***Monday, March 17, 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.
Fay Almond entered the meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:13 a.m.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:30 a.m. to give an update on legal issues he has been working on. Commissioners discussed the buildings at the fairgrounds that are potentially owned by other groups. Mr. Wilson stated that we need to review the history to find answers to identify ownership. The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 9:50 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Kaila Banks and James Solt. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Commissioner meeting minutes from 3/10. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Annual Boundary Soil District request for FY2026. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to reappoint Jay Wages, Don Jordan and Scott Hittle to the Airport Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign letters of appointment for the Airport Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign and adopt Resolution 2025-17 to Increase the Road & Bridge Budget Due to Receipt of Surplus Auction Funds. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2025-17
INCREASING THE ROAD & BRIDGE BUDGET
DUE TO RECEIPT OF SURPLUS AUCTION FUNDS
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of Idaho, did establish an operating budget for the Boundary County Road and Bridge Budget for fiscal year 2024-2025, and
WHEREAS, Boundary County has received from 3 Mile Auction, funds from the a surplus auction from the sale of items from Road and Bridge Department in the amount of $29,305.45 during the month of January 2025, and
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Road & Bridge Budget is in need of additional revenue for fiscal year 2024-2025, and
WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue does not affect the tax levy for Boundary County, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase the Boundary County Road & Bridge Budget Fund 02-00-803, and
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,
IT IS RESOLVED, that the increase to the Boundary County Road & Bridge Expense Account Number as outlined above is hereby authorized and ordered, and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk is instructed to deliver certified copies of this resolution to the Boundary County Treasurer and the Boundary County Auditor.
DATED this 17 day of March, 2025
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/_________________________
Ben Robertson, Chairman
s/______________________________
Tim Bertling, Commissioner
s/______________________________
Lester Pinkerton, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/ ______
Glenda Poston, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded Instrument #299401
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Final RFF for Federal Grant 3-16-0004-024-2024. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Jeff Lindsey entered the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to recess the Board of Boundary County Commissioners and convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the minutes from February 18, 2025. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Lindsey stated that they have been working to fill two positions and have struggled to keep up with staffing transfers as a result. They held interviews last Friday and have filled both positions. The individuals hired are now working through the paperwork and background checks.
The meeting with Chief Lindsey ended at 10:04 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance District Governing Board and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Greg Lamberty and Fay Almond left the meeting at 10:05 a.m.
Theresa Wheat with Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI) entered the meeting at 10:28 a.m. Heather Fuller was unable to attend due to a conflict.
Ms. Wheat handed out the KVRI meeting agenda. She stated that Libby Dam will give a brief update and Heather Fuller will then give a presentation on the Explore Act with Good Neighbor Authority.
Commissioner Robertson asked if KVRI could reach out for a presentation on the archeological dig at McArthur Lake. Ms. Wheat stated she would work on getting a presentation on a future agenda.
The meeting with Ms. Wheat ended at 10:48 a.m. and she left the meeting.
Cory Trapp with Longwell Trapp Architects entered the meeting at 10:55 a.m.
Mr. Trapp stated that at their last meeting Commissioners requested a phased approach to the project and he reviewed the various options to that approach with a phase 1 and 2 as well as what would be included in each.
Chairman Robertson asked if there was any cost savings to doing it all at once instead of in phases. Mr. Trapp answered yes there would be a savings of about $300,000-500,000. Chairman Robertson asked if they could advertise for bids which included both so they could see the numbers as a complete project or phased. Mr. Trapp answered yes, we can.
Chairman Robertson asked what the timeline would be. Mr. Trapp stated it would take about four months to do the drawings, a month for bids and a month for permits. They could then work on the inside of the building through the winter and the outside in spring.
Commissioner Bertling stated that he thought they should go out for bids to see where we are at. Commissioner Pinkerton and Chairman Robertson agreed. They also stated to reach out to Steve Gill, with Idaho DEQ about funding for asbestos abatement.
At 11:30 a.m. Sheriff Stolley and Chief Deputy Zimmerman entered the meeting. Mr. Trapp reviewed the plans to get their input regarding the areas that would be frequently used by inmates and deputies.
The meeting with Sheriff Stolley and Deputy Chief Zimmerman ended at 11:40 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Commissioners directed Mr. Trapp to complete the plans and advertise for bids. We can then see what the numbers come back as and adjust if needed. The meeting with Mr. Trapp ended at 11:45 and he left the meeting.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:55 a.m.
The meeting reconvened at 1:30 p.m.
Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:28 p.m. to give the Road & Bridge report. Mr. Barton stated that in the last week they have been working on sign work, bridge work, sweeping and setup/pickup of traffic counters. They are beginning to switch gears to get the pit up and running. Mr. Barton stated they have been having reliability issues with their current forklift and would like to use some funds from their auction proceeds to replace it. Commissioners discussed the issues with the current forklift and confirmed attributes of the potential replacement.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the purchase of 2019 Toyota Forklift as presented. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals informed the Commissioners that they were awarded the grants for the Parker Canyon project as well as the grant for the height detection sign for the Naples bridge. At this time, they are unsure when the funds will be available for the projects.
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 and 74-206(c) to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. The executive session ended at 2:30 p.m. No action taken.
Due to the Commissioners running behind schedule, the 2:00 p.m. Human Resources appointment was cancelled.
At 2:35 p.m. Deputy Clerk Rebekah Jensen joined the meeting for an indigent matter. The meeting was closed per Idaho Code 31-874. The closed session ended at 2:40 p.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to write off indigent accounts 2022-8 and 2022-5. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Jenson left the meeting at 2:42 p.m.
Mary Ollie entered the meeting at 2:47 p.m. and stated that she has always had an interest in the vertical distribution of government. She is frequently amazed at how little information legislators have from the people they represent and then they pass laws that local governments are left with implementing. She wanted to bring to the Commissioners attention, House Bill 253 which is about public records requests.
Commissioner Bertling asked how she felt about the bill Ms. Ollie answered that she was not sure if it would help or hinder the process. In some counties throughout the state they have had to hire someone to handle the frequent requests, many of which are a fishing expedition. It has become a burden to the local agencies and is wasting large sums of tax payer money.
Ms. Poston described some of the request her office has been receiving.
Commissioner Robertson stated I don’t see a good solution. The number of requests is increasing and that costs the tax payers.
Ms. Ollie thanked the Commissioners for their time and she left the meeting at 3:15 p.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to recess the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and convene as the Board of Equalization. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve property tax exemptions under Idaho Code 63-602B on parcels RPB06500000110A, RP62N02E076462A, RPB00000342881A, RPB1060002002AA, RPB0780004001AA and RPB0780003010AA; and under Idaho Code 63-602C on parcel #RPB0880002011CA. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to adjourn as the Board of Equalization and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties until the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
At 9:00 a.m. Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Those present were:
Planning & Zoning Administrator Ben Jones, Veterans Service Officer Ron Self, Road & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Adam Ryals, Solid Waste Superintendent Richard Jenkins, Personnel Director Pam Barton, Assessor Olivia Drake, University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson, Emergency Management Andrew O’Neel, Probation Alyssa Walker, Prosecuting Attorney Andrakay Pluid, Treasurer Jenny Economu, and Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith.
Commissioners went around the room for office updates from the various departments in attendance. Commissioners then asked the departments to describe what they are experiencing in regards to public records requests.
Civil Processing Mike Rosenthal joined the meeting at 9:20 a.m. and described what the sheriff’s office is experiencing. He is currently receiving 12-24 requests a day many of which are extremely broad. It is taking all of his time to keep up.
The meeting ended at 9:27 a.m. and the elected officials/department heads left the meeting.
Commissioners discussed the information they received from the various departments regarding public records requests and the strain it is putting on departments.
The meeting ended at 10:30 a.m.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk