***Monday, March 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Kyle Watts entered the meeting at 9:02 a.m.
Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:05 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Quitclaim Deed with ITD for project No. FAP 20-E(1) and Project No. NH-F-5116(026). Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign IDL RFF#5 for Grant #22HFR1-Boundary. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioners acknowledged from their meeting last week with Mr. Ailport that the funding for reimbursement is unknown at this time due the federal funding freeze, but stated the contractors need to be paid for the work that was done prior to the freeze.
9:10 a.m., Commissioners held proceedings to consider renewing Boundary County Alcoholic Beverage License for year 2025. Present were: Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims, Greg Lamberty and Kyle Watts. The proceedings were recorded.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the County Alcohol Beverage License Application for year 2025 for Bonners Ferry Holt Corp dba Bonners Ferry Pizza Factory pending receipt of all required documentation and applicable fees. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting to consider the beverage license ended at 9:13 a.m. and Commissioners signed the documents presented.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Boundary County/Kootenai County Juvenile Detention Housing Agreement. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Fay Almond entered the meeting at 9:25 a.m.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:38 a.m. Mr. Wilson stated it has been business as usual with some HR issues and public records requests. He stated he will need more direction in order to move forward with the Falls Creek Rd agreement. Commissioner Bertling stated that he will contact the partners involved.
The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 9:55 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Mr. Watts described issues he is encountering with commercial and residential landfill fees since the new fee schedule was implemented. He was not asking to haul more or pay less than what has been set by the board. However, there are inconsistencies because he hauls his own commercial instead of having a third party handle it for him. Commissioners stated that they will take his comments into consideration.
The meeting with Mr. Watts ended at 10:14 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Mr. Lamberty and Ms. Almond left the meeting at 10:15 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to extend all taxes, interest and fees due on parcel #RP63N01E347805A to be paid in full by July 3, 2025. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:
Current Expense $ 97,188.99
Road & Bridge 72,579.20
Airport 11,075.45
District Court 15,691.74
Justice Fund 101,432.08
911 Funds 5,855.62
Parks & Recreation 4,166.92
Solid Waste 27,689.51
Tort 4,869.00
Veterans Memorial 139.25
Weeds 66.74
Restorium 27,931.94
Snowmobile 576.86
Waterways 798.65
Road & Bridge Tribal Fuel Fund 71.64
Grants, Airport 35,164.45
Juvenile Probation – Lottery 108.64
Grants, Fire Mitigation 15,179.50
LATCF Fund 9,000.00
TOTAL $429,586.18
Trusts
Auditor’s Trust - Misc. 125.38
Boundary Co. Drug Court Trusts 1,830.87
Driver’s License Trust 9,482.00
Sherriff’s Trust Fund 367.15
Odyssey Court Trust Account 30,695.22
Odyssey Bond Trust Account 5,184.00
Odyssey Restitution Trust Account 2,597.02
TOTAL $50,281.64
GRAND TOTAL $479,867.82
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2024-2025).
Assessor Olivia Drake and staff person Valerie Struger entered the meeting at 11:00 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to recess as Boundary County Board of Commissioners and convene as Boundary County Board of Equalization. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners reviewed the Property Tax Exemption Applications that have been received so far and Ms. Drake read the Idaho Code that was applicable. Commissioners decided to proceed by code type.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve property tax exemptions under Idaho Code 63-602B on parcels RP63N01E350621A, RP61N01E208414A, RP62N01E150760A, RP61N01E040390A, RPB0000022542AA and RPB0160002007BA. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve property tax exemption under Idaho Code 63-602E for parcel RPB0080003004AA. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve property tax exemptions under Idaho Code 63-602C for parcels RP65N01W217349A, RP65N01W246910A, RP61N01E327280A and RP62N01E111400A. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Drake stated that a couple of the entities don’t know who currently owns the parcels so they are trying to clean that up. However, that may take a year or more as they work through the court system. Others are updating deeds and mailing addresses so the Assessor’s Office will know who to contact in the future.
Commissioner Bertling moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Board of Equalization and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Drake and Ms. Struger left the meeting at 11:37 a.m. and Commissioners recessed for lunch.
Commissioners reconvened at 1:30 p.m. with Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Road & Bridge Co-superintendents Brad Barton and Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:32 p.m. Mr. Barton stated that they have been working on the GPS of county signs, locate and install of new signs, salting and brining, cold patching and placement/pickup of traffic counters.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Bidding and Contract Documents for Sunrise Road Project. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go into executive session 74-206(b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public-school student. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Commissioner’s voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. Executive session ended at 2:00 p.m. with no action taken.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go into executive session 74-206(a) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need. This paragraph does not apply to filling a vacancy in an elective office or deliberations about staffing needs in general. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Commissioner’s voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. Executive session ended at 2:34 p.m. and Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals left the meeting. No action was taken.
At 2:34 p.m. Cassie Olson Soil Conservation District Administrator, and board members Dave Wattenbarger, and Ken Irons entered the meeting. Ms. Olson stated that she was there on behalf of the Soil Conservation to give their annual report and ask for funds for the Soil Conservation District. The funds help with their general fund and are greatly appreciated. Ms. Olson reported on data collected from the boat check stations in 2024, and that the same location will be used for boats that are headed north. From the data collected the boats that are headed south are not headed to the Kootenai River. The station provided 10 full time positions last year with seven wanting to return for the 2025 season.
Commissioner Robertson asked about the scale location. Ms. Olson responded that it was a good location to consider, but felt the traffic didn’t warrant that location.
Ms. Olson stated that they are gearing up for ag week and the farm tour which is tentatively set for May 16th. She is still working on locations. Ms. Olson stated that they will be submitting a grant application for water quality for agriculture and feels they should rank well because they did not apply last year.
The meeting with the Boundary Soil Conservation ended at 2:55 p.m. and Ms. Olson, Mr. Wattenbarger and Mr. Irons left the meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting ended at 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
At 2:00 p.m., Commissioners held a public hearing for Nancy Mabile with Panhandle Area Council, to present the grant proposal to be submitted to Idaho Department of Commerce, Rural Community Investment Fund (RCIF). The proposed project is to create a new access to Panhandle Door, Inc. from US 95 as required by their conditional use permit. Those in attendance were Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims, Nancy Mabile with Panhandle Area Council, Nelson Mast owner of Panhandle Door and David Sims Boundary Economic Development Director. The hearing was recorded.
Chairman Robertson briefly reviewed the public hearing procedures. Commissioners cited no conflicts of interest. Chairman Robertson then asked Ms. Mabile to present the grant application.
Ms. Mabile stated that the public hearing was a requirement of the grant application. The handbook was available for anyone to look at the meeting or online. She stated that Panhandle Door is a major employer in Boundary County and is accessed via a private road which is also serves four homes. The business experiences daily traffic volume of approximately 200 vehicles each day. In addition, it accommodates two 26-foot truck deliveries each day and four semi-truck deliveries per week. Both Boundary County and ITD require the business to construct a new driveway to access the highway. The new access necessitates the construction of turning and merging lanes to meet ITD standards and the CUP stipulates that it must be completed by December 31, 2025.
Ms. Mabile reviewed the location, site map, estimated engineering cost, photos, budget and schedule for the project. She stated Panhandle Door is a cornerstone of the Boundary County Community providing 72 jobs and benefits of this business include job retention within the county as well as job quality and benefits to those employees. The business also supports 12.96 additional jobs in other sectors. Panhandle Door brings in $8 million of revenue to North Idaho of which $5.5 million is from out of state.
Chairman Robertson asked if there were any clarifying questions from the Commissioners. There were none. Chairman Robertson then opened the hearing to public comment and asked if there was anyone who wished to speak in favor of the project.
Economic Development Director David Sims stated that Panhandle Doors is one of the top five private employers in Boundary County. It is also important to note that as a manufacturing business it brings money into Boundary County from outside the area. He also stated that it is not unusual to seek this type of funding for highway improvements. Locally both Super 1 and Shopko needed to make improvements and they both applied for and received urban renewal funds. Panhandle Door is located outside of the urban renewal area, so this is their option for funding.
Chairman Robertson asked if anyone would like to speak as uncommitted or in opposition to the project. No one spoke. Chairman Robertson asked if the Commissioners had any questions for the public. There were none. Chairman Robertson closed the hearing to public comments and called for deliberation.
Commissioner Bertling stated that this is a good opportunity to improve that area and the road into Panhandle Door.
Commissioner Pinkerton stated that it was important to move as rapidly as possible for the benefit of everyone involved.
Commissioner Bertling moved to accept and sign the grant application for Rural Community Investment Fund. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the letter to the Department of Commerce. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to direct Ms. Mabile to submit the application on Boundary County’s behalf. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Robertson closed the public hearing at 2:18 p.m.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk