driver’s License office.
Treasurer Jennifer Clark
2024 Accompishments:
- In August of 2024, we hosted the annual Idaho Association of County Treasurers here in Pocatello, where we were able to show the professionalism and beauty of our county and the amazing businesses and people in our community.
- This year we were faced with a unique and difficult situation with getting the tax notices out. Our office staff went above and beyond and took every step possible to get the residents of Bannock County their tax information and were here to assist and answer any questions that they had.
Goals for 2025:
Our office is eager to implement on-line access through our credit card vendor to provide property owners real-time tax information at the tip of their fingers. This will be beneficial to the residents of Bannock County that would like to make a payment on-line and have up to date information.
