Commissioners – Week of August 31, 2026

Meeting Minutes

***Monday, August 31, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims. Commissioner Bertling was absent for the morning session.

 Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.

Assessor Olivia Drake entered the meeting at 8:54 a.m.

At 9:00 a.m. Ms. Drake said she asked for the appointment to go over her budget figures. Ms. Poston said that the budget hearing was scheduled for next week and she would provide a copy of what was approved afterwards. Ms. Drake then reviewed the proposed numbers for her department. Chairman Robertson stated that there were only minor changes to her department budget.

Commissioners asked about the fees for DMV. Chairman Robertson said we should be able to pay for the department with the fees. Ms. Drake replied in theory yes, but it doesn’t. She was going to address those fees, but due to the consolidation that will now need to be analyzed by the Sheriff.

Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:19 a.m.

Ms. Drake said she was having trouble with the internet and her department was down frequently. Commissioner Pinkerton said that she needed to get IT to take a look at it. Ms. Drake said that IT also needs to install a new computer in her department. He was so busy that getting help was slow. Chairman Robertson said we may have to think about adding someone to that department for FY27-28.

Ms. Drake said the public maps have received a few positive comments, but she believes most people don’t know they were available. Addressing was also coordinating with P&Z to get the updates done as they happen to eliminate confusion.

She said the new windows, doors, and AC/Heat were working great. She asked about money to repair the roof and exterior walls to prevent leaks. Commissioners said money was budgeted every year for roofing, but was not sure what the rotation was for this year. They will check with Maintenance.

Ms. Drake then asked if there was a plan for the old DMV office. Commissioners replied they are not moving anyone until the Justice Center was complete.

She said the new website was working well, but her staff needed more training.

The meeting with Ms. Drake ended at 9:34 a.m. and she left the meeting. Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting.

Mr. Wilson said that he felt they had a positive outcome on the meeting last week. It was well reasoned and no one was aggrieved by it. He noted the many compliments to the volunteer firefighters and that everyone in attendance was respectful.

Chairman Robertson asked about a request for the fees to be waived regarding a public records request and if it met the standards by Statute. Mr. Wilson replied that he has never once seen a request that meets the standards. It takes away the one tool to mitigate the costs incurred by the county. Which means that the tax payers end up subsidizing the requests of personal/private interest.

Chairman Robertson asked for an update on Riverside. Mr. Wilson said he would inquire.

Mr. Wilson added that he received the information from the airport staff and that has been forwarded on to the purchasers. We are now waiting for a response.

The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 9:50 a.m. and he left the meeting.

Mr. Lamberty left the meeting at 9:55 a.m.

Maintenance Supervisor Squire Fields entered the meeting at 10:00 a.m. and updated Commissioners on the pipe repair for the boiler. He said that they cut a hole in the floor, but found the leak was in another chamber so an additional hole will need to be cut. Commissioners asked him to do it after 5:00 p.m. or before the courthouse opens to avoid disruption. Commissioner Pinkerton added that he will need to add locks to the access.

Commissioners then discussed the Assessor’s building and the roof replacement schedule and water issues. Mr. Fields said that Maintenance will handle the awnings which should take care of the leak above the window(s). The next roof replacement was scheduled for the courthouse. Commissioners discussed and directed Mr. Fields to use the budgeted amount toward the Assessor’s roof and external wall cracks. The courthouse moisture issues were not coming from the roof, so they felt it could wait.

The meeting with Mr. Fields ended at 10:23 a.m. and he left the meeting.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Certificate of Residency for Wyatt Marino. Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign New Private Road Name Request Form for Skid Trail Lane. Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair and moved to sign ED Pro Grant Agreement. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Findings & Decision Letter for File 26-0133. Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

The contract for the airport runway project was not ready, so no action was taken.

The meeting recessed for lunch at 11:02 a.m.

Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session at 1:30 p.m. with Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.

Road & Bridge/Landfill Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:32 p.m.

Mr. Barton said last week they are continued with crushing ¾” chip as well as and sign work on Yukon and Deep Creek. They also did some spot grading on Smith Lake, Flemming Creek, and Turner Hill roads. They will do more grading once they get some moisture. They also did some watering/brooming on Porthill Loop and Moyie River road. They will return to do more on Moyie River road at a later date. Durapatching was completed on Mountain Meadows, Twenty Mile, and Moon Shadow. This week they plan to move onto chipseal on Mountain Meadows and Moonshadow. However, he noted that temperatures are getting cooler, so they will see how much they can get done.

Commissioner Bertling noted the delineators on Ball Creek. Commissioner Pinkerton said he drove Farm to Market recently and it was good.

Chairman Robertson said he reviewed the Frost Law and didn’t see any issues. He asked why the change from 300 pounds down to 250. Mr. Ryals said that Bonner County uses that number so they thought it was best to change both for consistency and it didn’t make sense to have a higher number on our roads that are not built as well.

Commissioners discussed various roads and damage due to increased traffic because of the fires. They suggested reaching out to USFS about putting money toward that.

Mr. Ryals said as for the landfill, the revenue check for the scrap pile has arrived and the bond can be released. He continues to work on the gas mitigation plan and also submitted a bill to ALTA for the work that the County did for the fence and gas line. He also continues to work on the drainage plan.

Commissioners asked how much was received for the metal pile. Mr. Ryals said a little over $79,000.

Mr. Barton said they had a meeting last week regarding cardboard and they have pulled the baler out so they can start baling. A local business brought in a truck load of cardboard so they have plenty to work with. They might consider a larger baler, but will start with what they have to learn the process. The current rate is $72 per ton and they hope to break even at least and put less into the hole.

Commissioner Bertling asked about the separation of clean and dirty wood and if they were able to get that dialed in. Mr. Ryals described where it was moved to so they have two clearly defined locations. It will take some time to train the public.

Chairman Robertson asked about hazardous materials like paint. Mr. Ryals explained the options that they give residents. In the future he would like to have someone on site occasionally to take those products. He also discussed ways to have onsite payment options for that.

The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 2:03 p.m. and they left the meeting.

Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 2:16 p.m. and shared an employee status sheet for their signatures.

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. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. The executive session ended at 3:31 p.m. No action was taken.

The meeting with Ms. Barton ended at 3:32 p.m. and she and Ms. Poston left the meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:03 p.m.

 Tuesday, September 1, 2026

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

s/________________________________

BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman

ATTEST:

s/_______________________________

GLENDA POSTON, Clerk

By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk