Awards of Excellence

Lee Belt, City of Greenleaf

When this nominee for the Administrator of the Year was appointed the city clerk, it was a unique and difficult time for the City of Greenleaf. The mayor had been recalled and two city council members, the public services director, the city clerk/treasurer, and the city attorney had resigned. When he was hired, he worked with the new council and mayor to rebuild and pick up the pieces. 20 years later he’s still working for the city and is a very well-respected employee who helps other clerks when needed. He has assisted The Association of Idaho Cities (AIC), has co-chaired on the AIC Legislative Committee, chaired on the Idaho Clerks, Treasurers, & Finance Officers Association, and chaired for the Reginal Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC). He’s certified by the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) as a Road Master, he’s completed ICRMP’s risk management program, and is a certified Risk Manager by the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA). He keeps their city current on items needed like CCRs, their Emergency Response Plan, and Security Vulnerability to name a few. He’s their center of communication and he’s a privilege to work with.

Sjon Spens - City of Weiser

The individual nominated for the Rookie of the Year Award from the beginning was an employee with a great attitude, the ability to tackle any assignment with grace, and had the determined focus on doing a thorough and complete job. He is a shining bright light who always has a smile, has learned the duties of the wastewater and collection systems, and has passed his Wastewater Treatment Class 1 exam and Wastewater Collections 1 exam very quickly. He is always asking questions and has a fascination and curiosity for the industry trade. This individual spends every lunch break and every bit of spare time learning and studying the different parts of the job. He’s learned how to spot problems at the wastewater plant, runs the combo truck independently, continually keeps the vehicles maintained, and has a good understanding of the 25 miles of collections system that the city has. He’s an inspiration and a moral booster for the wastewater treatment plant team. He starts every morning with a quote, “It’s going to be the best day ever.”

Mike Shepherd - City of Weiser 

The nominee for the Drinking Water Operations Specialist of the Year has been in the industry for over 17 years and is now the lead treatment plan operator for the Weiser Water Treatment Facility. He holds a Class 4 Treatment License as well as a Class 3 Distribution License. He strives to produce the highest quality of water possible by analyzing water quality parameters of the Snake and Weiser River basins to ensure regulatory compliance is maintained. He’s always trying to improve his knowledge of treatment and control processes and strives to be the best operator possible. This individual consistently volunteers to come in during challenging treatment conditions like power outages, weather emergencies, and unforeseen plant scenarios to assist area systems and his coworkers. He helps train new operators when needed to make sure they are prepared for license exams. He is very active in his community and has been a member of the AWWA PNWCWA Backflow and Cross Connection Subcommittee, a city representative on Local Watershed Advisory Group (WAG), a board member and chairman of Idaho Board of Water and Wastewater Professionals, on the DEQ Drinking Water Advisory Committee, and a part of the IRWA Apprenticeship Committee.

Doug Amick - City of Weiser

This nominee for the Wastewater Operations Specialist of the Year was a former Mayor of the City of Wilder and understands functionality and the requirements of city government as well as budgeting. With over 20 years as a former Chief of a Rural Fire District, this individual understands safety, emergency response, leadership, and supervisory skills. Being a former small business owner and master craftsman operating a repair shop specializing in metal fabrication for the agricultural community, he understands business and problem solving. Due to his operational management, the Greenleaf Municipal Wastewater System has not received any significant permit violations and has been recognized for discharge permits in the annual Idaho Conservation League Idaho Wastewater Treatment Plant Report, which identifies Greenleaf’s system as one of 31 facilities in Idaho to have zero discharge violations during 2021 and 2022 review periods. He continues to be interested in the industry by obtaining licenses and has a Wastewater Operator Class 1 license, a Wastewater Collections Class 1 license, and a Drinking Water Operator Class 1 license with plans to take the Wastewater Operator Class 2 exam. This individual maintains a teachable attitude and exceeds in his leadership and collaboration with others.

City of Greenleaf

The community being recognized as the Wastewater System of the Year has yet to have any significant permit violations after these last 10 years of operations. This system has been recognized for discharge permits in the annual Idaho Conservation League Idaho Wastewater Treatment Plant Report, which identifies this system as one of only 31 facilities in the state to have zero discharge violations during both the 2021 and 2022 review periods. ICL’s reports also recognizes this system as 1 of only 7 facilities in the state with no discharge violations in the 2019-2021 review periods. The performance of the system goes hand in hand with the city’s mayor and council including: oxidation-ditch treatment methodology for a project under City Engineer Amy Woodruff, selection and retention of gifted staff like Doug Amick and Jason Wereley, effective fiscal management, and recognizing the opportunity when approached to participate in an industry-driven pilot study by Boise State University for BioSolutions USA Inc.’s validation project utilizing new technology for reduction of phosphorus and solids by enhancing the biological process.
 

 City of Weiser

This nominee for the Drinking Water System of the Year comprises of a 3mgd surface water treatment plant, 3.5 million gallons of above ground water storage, 43 miles of distribution piping, and 2414 service connections. They go above and beyond to deliver superior quality drinking water and the operators continually monitor, make adjustments, and treat both the Weiser and Snake Rivers to produce the highest quality of water possible. They also work with water sheds in both Idaho and Oregon to stay updated on events that may impact their system or other neighboring systems. This system makes sure the water quality in the distribution system that is delivered to homes and businesses is managed well and maintains its infrastructure to reduce repairs. This system acts accordingly to complaints and concerns to resolve customer issues. They have a growing system of over 40 miles of distribution pies and transmission mains, and they are continually making improvements and working on projects to keep up with the growth of the community. Within the past year they’ve added 2 new subdivisions with an additional 88 connections, nearly completed a rehab project on one of their main reservoirs at a cost of 1.4 million dollars, and have completed comprehensive GIS mapping of all meters, valves, and fire hydrants.

Governor Brad Little 

Each year we recognize a friend and champion of rural water.  Someone who has made a significant difference to our industry and to many of you.  The recognition we are sharing this evening is well deserved and has helped many public drinking water and wastewater utility systems, operators, and thousands of Idaho citizens.
This individual recognizes the importance providing all Idaho citizens clean, safe drinking water and understands the challenge of keeping up with increasing regulatory requirements and the growing financial demands of dated, failing infrastructure.  The cost of replacing or expanding systems has become especially challenging!
With each of you in mind, this person championed tens of millions of strategic investments in long-term water projects and safe water systems for our communities. This individual has also strongly supported the “tried-and-true” DEQ low-interest rate loan, a state grant revolving loan program. Furthermore, it was this person’s recommendation to invest in Idaho through their “Leading Idaho” initiative, that resulted in an additional $115 million in water and sewer grant funds that were made available during last year’s legislative session with the support of the Idaho House and Senate members.
We all know grants are difficult to come by! 
More than 200 projects benefited from this additional investment through infrastructure cost assistance or engineering planning studies.  All regions of the state received assistance as well as communities of all sizes. 
I am extremely pleased to be speaking on behalf of all of you tonight to express our utmost thanks to Brad Little for his support of Idaho’s drinking water.  Thank you Governor for your “Leading Idaho” initiative and your investment in Idaho!  Please join me in in recognizing Governor Little as a Friend of Rural Water. 

DEQ Loan and Grant Program -  pictured, Jerri Henry accepting on their behalf

Each year we recognize a friend and champion of rural water.  Someone who has made a significant difference to our industry and to most of you.  The recognition we are sharing this evening is long overdue and well deserved.

This year we are also pleased to have the opportunity to recognize a 2^nd friend of Rural Water.  This partner is critical in facilitating the Governor’s “Leading Idaho” initiative. 
Prior to the federal government’s significant investment in water infrastructure through ARPA, otherwise known as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the historical loan requests to DEQ were approximately $109 to $300 million annually from about 70 to 75 applications.  Hearing that the ARPA funds allocated to Idaho for water were more than $1 billion, and that the funds were in the form of grants and not loans, Idaho communities worked hard to prepare and submit applications for projects needing to be completed but difficult to fund.  In 2023, DEQ received an unprecedented # of applications with requests in excess of $1.4 billion!  DEQ quickly went to work on more than 300% the # of applications and more than 3x the dollar value of applications! 
DEQ demonstrated to our state leadership the efficient and effective manner in place and was able to get nearly all the ARPA funds awarded in less than a year!  [with emphasis] They did this with 300% the workload and very few additional staff and in the same time period.
Seeing the need for infrastructure investment – demonstrated through the applications received - and the effective process in place, the Governor entrusted DEQ to manage additional grant funds through the “Leading Idaho” initiative.
100s of systems and thousands of people have benefited tremendously from DEQs work.  While the need for additional investment remains, we are grateful for your hard work and commitment to help our communities with the high costs of infrastructure needs.  Please join me in expressing our gratitude to the Loans and Grants Bureau of DEQ for their hard work and dedication. 
With us this evening to accept the award on behalf of the Loans and Grants Bureau lead by MaryAnna Peavey (Bureau Chief) is their advocate and leader Jerri Henry, the Drinking Water Protection & Finance Division Administrator for DEQ.

Chelsie Johnson, City of Wilder

Kelly Dahlquist Community Impact Award

 This nominee for the Kelly Dahlquist Community Impact Award goes above and beyond for the city she works for and the community she lives in. While being the City of Wilder’s Public Works Superintendent, she’s responsible for the water system, wastewater system, parks, irrigation system, roads, and the streets. She’s also the Administrator of the Wilder Housing Authority – Chila Vista Complex where she’s responsible for 120 low-income housing units in the City of Wilder. She oversees the maintenance crew that reports to tenants’ needs and housing repairs. In her free time on the weekends, she is a full time Parma Fire Department fire fighter, EMT, and she volunteers for the Wilder Rural Fire Department when she can. She teaches CPR classes and has taught classes to City of Wilder employees, helping save lives over the years. She is always available to assist surrounding cities and keeps great relationships with them all.

City of Hollister