Minidoka

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Minidoka’s newly elected

I previously wrote about a new Minidoka Mayor and Councilman in early 2025. I then wrote about another new Councilman sworn in due to the move and resignation of another. I mentioned the results of the election held 4 November 2025 and that more changes were coming.

Minidoka City 4 November 2025 election results

Minidoka swore in a new City Clerk on 9 December 2025.

Jennifer Walker sworn in by Mayor Peterson as the new Minidoka City Clerk

Then at the first meeting of 2026, all the newly elected officials were to be sworn into office. Clerk Walker first swore in reelected Mayor Julie Peterson.

Minidoka City Clerk Jennifer Walker swears in Mayor Julie Peterson

Mayor Julie Peterson then swore in newly elected Monique Hurst. Monique had been serving as an appointed Councilman, but now sits as an elected Councilman.

Councilman Monique Hurst sworn in by Mayor Julie Peterson, Clerk Jennifer Walker watches

Then Mayor Peterson swore in reelected Councilman Jim Cook.

Mayor Julie Peterson swears in Councilman Jim Cook, Clerk Jennifer Walker listens while water operator Cody Creek watches

Bulmaro Paz was out of the country visiting family, so he was not able to attend and be sworn in at the January meeting. Bonnie Hofmeister submitted a resignation for her position before the evening, she was not sworn in. With only two Councilmen present, no further business could be conducted. The meeting was adjourned until February.

At the 3 February 2026 meeting, reelected Councilman Bulmaro Paz was back in town and sworn in.

Bulmaro Paz being sworn in by Mayor Julie Peterson, Monique Hurst watches

Due to the resignation of Bonnie Hofmeister, Mayor had an opportunity to appoint a new Councilman. Mayor Peterson nominated Mark Cartwright and Council approved.

Mayor Julie Peterson swears in Mark Cartwright to Minidoka City Council after a resignation left a vacancy

With that reorganization, that will have Monique and Jim’s seats both up for a 4 year term in 2027. Mark was just appointed to fill a four year term, but will be up for election in 2027 for a 2 year term. Mayor and Bulmaro are both up for a 4 year term in 2029.

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TITLE 1: ADMINISTRATIVE

1-1: TITLE:

1-1-1: TITLE

Upon adoption by the City Council, this Code is hereby declared to be and shall hereafter constitute the official code of the City of Minidoka. This code of ordinances shall be known and cited as the MINIDOKA CITY CODE, and it is hereby published by authority of the City Council and shall be kept up to date as provided in this chapter. Any reference to the number of any section contained herein shall be understood to refer to the position of the same number, its appropriate chapter and title heading, and to the general penalty clause, relating thereto, as well as to the section itself, when reference is made to this code by title in any legal documents.

1-1-2: ACCEPTANCE:

This City code, as hereby presented in printed form, shall hereafter be received without further proof in all courts and in all administrative tribunals of this state as ordinances of the City of general and permanent effect.

1-1-3: AMENDMENTS:

Any ordinance amending this code shall set forth the title, chapter and section number of the section or sections to be amended, and this shall constitute sufficient compliance with any statutory requirement pertaining to the amendment or revision by ordinance of any part of this code. All such amendments or revisions by ordinance shall be immediately forwarded to the codifiers and the said ordinance material shall be prepared for insertion in its proper place in each copy of this code. Each such replacement page shall be properly identified and shall be inserted in each individual copy of this code.

1-1-4: CONSTRUCTION OF WORDS:

Whenever any word in any section of this code importing the plural number is used in describing or referring to any matters, parties or persons, any single matter, party or person shall be deemed to be included, although distributive words may not have been used.

When any subject matter, party or person is referred to in this code by words importing the singular number only, or the masculine gender, several matters, parties or persons and females as well as males and bodies corporate shall be deemed to be included; provided, that these rules of construction shall not be applied to any section of this code which contains any express provision excluding such construction or where the subject matter or context may be repugnant thereto.

The word “ordinance” contained in the ordinances of the City has been changed in the content of this code to “title”, “chapter”, “section” and/or “subsection” or words of like import for organizational and clarification purposes only. Such change to the City’s ordinances is not meant to amend passage and effective dates of such original ordinances.

1-1-5:  DEFINITIONS, GENERAL:

Whenever the following words or terms are used in this code, they shall have such meanings herein ascribed to them, unless the context makes such meanings repugnant thereto:

AGENT: A person acting on behalf of another.

CITY: The City of Minidoka, county of Minidoka, State of Idaho.

EMPLOYEES: Whenever reference is made in this code to a City employee by title only, this shall be construed as though followed by the words “of the City of Minidoka”.

FEE: A sum of money charged by the City for the carrying on of a business, profession, or occupation.

LICENSE: The permission granted for the carrying on of a business, profession or occupation.

MISDEMEANOR: Any offense for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment in other than a penitentiary for less than six (6) months may be imposed.

NUISANCE: Anything offensive or obnoxious to the health and welfare of the inhabitants of the City; or any act or thing repugnant to, or creating a hazard to, or having a detrimental effect on the property of another person or to the community.

OCCUPANT: Applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or any part of such building or land whether alone or with others.

OFFENSE: Any act forbidden by any provision of this code or the omission of any act required by the provisions of this code.

OFFICERS: Whenever reference is made in this code to a City officer by title only, this shall be construed as though followed by the words “of the City of Minidoka”.

OPERATOR: The person who is in charge of any operation, business or profession.

OWNER: Applied to a building or land, shall include any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common, joint tenant or lessee or tenant or other lawful occupant of the whole or of a part of such building or land.

PERSON: Any public or private corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization, government or any other group acting as a unit, as well as a natural person.

PERSONAL PROPERTY: Shall include every description of money, goods, chattels, effects, evidence of rights in action and all written instruments by which any pecuniary obligation, right or title to property is created, acknowledged, transferred, increased, defeated, discharged or diminished and every right or interest therein.

RETAILER: Unless otherwise specifically defined, shall be understood to relate to the sale of goods, merchandise, articles or things in small quantities direct to the consumer.

RIGHT OF WAY: The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway or other property.

STREET: Shall include alleys, lanes, courts, boulevards, public ways, public squares and public places used and intended for vehicular traffic.

TENANT: Applied to a building or land, shall include any person who occupies the whole or any part of such building or land whether alone or with others.

WHOLESALER, WHOLESALE DEALER: Unless otherwise specifically defined, shall be understood to relate to the sale of goods, merchandise, articles or things in quantity to persons who purchase for the purpose of resale.

WRITTEN, IN WRITING: May include printing and any other mode of representing words and letters, but when the written signature of any person is required by law to any official or public writing or bond required by law, it shall be in the proper handwriting of such person, or in case he is unable to write, by his proper mark.

1-1-6: CATCHLINES:

The catchlines of the several sections of this code are intended as mere catchwords to indicate the content of the section and shall not be deemed or taken to be titles of such sections, nor be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of the provisions of any division or section hereof, nor unless expressly so provided, shall they be so deemed when any of such sections, including the catchlines, are amended or reenacted.

1-1-7: MINICIPAL INCORPORATION OF CITY OF MINIDOKA:

Lincoln County Board of Commissioners Minutes, Book #1, page 446, dated 10 October 1904:

“A petition, praying the Board to pass an order incorporating the land hereinafter described, as the Village of Minidoka, was presented to the Board and the said Board being fully advised in the premises and it appearing that a majority of the taxable inhabitants of the Village of Minidoka, had signed the petition and that inhabitants to the number of two hundred or more are actual residents of said territory, it is hereby ordered that the territory hereinafter described be and the same is declared to be incorporated as the Village of Minidoka, with metes and bounds as follows, to-wit:

“The West half of the southwest quarter and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section one, also the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter and the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section Two, Township eight south of range twenty-five east, Boise Meridian, adjacent to the commencing from the corner of Sections One, two, eleven and twelve said Township and Range, running east one-fourth mile, more or less, to the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of said Section One; thence north three-fourths of a mile, more or less, to the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section one; thence west one-half mile, more or less, to the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of said Section two; thence south one-half mile, more or less, to the southwest corner of the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of said section two; thence east one-fourth mile, more or less, to the southeast corner of said northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of said Section two; thence south one-fourth mile, more or less to the corners to section 1/2/11 and 12 the point of beginning.

“And it is further ordered that the following persons are hereby appointed as Trustees of said Village of Minidoka, to-wit: F.A. Eveleth, I.H. Lounsbury, Hardy Sears, John Fader and W.N. Shilling.

1-2: SAVINGS CLAUSE:

1-2-1: REPEAL OF GENERAL ORDINANCES:

All general ordinances of the City passed prior to the adoption of this code are hereby repealed, except such as are included in this code or are by necessary implication herein reserved from repeal (subject to the saving clauses contained in the following sections), and excluding the following ordinances which are not hereby repealed: tax levy ordinances; appropriation ordinances; ordinances relating to boundaries and annexations; franchise ordinances and other ordinances granting special rights to persons or corporations; contract ordinances and ordinances authorizing the execution of a contract or the issuance of warrants; salary ordinances; ordinances establishing, naming or vacating streets, alleys or other public places, improvement district ordinances; bond ordinances; ordinances relating to elections; ordinances relating to the transfer or acceptance of real estate by or from the City; and all special ordinances.

1-2-2: PUBLIC UTILITY ORDINANCES:

No ordinance relating to railroad crossings with streets and other public ways, or relating to the conduct, duties, service or rates of public utilities shall be repealed by virtue of the adoption of this code or by virtue of the preceding section, excepting as this code may contain provisions for such matters, in which case this code shall be considered as amending such ordinance or ordinances in respect to such provisions only.

1-2-3: COURT PROCEEDINGS:

No new ordinance shall be construed or held to repeal a former ordinance whether such former ordinance is expressly repealed or not, as to any offense committed against such former ordinance or as to any act done, any penalty, forfeiture or punishment so incurred, or any right accrued or claim arising under the former ordinance, or in any way whatever to affect any such offense or act so committed or so done, or any penalty, forfeiture or punishment so incurred or any right accrued or claim arising before the new ordinance takes effect, save only that the proceedings thereafter shall conform to the ordinance in force at the time of such proceeding, so far as practicable, if any penalty, forfeiture or punishment be mitigated by any provision of a new ordinance, such provision may be, by consent of the party affected, applied to any judgment announced after the new ordinance takes effect.

This section shall extend to all repeals, either by express words or implication, whether the repeal is in the ordinance making any new provisions upon the name subject or in any other ordinance.

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as abating any action now pending under or by virtue of any general ordinance of the City herein repealed and the provisions of all general ordinances contained in this code shall be deemed to be continuing provisions and not a new enactment of the same provision; nor shall this chapter be deemed as discontinuing, abating, modifying or altering any penalty accrued or to accrue, or as affecting the liability of any person, firm or corporation, or as waiving any right of the City under any ordinance or provision thereof in force at the time of the adoption of this code.

1-2-4: SEVERABILITY CLAUSE:

If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this code or any part thereof is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid or ineffective by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this code, or any part thereof. The City council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared unconstitutional, invalid or ineffective.

1-3: GENERAL PENALTY:

1-3-1: GENERAL PENALTY:

Any person convicted of violation of any section or provision of this code, where no other penalty is set forth, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for any one offense, or by imprisonment in jail for a period of not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Any person convicted of a violation of an infraction within the City limits of the City shall be punished by payment of a civil penalty not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00).

1-3-2: APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS:

The penalty provided in this chapter shall be applicable to every section of this code the same as though it were a part of each and every separate section. Any person convicted of a violation of any section of this code where a duty is prescribed or obligation imposed, or where any action which is of a continuing nature is forbidden or is declared to be unlawful, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. A separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day such duty or obligation remains unperformed or such act continues, unless otherwise specifically provided in this code.

In all cases where the same offense is made punishable or is created by different clauses or sections of this code, the prosecuting officer may elect under which to proceed; but not more than one action shall be commenced against the same person for the same offense; provided, that the revocation of a license or permit shall not be considered a recovery or penalty so as to bar any other penalty being enforced.

Whenever the doing of any act or the omission to do any act constitutes a breach of any section or provision of this code and there shall be no fine or penalty specifically declared for such breach, the provisions of this chapter shall apply.

Further, where provisions of this code provide for civil and criminal penalties and/or remedies, unless otherwise stated, they shall be deemed cumulative and the City may prosecute and pursue both.

1-3-3: LIABILITY OF OFFICERS: No provision of this code designating the duties of any officer or employee shall be so construed as to make such officer or employee liable for any fine or penalty provided for a failure to perform such duty, unless the intent of the council to impose such fine or penalty on such officer or employee is specifically and clearly expressed in the section creating the duty.

1-4: DEPOSITORIES:

1-4-1: DEPOSITORY:

The official depository shall be any financial institution eligible as depository pursuant to Idaho Code section 57-111.

Preference is given to depositories pursuant to Idaho Code section 57-128, but if no satisfactory depository, then to a depository which is located in or has a branch office in Minidoka County, Cassia County, or any investment program authorized by or operated by the State.

Such depositories shall fully comply with the regulations promulgated under Idaho Code title 57, chapter 1, to qualify and retain eligibility as a depository of the public funds of the City.

Depositories shall be declared by resolution with preferential order and maximum deposits or uses.

Limitations on use of depositories shall comply with Idaho Code section 50-1013.

1-5: OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER AND WEBSITE:

1-5-1: OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER AND WEBSITE ESTABLISHED:

The official City newspaper and website for publication and notice shall be the “Times-News” published in Burley and Twin Falls, Idaho, and Minidoka.city.

1-6: CORPORATE SEAL:

1-6-1: CORPORATE SEAL DESCRIBED:

The corporate seal of the City shall be circular in form with inner and outer circles. It shall bear the words “City of Minidoka” and shall be on file in the office of the City clerk.

1-6-2: CORPORATE SEAL ADOPTED:

The seal described in section 1-6-1 of this chapter shall be and the same is hereby adopted as the corporate seal of the City.

1-7: MAYOR:

1-7-1: SPECIAL MEETINGS:

The Mayor may call special meetings of the Council, the object of which shall be submitted to Council in writing and the call and object of which, as well as law required minutes, shall be entered in the journal of City Clerk. The meeting shall comply with all meeting laws under Idaho Code.

1-7-2: ORDINANCES AND CONTRACTS:

Mayor shall execute all ordinances, resolutions, and contracts approved by the Council, including deeds, bonds, warrants, and other agreements to which the City is a party.

1-7-3: MAYOR MAY OFFER REWARD:

Mayor may offer a reward for the arrest and conviction of any person who violates this Code, as provided by law.

1-7-4: EXTRATERRITORIAL POWERS:

Mayor shall have the following extraterritorial powers over all persons, places, and activities located outside the corporate boundaries and by agreement with the County, which shall be by Ordinance recorded by both parties:

A.   Prevent, remove, and abate nuisances located within three (3) miles of municipal corporate boundaries.

B.   Enforce all health and quarantine laws and ordinances against any person or place located within municipal corporate boundaries.

C.   Enforce all laws and ordinances regulating or prohibiting the loading, storage, and transportation of hazardous materials or chemicals within three (3) miles of the municipal corporate boundaries.

D.   Extend City street lighting system for a distance of no greater than two (2) miles outside municipal corporate boundaries.

E.   Review and comment on all platting, zoning, street and surface drainage ordinances applicable within the Area of Impact to the full extent permitted.

F.   Have jurisdiction in all matters vested in him by ordinance, except taxation, within the municipal corporate boundaries, and over such properties as may be owned by the City outside the municipal corporate boundaries.

1-7-5: COMPENSATION OF MAYOR:

In addition to compensation for which a City employee is eligible (PERSI, travel reimbursement, etc) Mayor shall receive a monthly salary of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).

1-7-6: OATH; TERM OF OFFICE:

Mayor shall take office after ascribing to the oath of office and upon receipt of a certificates of election. Subscription to the oath of office and delivery of the certificates of election shall be done at the first regular Council meeting in January of the year following a general election.

1-7-7: DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY:

Each candidate shall file a Declaration of Candidacy with the City Clerk before any Petition of Nomination is signed or circulated. Such declaration shall comply with the standard language by Idaho Code with forms provided by Idaho Secretary of State or recommended by Association of Idaho Cities.

1-7-8: INCUMBENTS, MULTIPLE DECLARATIONS PROHIBITED:

A candidate for election may not seek for more than one elected office at any general election, or hold more than one elected position at any given time.

1-7-9: ELECTIONS AND PETITIONS FOR NOMINATION:

All elections shall be non-partisan in nature and shall be conducted in the manner provided in Idaho Code Title 50 Chapter 4. Candidates for election to the Council shall be nominated by petition in the manner provided by law and in accordance with this Chapter. The number of qualified electors required to sign a petition shall be one (1) per each one hundred (100) population or fraction thereof, but in no event more than forty (40). A qualified elector may sign no more than one nominated petition for each Council seat of up for election. Any such duplicate signature shall be void for all petitions signed in violation of this section.

1-7-10: FORM OF PETITION:

Petitions of Nomination shall comply with the standard language of Idaho Code with forms provided by Idaho Secretary of State or recommended by Association of Idaho Cities.

1-8: COUNCIL:

1-8-1: REGULAR MEETINGS:

One (1) regular meetings of the City Council shall be held each month, respectively on the first Tuesday of each month. The regular meeting place shall be City Council Chambers located at City Hall building, 402 Cherry Street, Minidoka Idaho. Regular meetings shall commence at six o’clock (6:00) PM. Any changes to this schedule, including cancellations, shall be by agreement of the Council in a prior open meeting to provide notice to the public, with posted notice of any changes or cancellation.

1-8-2: SPECIAL MEETINGS:

Upon request of a meeting in writing, any two (2) Council members may call or consent to a special meeting of the Council. The meeting shall comply with all meeting laws under Idaho Code.

1-8-3: OPEN MEETINGS:

All regular and special meetings of Council shall be open to the public as required by Idaho Code. Council may retire to closed executive session as provide by Idaho Code. Meeting shall mean any convocation of a quorum of the Council for deliberating or making a decision on any matter. Law enforcement shall be present at all open meetings.

1-8-4: OATH; TERM OF OFFICE:

Council members shall take office after ascribing to the oath of office and upon receipt of their certificates of election. Subscription to the oath of office and delivery of the certificates of election shall be done at the first regular Council meeting in January of the year following a general election. Newly elected members shall be sworn into office in the same order as the number of votes cast for each member at the same election, the member receiving the most votes to be sworn first. Each member shall serve for a term of four (4) years, or until a successor is elected and sworn, whichever is longer.

1-8-5: COMPENSATION OF COUNCIL MEETINGS:

In addition to compensation for which a City employee is eligible (PERSI, travel reimbursement, etc) Council members shall receive a monthly salary of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

1-8-6: PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL:

At the first regular meeting in January of the year following a general election, Council shall elect one of the Council members as President of the Council. President of the Council shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the Mayor. During any temporary absence or disability of the Mayor, the President of the Council shall exercise the office of Mayor until the Mayor shall return or the disability is removed. In case of vacancy in the office of Mayor, the President shall exercise the office of Mayor until the vacancy is filled. In the temporary absence of the Mayor and the President, the senior member of the Council, as determined from the date and order of swearing in, shall temporarily serve as the President of the Council until the Mayor or President returns. President may sign resolutions upon refusal of the Mayor, or ordinances upon override of a veto of the Mayor.

1-8-7: FUNDS CONTROLLED BY COUNCIL:

All monies and funds belonging to or controlled by the City shall be controlled and administered by the Mayor and Council in the manner required by law and subject to all ordinances, rules, and regulations adopted by the Council as may be necessary for the efficient and prudent use and protection of the same.

1-8-8: ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT BY COUNCIL SEAT:

All members of the Council shall not be elected or appointed to a designated seat on the Council. Council seats are not elected or appointed by Council districts.

1-8-9: DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY:

Each candidate shall file a Declaration of Candidacy with the City Clerk before any Petition of Nomination is signed or circulated. Such declaration shall comply with the standard language by Idaho Code with forms provided by Idaho Secretary of State or recommended by Association of Idaho Cities.

1-8-10: INCUMBENTS, MULTIPLE DECLARATIONS PROHIBITED:

A candidate for election may not seek for more than one elected office at any general election, or hold more than one elected position at any given time.

1-8-11: ELECTIONS AND PETITIONS FOR NOMINATION:

All elections shall be non-partisan in nature and shall be conducted in the manner provided in Idaho Code Title 50 Chapter 4. Candidates for election to the Council shall be nominated by petition in the manner provided by law and in accordance with this Chapter. The number of qualified electors required to sign a petition shall be one (1) per each one hundred (100) population or fraction thereof, but in no event more than forty (40). A qualified elector may sign no more than one nominated petition for a mayor candidate up for election. Any such duplicate signature shall be void for all petitions signed in violation of this section.

1-8-12: FORM OF PETITION:

Petitions of Nomination shall comply with the standard language of Idaho Code with forms provided by Idaho Secretary of State or recommended by Association of Idaho Cities.

1-9: INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM, AND RECALL:

1-9-1: DIRECT LEGISLATION BY THE PEOPLE:

Through the process of initiative, referendum and recall, as hereinafter described and subject to the limitations herein stated, the voters of the City have the right to direct legislation on all lawful matters with the exception, modification or alteration in any respect of any current contractual obligation of the City; and, the calling of any bond election; or, in any other manner affecting, modifying or terminating any existing bonded indebtedness obligation incurred prior to the initiative, referendum and recall process herein described. The City council shall set an application fee by resolution.

1-9-2: PROCEDURE:

The initiative, referendum and recall procedures shall be as set forth in the Idaho Code.

1-9-3: EFFECT OF INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM:

Any direct legislation adopted by the people as above provided and pursuant to a successful election as hereinabove provided, shall have the same force and effect as an ordinance regularly adopted by the City council.

1-10: CITY OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES:

1-10-1: APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF APPOINTED OFFICERS:

The Mayor shall appoint as officers of the City, subject to approval of the City Council as provided by State law, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Treasurer. Any officer appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council may serve in such position until removed in accordance with State law or by resignation. Appointed officers are generally subject to the City’s adopted Personnel Policy, other than those provisions regarding appointment and removal, unless otherwise provided in an employment contract between the officer and the City or otherwise in conflict with City ordinances or State law. The duties of the appointed officers are established by the adopted resolutions of the Council and job description for each position.

1-10-2: EMPLOYEE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

A.   All appointed officers and employees of the City shall serve at the discretion of the Mayor and shall have no right of continued employment or employment benefits, except as agreed in writing and expressly approved by the Council or as authorized in City Personnel Policy, as expressly approved by the Council.

B.    City shall adopt a Personnel Policy and/or Code of Conduct. All employees shall be subject to the Personnel Policy and Code of Conduct, except to the extent such Personnel Policy or Code of Conduct is inconsistent with any written contract approved by the Council, in which case, the contract shall control.

C.   All employees, including appointed officers, shall receive such salaries, benefits, and other compensation as determined by the Council by ordinance, including the City’s annual appropriation ordinance, resolution, written collective bargaining agreement, or other agreement.

D.   All employees shall abide by rules and regulations adopted by the Council and any Department in which they are employed and by rules and regulations adopted by Human Resources Department and approved by the Mayor.

1-10-3: DISCLAIMER:

Nothing in this Chapter shall create a private right, duty, or obligation of the City in favor of any person, or give rise to any private right of action, on account of any failure by the City or any employees to perform the duties prescribed therein.

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New Minidoka Councilman

Mayor Julie Peterson swears in new Councilman Monique Hurst

Earlier this year, I wrote about the City of Minidoka having a new Mayor and Councilman sworn in to City service. At that time, Councilman Bridgett Frost was sworn in to service. She had to move out of Minidoka leaving a vacancy on the City Council. On 7 October 2025, Mayor Peterson appointed a new Councilman, Monique Hurst. Welcome Councilwoman Hurst! (State law calls it Councilman, state law also indicates that it is gender neutral)

The City has recently been in the news. The City has more work to do. The City Clerk and Treasurer positions are now open. The City has hired a new certified water operator, Cody Creek. The City is setting up a new accounting/budgeting/billing/utility software through Caselle. Updates and upgrades are being made to some of the electrical system. The City has achieved compliance with the Idaho Tax Commission and Idaho Controller Office in the past few months. Area of Impact has been assigned. Many more good things are moving forward for this little town. Hopefully the ball can keep rolling and gaining speed despite the odds against it. Many thanks to surrounding towns for their assistance: Burley, Heyburn, Paul, and Rupert.

So many things are moving that residents are becoming more awakened to their sleepy little town. The Mayor and all four Councilman positions were up for election in November. Two of the Councilman positions are for 2 years, the other two are 4 years. But every single seat was contested! Julie Peterson and Becky Ziebach were running for Mayor. Bulmaro Paz, Bonnie Hofmeister, and Mark Cartwright were running for the two 4-year seats. James Cook, Monique Hurst, and Jerry Tolivar are running for the two 2-year seats. That is 8 people running for 5 seats! Elections are healthy. Citizens are willing to work for the bettering of their community.

Julie Peterson will continue on as Mayor. Bulmaro Paz will retain his seat and Bonnie Hofmeister will join him for the 4 year seats. James Cook will retain his seat and Monique Hurst will continue on in her newly appointed seat.

Citizens are willing to work for the bettering of their community.

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As state loses small towns, Minidoka fights to stay alive

A lone pickup leaves the tiny rural town of Minidoka via Broadway Street on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. “The only time we get a crowd is at a city council meeting,” Mayor Julie Peterson told the Times-News.” Now that Minidoka has lost its post office, Peterson says she hopes the town can keep its incorporated status.

DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS

City officials of the tiny town of Minidoka don’t want to end up like their counterparts in Atomic City, Hamer and Oxford.

All three of those Idaho cities have disincorporated over the past five years. Instead of a city council and mayor, county commissioners are now in charge.

“We are fighting,” Minidoka Mayor Julie Peterson said. “Actually, all four city council members, the mayor, and the attorney are doing everything in our power to stay incorporated and to stay compliant with all the government regulations.”

The rural community with a shrinking population sits on 64 acres on the eastern border of Minidoka County, just off Idaho Highway 24 — 13 miles northeast of Rupert and 50 miles southeast of Shoshone.

Idaho Highway 24 near Minidoka is seen Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Minidoka County. Travelers turn right onto Broadway to go into town or left to stay on Highway 24 to go to Shoshone, 50 miles away.

In the dozen or so years that the mayor has lived in Minidoka, she has seen a third of the town’s population disappear, dropping from 112 in 2010 to 75 now.

“Kids are growing up and moving away,” Peterson said.

And now, Minidoka’s post office in the Town Hall is moving out. Later this month, residents will switch to Rupert’s zip code of 83350.

The U.S. Postal Service determined that the Rupert Post Office is “able to fully serve the community,” and the contract post office in Minidoka “is no longer needed,” postal service spokesperson Janella Herron told the Times-News.

“We tried as a city to figure out a way to keep it open,” Peterson said, “but the post office powers that be decided they were just going to close it down.”

The Minidoka Town Hall is seen Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Minidoka County. Until later this month, the Town Hall serves as the tiny community’s post office.

Peterson said she uses the post office for her small business. When it shuts down, she will have to travel to Rupert instead of dropping off her mail in town.

“We’re losing our post office and I know from experience that’s a town killer,” Peterson said.

If the town gave up its incorporated status, she said, Minidoka County could take over the city-owned well and electric provider.

A water tower is seen Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, near Cherry and Broadway streets in the tiny town of Minidoka.

Eventually, “I think the citizens would lose their voice,” the mayor said.

State-imposed budget cap

Few in town “really know what’s going on behind the scenes,” Peterson said. “I don’t think they know the struggles the town is having.”

State law from 2021 is making it difficult for small cities like Minidoka to make plans to grow and pay for infrastructure projects, such as upgrading the city’s well or building a wastewater system.

“House Bill 389 has made it so our really small communities can’t survive and it’s been unfortunate,” said Kelley Packer, executive director of the Association of Idaho Cities.

Speaker of the House Mike Moyle championed House Bill 389 four years ago. The law imposes an 8% annual cap on budget growth for cities across Idaho.

Packer said HB 389 was intended to rein in big cities, but it has hurt small towns the most.

“(Moyle) will not let a solution be heard,” Packer said. “He does not believe the locals. He thinks they are just whining.”

Minidoka City Attorney Paul Ross said HB 389 has been a factor that has led to other cities disincorporating.

“Speaker Moyle and all these pushes that they’ve had to undermine some of these cities and their budgets are totally hammering these little cities,” Ross said.

According to data from Transparent Idaho, Minidoka’s city budget was $167,400 in 2023, with $103,000 in revenue from utility fees and $20,000 from property taxes.

With an 8% cap, the budget can’t grow more than $13,400 per year.

If the people of Minidoka make a strategic, thoughtful plan to grow their city, that cap might make those plans impossible, Packer said.

“One house takes them over that 8% cap now,” she said. “They can’t even — they can’t do it. And that’s what’s happening in these small communities.”

The struggle of a small town

Peterson walks the perimeter of Minidoka with her dog in the mornings.

She picks up garbage if it’s fallen out of dumpsters and uses a spade to pick up goat heads.

“I at least try to help beautify the city up a little bit,” Peterson said.

She was a city councilwoman last spring when the mayor had a heart attack. She became the acting mayor before officially becoming mayor.

The city’s finances were in a bit of trouble when she took over.

A backlog of audits goes back several years, Peterson said. Without an audited budget, cities in Idaho can’t receive state funding.

“They cut you off,” she said. “If you don’t do your audits, if a city doesn’t do their audits, then the state funding … your road tax gets cut off, your sales tax.”

In June, accounting firm Poulsen VanLeuven & Catmull released several years‘ worth of audits, going back to 2022.

According to the fiscal year 2023 audit, the city received a $125,000 USDA Rural Development grant with 3.25% interest for its water system in October 2021. As of September 2023, the remaining balance was $37,000.

That aging water infrastructure is expensive to maintain.

Peterson said the city increased electric rates by $3.50 per month, and the water bill went from $35 to $47.

“We had people coming to City Council saying they can’t afford that increase,” she said.

A mural on an exterior wall of the Town Hall depicts Minidoka’s railroad history, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.

What keeps folks living here?

Most of the Minidoka’s residents work in local agriculture. Many are retired and living on Social Security.

Peterson said most residents own their homes free and clear, but they can’t afford to leave.

Besides, “who’s going to buy them out?” she said.

“We’re trying to keep our identity,” she said. “Minidoka doesn’t want to go away.”

Times-News Editor Mychel Matthews contributed to this story.

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Welcome to June. It is already all planned out!

So, in the next few weeks, I am re-posting a series of posts from 2008. Back then, the glorious internet did not easily allow for photos to be included in a blog. Those photos then had to be posted separately as an album. With the updates of technology and wanting to more fully integrate those photos into the original posts from 2008, I am redoing all the posts from our 6 week European trip. This will help me link the photos with the steps of the trip. So, this is the 17 year reunion of this trip with photos integrated into the posts. This will also be fun to reconstruct and give inserts to the trip from 17 years more experience!

I freely edit any and all the posts to correct or update.

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Boy, am I glad June is here!  My wife has joined me from Virginia after our long separation due to job and school.  What a relief!  I don’t have to worry about her stressing herself out or pursued by a much more dashing, intelligent, catch of a man.

We leave this week for what may be the trip of a lifetime.  How many times in a lifetime, if ever, does one get to go to Europe for 6 weeks?  We will be starting with friends in Belgium, working our way to Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia, Germany, The Netherlands, England, Wales, Scotland, and who knows where else we may stumble.  We cannot afford it, but why not live with some reckless abandon for a little while?  We leave on the 4th to return on the 16th of July.

Amanda packing for Europe

We signed a purchase contract for a home this month.  Somewhere around the 22nd of June we will be closing on a humble home in Oklahoma City.  Who would ever have thought my first home purchase would be in Oklahoma City?  Did I ever think I would move or live in Oklahoma City.  Most certainly not.

Amanda and I just hit all three of the Idaho temples this past week.  Amanda had never been to any of them.  We have now hit all three Idaho and 11 Utah temples.  Before year end, we will have three more in those states to hit to make it complete once again.  I am very sad I will be in Oklahoma City when the dedication of the Twin Falls Temple takes place.  Amanda and I will be helping with the open house in July.  I guess that is some solace for missing the dedication.  I believe Idaho Falls and Manti are still my favorite temples.  The Rexburg Temple has so many beautiful rooms.  However, for some reason I still prefer the sessions that are split up into all their sections.  Manti and Idaho Falls Temples both have you moving between all the rooms.  Manti has the pioneer value and beauty with a live session, but the simplicity of Idaho Falls with its rooms and movement make it a favorite.  Salt Lake certainly has the beauty but the place seems more like a zoo than a temple, especially in the summer with all the sealings.

This past week Amanda spent a day with me at work doing bench testing.  It was a beautiful day and we spent nearly all of it in Minidoka.  The Minidoka Longhorn Cafe and Whitesides Dairy were enjoyable for me.  The wastewater we play with is less than beautiful but it is part of life.  Whether we like it or not, we all have waste and somebody has to deal with it.  I thought Amanda was going to throw up at one point when we were doing some filtration.  She kept it down, luckily.  The day turned out well.  Except for the fact Amanda picked up a tick somewhere.  Not only did she pick him up, the tick dug in and started to sup near the middle of her calf.  She was not a happy camper when she discovered him.  A little polish remover and it backed right out.  Hope it got plenty to eat for the long stay in the septic tank.

For the first time in 8 years since Grandma Ross passed away, all my siblings were back together.  Becky was coming through Southern Idaho so Scott organized a BBQ.  All five of us where there.  It was really quite a bit of fun and I enjoyed myself.  Vicki, Dad’s first wife, was there.  Dad and Jan were there as well.  Andra brought Brian and Daniel and little Daniel was certainly a favorite.

I know I have not been writing as much.  Despite more people reading the blog than ever before, I just don’t feel like I have much to write.  A couple of people want me to write more relevant things that would pertain to them, but how does one write interesting things for everyone?  Then, how does anyone write for someone else and keep their voice and soul into it?

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New Minidoka Mayor and Councilman

Earlier this year, the City of Minidoka had some big changes in leadership. Last year, Mayor Matthew Shaefer resigned for health reasons. Minidoka doesn’t have many registered voters as residents who are also interested in being involved in city government. Further, there are often conflicts where one of the Council is not able to be present. To maintain a full City Council, no action was taken that might remove a member of the Council without a potential replacement. Fortunately, some citizens show interest in getting involved and to assist the work of the City. With a potential to serve on Council, the City was ready to move forward.

On January 7, 2025, the Minidoka City Council appointed a new Mayor. She was sworn in at that time. Welcome to Mayor Julie Peterson!

Clerk Cindy Hruza swears in new Mayor Julie Peterson

Julie Peterson formally resigned her seat on the City Council. That left a vacancy for which she then appointed a new councilman. With that, she appointed Bridget Frost as a new Councilwoman. She was sworn in at that time. Welcome Councilwoman Frost!

Bridget Frost is sworn in by Cindy Hruza. Councilmen Bulmaro Paz (blue hat), Jim Cook (red hat), Mark Cartwright (black coat), and Mayor Julie Peterson watch

I don’t know how many Mayors or Councilman Minidoka has had since its incorporation in 1905, or how many informal Mayors it had from when it was first settled about 1884. Obviously the name of Minidoka was used for the Bureau of Reclamation Project signed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1902 which brought the Minidoka Dam and water to the whole area (but not the City of Minidoka). Minidoka County was created from Lincoln County in 1913. Part of that Reclamation Project also had the later World War II Japanese internment camp, Minidoka Relocation Camp (while not in Minidoka County, it was within the Minidoka Reclamation Project.

There is a new Mayor in Minidoka City. A full City Council too! Time to get down to business.

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Split Butte, Blaine County

Aliza Ross with Eliza, Aleah, Elise, and Anson Hales at Split Butte

Split Butte is located in Blaine County Idaho about 15 miles north of Minidoka Idaho. It isn’t far to the east of the territory of the Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve.

Ross and Hales families walking back to the truck at the bottom of the crater

Split Butte looking northwest, a phreatomagmatic maar-type volcano comprised of a tephra ring and inner basalt lava lake. The lava lake partially flowed over the southwest rim and collapsed leaving a circular shelf of basalt within the crater. 

It isn’t far from the Wapi Flow that nearly reached the volcano.

It is an other-worldly type of place. The heat, the barrenness of the desert, and the constant wind erosion of the rocks makes it unique.

Hales and Ross families exploring the exposed ring of Split Butte

Brad & Rachel Hales came to visit in early June 2021. We ventured out to the desert. For Split Butte we sardined all 13 members of our families into my air-conditioned 2014 Ford F-150 for the trek from the main road to Split Butte. That turned into a story of its own.

I took this panorama from the highest point I could attain. You cannot even really make out my truck at the bottom.

I must comment how disappointed I am that some people have done damage or not tried to preserve this phenomenal feature for future generations. Garbage is minimal, but the off-road vehicles going to this place are not careful and undermine the beauty and grandeur that still exists. I hope if you make a visit you will leave it better than you found it.

Split Butte with is accompanying Crater/Caldera from June 2021
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An Appalling Tragedy Occurred on the Morning of July Fourth

The Rupert Democrat 4 July 1917

Several months ago I took my Dad and Step-Mother out to the Minidoka-Acequia-Rupert Cemetery north of Rupert Idaho. I had inherited 11 graves in the cemetery from the Phibbs family. 7 are together in one location, four in another. We were there on that occasion to pick out their final resting place. A somber experience if you think about it.

We walked around both sets of graves and picked out their preferred location. They picked out two graves that they wanted and we visited for a little while. While there, we looked at some of their future neighbors.

There were three graves that caught our attention. Older graves from 1917 in which it appeared all three had died the same year. Two male names and a female, we thought it looked like a father and mother and son. That raised enough questions that I researched them. Here is what is on the grave stones:

George E Davies 1908 – 1917

Hyrum E Davies 1879 – 1917

Mercy M Davis 1881 – 1917

The investigation began. It was not that hard to find their connections on FindaGrave as husband and wife and son. They had all died the same date, 4 July 1917, over 105 years ago.

I started researching the online newspapers for Rupert, Idaho. I found the Rupert Democrat from 4 July 1917 above. Here is the text of that article:

AN APPALLING TRAGEDY OCCURED ON THE MORNING OF JULY FOURTH

MR. AND MRS. HYRUM E. DAVIES AND NINE YEAR OLD SON GEORGE, WERE DROWNED IN MAIN CANAL NEAR ACEQUIA ON MORNING OF FOURTH.

BODIES HAVEN’T BEEN RECOVERED

Victims Were Enroute to the Minidoka Dam to Spend the Day Fishing When Auto Plunged Over the Embankment.

Mr. and Mrs. Hyrum E Davies and their son George, of this city met an untimely and deplorable death on the morning of July Fourth, when the auto in which they were riding skidded and plunged into the canal at a point in the canal road seven miles east of this city and one and one-half miles east of Acequia. Mr. and Mrs. Davies in company with Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Houghton and two small children were on their way to the Dam in Mr. Davies’ big Case auto, whey they had planned to spend the day fishing when the dreadful accident occured. Mr. Davies was driving and Mr. Houghton occupied the front seat with him and was holding his four year old son, the two ladies and Mr. Houghton’s two year old boy and the nine year old son of Mr. Davies occuping the rear seat; the car was running along at about twenty miles an hour, the rear wheel coming in contact with a rut caused the car to skid and the driver evidently lost control of the machine and before it was brought to a stop had plunged down the embankment and was submerged in eight foot of water in the middle of the canal. Mr. Houghton floundered out of the car and holding onto it with one hand succeeded in placing his little four year old son safely on top of the car. He then drug his wife from the car and assisted her to safety on the auto top also, the little eighteen months old son came to surface about twenty feet down stream from the auto a few seconds later and he (Houghton) quickly rescued it, after a strenuous tussle with the swift current in his efforts to return to the car.

Houghton kept close watch expecting to render aid to the other three when they appeared on the surface, but he watched in vain, the swift under current evidently took them down stream, at any rate Mr. Houghton is positive that none of the bodies appeared on the surface after he had gotten his wife to safety.

Mr. Houghton relates that before the car was completely submerged that Mrs. Davies collapsed and was firmly holding her son, George, in her arms, that the husband was attempting to get from under the steering gear and was reaching for his wife and it is the opinion of Mr. Houghton that the three were taken down the stream clinging to one another. Mr. Davies could swim but the weight of his wife and boy was too much for him to master.

Mr. Davies was an inexperienced driver, having purchased his car about one month ago. The emergency brake was set firmly when hauled out of the canal.

The Packham brothers, who were driving a buggy closely behind the car were witnesses to the tragedy, one of the young med hurriedly secured a rope at the home of L. A. Darr and succeeded in bringing the Houghtons to shore with the assistance of his brother and guard on the canal who had been attracted to the scene by the other young man.

A rescue party was soon organized after word had reached this city by ‘phone, and hastened to the place where the accident took place and a diligent search was kept up all during the day until a late hour at night for the bodies but at this writing none of the unfortunate victims have been recovered.

Mr. and Mrs. Davies had been residents of Rupert for the past three months, moving here from Salt Lake City in the early part of April. Mr. Davies was a carpenter by occupation.

As a result of the horrible disaster four little children will never again perceive the pleasures of a doting and solicitious father and mother. The surviving children, who were to spend their Fourth in Rupert at the request of their parents, include three girls and a boy, namely Virginia, aged fifteen; Gladys, aged twelve; Nelva, aged five and Erwin aged two. They will be cared for by their aunt, Mrs. A. G. Morris of this city, Mr. Morris being a brother of Mrs. Davies. Another brother, S. N. Morris resides at Salt Lake City. Mrs. Mollie Wheeler of this city is also related to the Davies family.

While the Davies family was not very well known in this city, their tragic and sudden death cast a shadow of sadness and gloom over our city which detracted from the enjoyment of the celebration to a noticeable extent.

The Houghtons are also recent new comers to Rupert, having moved here from LaGrande, Oregon, less than a month ago. Mrs. Houghton is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Workman of this city. The Davies family was in no way related to the Houghtons.

Mr. Davies was thirty-six years of age and his wife thirty-five. They were married sixteen years ago in Utah. They were members of the L. D. S. church.

I also found this article.

Article from Salt Lake

HYRUM E. DAVIES, formerly of Salt Lake, who with his wife and child, was drowned near Rupert, Idaho, yesterday.

AUTOMOBILE PLUNGE DROWNS 3 PERSONS

Former Salt Lake Residents Die When Machine Falls Into Canal Dam.

Two former Salt Lakers, ,Mr. and Mrs. Hyrum E. Davies, and their 4-year-old son were drowned in the Minidoka project canal near Rupert, Idaho, yesterday afternoon when their automobile plunged over an embankment. The bodies have not been recovered.

First word of the drowning was received in this city by Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Strong, 360 Ninth East street, Mrs. Strong being a sister of Mr. Davies.

Communication by wire with Sheriff Hiram Thompson of Lincoln County, Idaho, established the fact that early in the afternoon Mr. & Ms. Davies started for the Snake river dam, which diverts the water into the Minidoka project canal. They had with them their 4-year-old son, leaving the four elder children at home.

When a short distance out of Rupert Mr. Davies, who was driving the automobile, appears to have lost control of the car as it struck a deep chuck hole in the road. The vehicle went over the embankment into the canal, which at that point is about eight feet deep and 120 feet wide.

Persons driving along the road later saw the automobile in the canal and notified the officers. A searching party was immediately formed and the work of attempting to find the three bodies was begun. Up to the last reports received late last night no success had been realized in the effort. The search was continued and a screen was stretched across the canal at a point some distance below the point of drowning to catch the bodies in case efforts made by men on a rapidly-constructed raft should fail.

Mr. Davies had lived in Salt Lake City about thirty-five years and until six weeks ago, when he moved his family to Rupert, Idaho, was employed as a motorman for the Utah Light & Traction company. The family lived at 650 Ely avenue which is between Seventh and Eighth East and Seventh and Eighth South streets.

Surviving Mr. Davies are four sisters, Mrs. E. J. Strong and Mrs. David McCleery of this city, Mrs. A. Freeman of Ogden and Mrs. E. T. Knotts of Shawnee, Okla.

Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Strong left here for Rupert on the midnight O. S. L. train last night. Upon recover of the bodies they will probably be brought to Salt Lake for burial.

I was unable at this time to find any updates to the story for when the bodies were found or obituaries. I will update if I find that information.

Hyrum Edward Davies, born 12 August 1879 in Cottonwood, Salt Lake, Utah.

Mercy Mathews Morris, born 28 January 1881 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.

Hyrum and Mercy were married 16 October 1901 in Mercur, Tooele, Utah.

Hyrum and Mercy had five children, Virginia, Gladys, George, Afton, Erwin.

Mercy Virginia Davies, born 19 July 1902 in Salt Lake City, Utah, died 24 Ocober 1977 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.

Gladys Orlean Davies, born 19 March 1905 in Salt Lake City, Utah, died 10 December 1964 in Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada.

George Edward Davies, born 8 March 1908 in Salt Lake City, Utah, died 4 July 1917 in Minidoka County, Idaho.

Afton Elva Davies, born 13 August 1911 in Albion, Cassia, Idaho, died 26 October 2001 in Orange County, California.

Hyrum Erwin Davies, born 8 March 1915 in Salt Lake City, Utah, died 15 September 1996 in Barstow, San Bernardino, California.