Commissioners’ – Week of July 6, 2026

Meeting Minutes

***Monday, July 6, 2026 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.

Maintenance Supervisor Squire Fields entered the meeting at 8:57 a.m. and provided an update on the plumbing repair in front of the courthouse and damage that was done to the sprinkler system during the repair process.

Fay Almond entered the meeting at 9:02 a.m.

The water main replacement has been completed. However, the pipe in the sheriff’s building still needs to be boxed. Somewhere a neutral underground went out and a new copper rod had to be placed to ground the electrical for the courthouse. The sprinkler system should be fixed this week.

The cabinets are being removed from Memorial Hall today and the new cabinets will be installed next Monday. Flooring and refrigerator will follow soon after.

Greg Lamberty entered at 9:10 a.m.

The front steps of the courthouse have been painted and everything will be cleaned up for the event on Wednesday. IDL will also be here next week to inspect the trees for the grant.

The meeting with Mr. Fields ended at 9:14 a.m. and he left the meeting.

At 9:24 a.m. Commissioners held a proceeding for a beverage license for Dodge Peak Restaurant LLC dba Tavern at the Lodge. Those present were: Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims, Fay Almond, and Greg Lamberty. The proceeding was recorded.

Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the Alcohol Beverage License for Dodge Peak Restaurant LLC dba Tavern at the Lodge pending receipt of applicable fees. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

The proceeding ended at 9:26 a.m.

Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:32 a.m. and stated that he has received the recommendation from Ardurra for the runway project and he supports the recommendation. He stated it was almost impossible to have a complete bid and the change in wording gives the county the option to award the bid even with an informality. Their only defect was the authority to sign on behalf of the corporation.

The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 9:45 a.m. and he left the meeting.

Ms. Almond and Mr. Lamberty left the meeting at 9:50 a.m.

Planning and Zoning Tech Jenn Maynard entered the meeting at 9:59 a.m.

Ms. Maynard stated that June was a good month with 22 applications and a current total of 127 compared to 128 at the same time last year. The average processing time was 57 days which was down considerably from FY25 of 80 days. Ms. Maynard added that 87% of the permits are for residential. She was pleased to say that we are meeting our timeline 63% of the time which includes people who are not doing their work to move their application along. She added that addressing has also decreased from 25 days to 11. Ms. Maynard then described some circular issues with water districts requiring items that are hindering the processes. She will continue to help individuals navigate those changes.

Commissioners complimented her on her report and stated that water districts will need to change their processes. Ms. Maynard stated that the transferability of permits will help. Water was going to be a big issue for many.

The meeting with Ms. Maynard ended at 10:27 a.m. and she left the meeting.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Brian Fischer and Becky Allred. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Release of Lien for Financial Assistance on indigent #2012-36. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign letters of reappointment for Anthony Compton, Corey Kramer and Michael John Youngwirth for the Translator Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

They noted that there was an open position that will need to be advertised.

Commissioners discussed switching some of their appointments on various boards that they serve on.

Commissioner Bertling moved to appoint Commissioner Pinkerton to PAC in place of Chairman Robertson. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to appoint Chairman Robertson to the Boundary Community Hospital BOT as a voting member in place of Commissioner Pinkerton. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

EDC Director David Sims entered the meeting at 10:54 a.m. and stated that the City of Bonners Ferry was open to asphalt as a way to reduce costs when they redo Bonner St. Jenny Hemley with IDOC will be visiting tomorrow. The Visitor Center was cleaned up and the Bonners Ferry Chamber has decided they are not ready to take it over this year. Mr. Sims currently has 9 volunteers to help staff it.

The energy efficiency grants are moving forward and IDL will be up to evaluate the trees next week. The grant applications that fund EDC will be submitted this week with the cash match increased. Boundary County was fine but it was making it difficult for other areas throughout the state. Innovia Launch was working on funding for Boundary County and developing a committee. The city of Moyie has been frustrated on the speed limit and Mr. Sims helped facilitate a meeting with ITD. They will be coming back with ideas to help the city. Canadian traffic continues to be low.

Airport Manager, Dave Parker and Ardurra Engineer Trey Dail entered at 11:23 a.m.

The owner of Northern Air Matt Nichols entered at 11:24 a.m.

The meeting with Mr. Sims ended at 11:25 a.m. and he left the meeting.

Mr. Dail noted that the bid for the airport runway project has been protested. Because of the wording change, Mr. Wilson has approved the contract to move forward.

Commissioner Bertling moved to award the bid to Wink Inc. for the airport runway project. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Notice of Award. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign FAA Request for Concurrence. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the Construction Agreement. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to approve applicants for the rental house on Sunrise Road at $1,600 per month. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting with the airport ended at 11:41 a.m. and everyone left the meeting.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:47 a.m.

The meeting 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 and Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:20 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m. Mr. Barton stated that last week they did pit maintenance, installed county road signs, picked up traffic counters and grading/rolling for dust abatement. They also were mowing and removing trees from ROW in several areas. The parking lot at the fairgrounds was graded, but someone spun brodies and tore it up again. Commissioners decided to not apply dust abatement to the fairgrounds parking.

Next week they plan to continue with pit maintenance, sign work, delineators, grading, haul rock and dura patching.

Mr. Ryals said they started working on the west side of the landfill where the fence will go. Commissioner Bertling will work with IDL so they can continue using the burner. Mr. Ryals said they are still working on getting the paperwork from CAT for the grader. Jim has retired and it was taking some time to find a replacement for him.

Mr. Ryals provided the agreement with LHTAC for the Naples Bridge for Commissioners to review.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Local Agreement with LHTAC for Naples Bridge BIP grant. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Poston asked what happened with the last person that hit the bridge. Mr. Ryals was not sure and said he would have to look into it.

Commissioners then discussed Second Chance and the request to waive fees. People are donating unusable items to Second Chance to avoid the fee at the landfill. Second Chance then has to pay the fee which takes away from the animals they take in as part of their county agreement. Commissioners asked Second Chance to put up a large sign listing items they do not wanted donated and the landfill to keep track of what was being dropped off.

Mr. Ryals discussed the fees for tires dropped off from businesses and what other counties do about fees separating residential from commercial waste. Mr. Ryals then shared the OPS plan with Commissioners and described one item that was changed regarding lithium batteries. Commissioner Pinkerton asked where we were at on cardboard. Mr. Barton said he has been working on it, but was having a hard time getting a price. He contacted them again this morning and hopes to have information soon.

The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 1:51 p.m. and they left the meeting.

Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 2:15 p.m.

Ms. Barton shared documents regarding personnel changes, job postings and discussed wages with Commissioners.

The meeting with Ms. Barton ended at 2:31 p.m. and she left the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 3:06 p.m.

Tuesday, July 7, 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