Commissioners’ – Week of September 14, 2026

Meeting Minutes

***Monday, September 14, 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.

Victim Services Executive Director Laci Lowther entered the meeting at 9:00 a.m. and stated that it was time to talk about renewing their agreement for office space somewhere in the county for the next fiscal year. She then shared various ways that they assist and are beneficial to the county. Ms. Lowther said that they assist with the Prosecutor’s office in areas that are required by statute. They also help with paperwork for family law which helps the Clerk’s office and Courts. The Sheriff directs people to Victim Services when no crime has occurred so that they can help with other opportunities for safety. Her office has also taken on the roll to notify victims when individuals are released from jail and they teach classes helping people recognize abuse. Lastly, she said they provide a lot of support to the community to help people through really bad times, so they don’t feel alone and were grateful for the support the county provides their office.

Chairman Robertson informed her that they have increased the in-kind amount to a total of $8,400/per year for office space, phone line and furnishings.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the ln-Kind Agreement with Boundary County Victim Services. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting with Ms. Lowther ended at 9:10 a.m. and she left the meeting.

Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:18 a.m.

Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:31 a.m. and said that he had a meeting with the Assessor’s team later in the morning to go over the Property Rights Protection Act which was a new chapter that was created by legislature. It was initially created in response to state agencies like Fish and Game and was now being applied to other government agents which covers a lot of people that it was not initially intended for. The fine was $1,000 for willful violations, so we want to make sure they don’t violate it. He stated that other counties are falling on ariel imagery whenever possible and recommended they also try to follow that process.

Chairman Robertson asked if the county can front money to the hospital, that they typically would receive in January to help with a shortfall. Mr. Wilson stated that he would have to look at that very carefully. He suggested a tax anticipation note instead which would have a processing or loan origination fee and was something they would have to work through on their own. If you would prefer to use cash on hand, he would reserve judgement and investigate it further. He reminded them that they would lose money on interest bearing accounts, so that was something they should also consider.

Chairman Robertson said it was not something we have decided to do, we want to know if it was a legal path to consider or not. Mr. Wilson said he would look into it.

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

Mr. Lamberty left the meeting at 9:51 a.m.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Commissioner meeting minutes from the week of September 7^th. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Passthrough Funds Recipient Agreement for JCA & Cigarette Tobacco Tax Funding. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign License Agreement ID2026-0903 with BlueStep. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Innovate Work Order WO0018 for Enterprise GIS Support FY 2027. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Innovate Work Order WO0017 for Addressing Support FY 2027. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.

Clerk Poston stated that they can move forward with approving the extension, but she felt they should be able to get it completed by next week.

Commissioner Bertling moved to approve extension for the Clerk’s office regarding certification process for levies to the fourth Monday of September. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

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

Current Expense                                             $    634,790.46

Road & Bridge                                                        397,162.24

Airport                                                                           9,429.04

District Court                                                               7,208.35

Justice Fund                                                            120,506.59

911 Funds                                                                     9,398.34

Parks and Recreation                                             16,386.67

Revaluation                                                                  6,718.52

Solid Waste                                                             104,614.92

Veterans Memorial                                                         22.43

Weeds                                                                               480.78

Restorium                                                                  19,564.96

Waterways                                                                       176.66

Road & Bridge Tribal Fuel Fund                                  71.37

Juvenile Probation – Lottery                                        94.98

LATCT Fund                                                                  8,171.36

             TOTAL                                                   $1,334,797.67

 Trust

Auditors Trust – Misc                                          266,571.59

Boundary Co. Drug Court Trusts                              131.64

Interlock Device Fund                                                    50.52

Indigent Reimbursements                                          585.00

Sheriff’s Trust Fund                                                   1,113.10

Odyssey Court Trust Account                             35,874.11

Odyssey Bond Trust Account                                 1,123.50

Odyssey Restitution Trust Account                     1,321.80

                                TOTAL                                     $306,771.26

                                GRAND TOTAL                $1,641,568.93

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

Dick Staples with JRS entered the meeting at 10:00 a.m. and stated that the individual who was reviewing survey’s for JRS had resigned and has since passed away. As a result, the county was needing to find someone to fill the conflict surveyor roll. He stated that the rate was currently at $100/hour and has been at that for several years. They currently charge $180/hr and he would like to see the amount increased.

Chairman Robertson stated that there are some that feel the conflict surveyor should be from outside the county and asked what his feelings were on that. Mr. Staples thought that might be a possibility. Commissioner Bertling had concerns that would come at a higher cost.

Mr. Staples said he would also like to retire in the very near future. Chairman Robertson said there aren’t many surveyors in the area, so that was going to be a problem. Mr. Staples said there are plenty of them in Bonner County.

Commissioners then discussed the letter from Grant Dorman regarding the conflict surveyor roll and stated that they needed to talk to the P&Z Commission concerning the advisory roll.

The meeting with Mr. Staples ended at 10:12 a.m. and he left the meeting.

The executive session that was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. was cancelled.

The meeting recessed and Commissioner Bertling and Commissioner Pinkerton left the meeting to tour the new Justice Center. The meeting reconvened at 11:13 a.m. when they returned.

Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith entered the meeting at 11:31 a.m. and stated that they currently had 31 residents with several inquiries that she believes will move ahead in the coming months. She also said that she received an email this morning that the applications that have been processing since the employee change were accepted so the past due amounts should look better soon. Ms. Smith then reviewed the past due accounts and the status of each.

Chairman Robertson asked about staffing and Ms. Smith updated him on several employees that have requested changes. She also added that the drug testing was currently taking a long time and was slowing down the hiring process. Ms. Smith then reviewed some of the current contracts for the Restorium.

The meeting with Ms. Smith ended at noon and she left the meeting.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:01 p.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/Solid Waste Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:29 p.m. Mr. Barton said that last week they did some crushing and completed the installation of delineators on Deep Creek to close out the grant. They also did some grading, spot grading and rolling as well as durapatching/brooming. Rock was stockpiled at Camp 9 and chipseal continued on Moon Shadow.

This week they will continue with chipseal, but noted that because of the temperature it will probably be their last week. The T2 schedule came out and they have everyone scheduled for classes for the next year.

Commissioner Bertling asked if they had any crushed rock on hand for a parking lot. Mr. Barton confirmed that they did and could haul it when the project was ready to move forward.

Mr. Ryals shared the documents regarding the closeout for the chipseal project on Kootenai Trail.

Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Local Rural Highway Investment Program (LRHIP) Closeout Document for Kootenai Trail Chipseal Project. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

For the landfill, Mr. Barton shared information regarding a class he and Mr. Ryals will attend. They also said that they may need to transfer someone over from Road & Bridge to help out at Solid Waste because an employee was leaving to go to school. That employee can help out on the weekends, but they are shorthanded at this time.

Mr. Barton then shared a document they would like to use for anyone that has out of state plates but owns property in the area. They felt it would help identify those individuals and eliminate conflict. As for cardboard they have not baled any yet, because they are short staffed.

Commissioner Bertling ask them to get some brush ready so that he could run the ACI soon. Chairman Robertson asked how Bonner County handles their brush/wood. Mr. Ryals replied that they bid it out for chipping and hauling.

The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 11:57 p.m. and they left the meeting.

Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 2:13 p.m. and she shared some personnel documents for signatures.  She then shared the wage range for the grant writer/personnel position of $21.98 – 24.02. Commissioners agreed with the range.

Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith re-entered the meeting at 2:19 p.m.

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”.

Ms. Smith left the meeting at 2:40 p.m.

The executive session ended at 3:04 p.m. No action was taken.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:17 p.m.

 Tuesday, September 15, 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