Commissioners’ – Week of August 10, 2026

Meeting Minutes

***Monday, August 10, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims. Chairman Ben Robertson and Clerk Glenda Poston were absent.

 Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to appoint Commissioner Bertling as acting chair. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Steve Tanner entered the meeting at 9:00 a.m. and stated he wanted to talk about the take it or leave it area for the landfill again. He was in previously and asked about it and he also spoke to a supervisor at the landfill that said he was working on the process with DEQ. He wanted to encourage the Commissioners to proceed with setting it up because he felt members of the community could benefit from it. Commissioner Pinkerton replied that we are taking steps to get there. Commissioner Bertling said they do have to purge the area periodically once it is set up and will inquire regarding the status.

Mr. Tanner said they are currently purposely smashing things so that people can’t take it when they should be setting it aside instead. He thought they could even sell it. Commissioner Bertling replied that the amount received would be so small it wouldn’t be worth the effort. He again confirmed that we will keep taking steps to make it happen.

Pat Murphy entered the meeting at 9:08 a.m. and said he lives by the landfill and would also like to see the take it or leave it added. He also wanted to discuss watering when they are digging on windy days to help reduce the dust. Commissioners said they would discuss it with the staff.

The meeting with Mr. Tanner ended at 9:15 a.m. and he left the meeting. Mr. Murphy also left the meeting.

Abra Chouinard entered the meeting at 9:27 a.m.

Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:29 a.m. and said that he worked on the pending litigation items for the airport last week and the runway extension project was moving forward. There will be an increase in the engineering fees due to the bid protest.

Commissioner Bertling asked about some trees that need to be removed for the runway project and potential conflict for him to take care of that. Mr. Wilson asked him to send an email describing the project so he could look into it.

Commissioners then discussed the public hearing process for North Bench. Mr. Wilson said it would be the same format as land use hearings. This time the primary focus was whether or not it should be placed on the ballot. He added that there was also the issue that the State Tax Commission could find a fatal defect in their petition and reject it, even if voters wanted it. North Bench has asked the county for assistance, but we are not in the position to provide legal review for things that they offer. They need to have their own attorney advising them. Mr. Wilson will attend the hearing and provide additional information beforehand. He suggested inviting the Assessor to attend as well.

Ms. Chouinard left the meeting at 9:43 a.m.

Mr. Wilson added that just like our land use hearings, we allow representatives to speak for the applicant and this would be no different. You can also ask to hear from specific people if you feel they can provide additional information.

The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 9:55 a.m. and he left the meeting.

Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:

Current Expense                                             $    304,481.64

Road & Bridge                                                        315,072.24

Airport                                                                         11,263.01

District Court                                                               5,961.45

Justice Fund                                                               81,848.81

911 Funds                                                                     7,030.59

Health District                                                          50,292.00

Parks and Recreation                                               7,155.96

Revaluation                                                                     565.24

Solid Waste                                                                34,987.19

Tort                                                                               72,996.25

Veterans Memorial                                                 23,890.45

Weeds                                                                            4,772.91

Restorium                                                                  18,949.85

Waterways                                                                       172.85

Road & Bridge Tribal Fuel Fund                                  68.10

Grant, Airport                                                           50,654.22

Grant, Selkirk Coop Weed Mgmt                          1192.50

Grant, Fire Mitigation                                            21,606.45

LATCT Fund                                                                  5,998.80

             TOTAL                                                   $1,018,960.51

 Trusts

Auditors Trust – Misc                                                   851.18

Boundary Co. Drug Court Trusts                          2,587.39

Sales Tax Collected                                                       913.19

Driver’s License Trust                                            10,934.05

Interlock Device Fund                                              8,864.99

Indigent Reimbursements                                          615.00

Motor Vehicle Trust Acct                                   187,702.22

Sheriff’s Trust Fund                                                   5,192.89

Odyssey Court Trust Account                             33,962.79

Odyssey Bond Trust Account                                 1,647.10

Odyssey Restitution Trust Account                     1,261.40

                                TOTAL                                     $254,532.20

                                 GRAND TOTAL                $1,273,492.71

Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2025-2026).

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the MOU between Boundary County School District and Boundary County Sheriff’s Office regarding SRO. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Grizzly Conservation letter for Selkirk-Cabinet-Yaak Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign replat of Schrock Acres Subdivision. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

At 10:15 a.m. Commissioners held proceedings for an Alcohol Beverage license for Mountain Medicine. Those present were: Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims. The proceeding was recorded.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the 2026 Beverage License for Mountain Medicine. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

The proceeding ended at 10:16 a.m.

Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith entered the meeting at 10:30 a.m. and provided the Restorium report. She said that the numbers look ugly, but will get better soon because two residents are nearing the end of the application process for Medicaid so payments will come in soon. She then reviewed the the other past due accounts and the status of each. She said overtime hours are down, because of the number of residents so that was helping. Food costs have also decreased significantly. She added that the leftovers and waste have also decreased.

Ms. Smith said there was a tree outside of the office that has died and it needed to be removed. There was another that looks like it might also be unhealthy and thought she thought it should be looked at. Commissioner Bertling said he would be by soon.

She then asked if they could have a lemonade stand or yard sale to help raise money for activities for the residents. Commissioners didn’t see a problem and told her to proceed. She also mentioned that they have items that have been donated that are not needed and she would like to include them in the next auction.

The meeting with Ms. Smith ended at 10:55 a.m. and she left the meeting.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:00 a.m.

The meeting reconvened for the afternoon session at 1:30 p.m. with Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims

Road & Bridge/Solid Waste Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:24 p.m.

Mr. Barton said they did a small amount of pit maintenance last week and then primarily focused on chipseal, roll/sweep, ditch work, and hauling spoils for Kootenai Trail and Longview Rd. This week they are crushing with a little bit of dura patching and ditch work planned so that they can move onto chipseal on Moyie River Rd. They will also broom Kootenai Trail and wait to broom Longview because of the lower traffic volume.

Mr. Ryals said the State Insurance Fund will be doing a walk through at the landfill. He added that it was helpful when they did it at Road & Bridge. Commissioner Bertling mentioned that a neighbor had complained about dust at the landfill and Mr. Barton said they will put more dust abatement down. Mr. Barton said a neighbor also complained about cats at the landfill. The neighbor asked if he could set a live trap to catch them for spayed/neuter. Commissioners agreed.

Commissioner Bertling then asked about the take it or leave it area and Mr. Ryals said it was included in the Operation Plan. Once that was signed, we can then set up a location for it.

Commissioners discussed the TC&E’s for Riverside and decided that if it was the same as before, Mr. Ryals could complete. If there was a change from the previous, it should be brought to Commissioners. They also decided to proceed with the TC&E for Kootenai River Lumber Company for parcel #RP62N01E285513A/B00000285523.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved renew TC&E’s for Riverside 1A as discussed. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Ryals said the MOA for the Myrtle Creek Bridge FLAP project was not ready so he will add that to a future agenda.

No bids were received for the County Fuel Supply for FY26-27.

The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 1:45 p.m. and they left the meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:03 p.m.

 Tuesday, August 11, 2026

No meetings were scheduled; therefore, the Commissioners did not meet.

s/________________________________

TIM BERTLING, Acting Chairman

ATTEST:

s/_______________________________

GLENDA POSTON, Clerk

By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk