***Monday, April 27, 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.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Matisyn Stiern, Amy Kennedy, and Grithcel Miller. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign meeting minutes from the week of April 20th. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Fay Almond entered the meeting at 9:15 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign USFS Agreement 25-RO-11010400-003. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign USFS Agreement 26-RO-11010400-024 with modifications. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Scope of Work with USFS for Katkee Fuel Break 1. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Scope of Work with USFS FSR 402 Snow Creek Washout. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign RFR #1-Final for ITD Airport Aid Grant AIP027 F26865S. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:34 a.m. to update Commissioners on various matters. He said he has been dealing with standard public records requests, contract reviews and other normal business. He provided the standard pending litigation letter to the auditor and answered one follow-up question.
Commissioner Pinkerton stated that the monthly hospital board meeting was scheduled for this week. Mr. Wilson asked if there was any renewed interest in a levy. Commissioner Pinkerton replied not that he was aware of.
Commissioners then discussed fire districts and the fact that the board members of one volunteer district was expressing interest in becoming a taxing district. Commissioners asked Mr. Wilson to prepare a list of their involvement in that process for reference. Ms. Poston stated that they will need to designate their boundary with a legal description accompanied with a map. Mr. Wilson agreed and said the state tax commission would require it.
Commissioner Bertling said they are currently working on a petition. Ms. Poston again repeated that they will still need to have their proposed area defined.
The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 9:55 a.m. and he left the meeting. Ms. Almond also left the meeting.
Treasurer Jenny Economu entered the meeting at 10:00 a.m. to provide her quarterly report. Ms. Economu stated things are holding steady with interest rates. The LATCF fund was a little over 2.3 million as of today. She said several of the multi-securities had matured and she was able to get them up in the 3.5% range.
The meeting with Ms. Economu ended at 10:05 a.m. and she left the meeting.
Parks & Recreation Board Chair Rob Tompkins entered the meeting at 10:25 a.m.
EDC Director David Sims entered the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
Steve Tanner entered the meeting at 10:31 a.m. and said he wanted to talk about a reuse/salvage program for the county. He talked about this a year ago and his understanding was that nothing was done and he believed it has become even more difficult. People on limited incomes could salvage items for repair and it could also lengthen the use of the landfill.
Commissioner Bertling said that we have already received permission from DEQ to do this. He also acknowledged that the prior supervisor gave out false information. Chairman Robertson added that we agree with you and steps are being taken to make this happen. Commissioner Pinkerton said that we are also investigating recycling cardboard and hope to bring that back soon.
The meeting with Mr. Tanner ended at 10:40 a.m. and he left the meeting.
At 10:45 a.m. Chairman Robertson said that we have received the building permits for the restroom/concession stand at the Fairgrounds and the fees have been paid so we are ready to proceed. Mr. Sims asked if they would be using the previous quotes or if they would request new. Mr. Tompkins confirmed they would get new. Mr. Sims said that they will have to comply with Statute and suggested a motion to proceed in the best interest of the County.
Commissioner Bertling moved to accept the Bonners Ferry Building Permit #BP2025023 and DOPL State Permit #1778127 for the restrooms/concession stand at the Fairgrounds. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton made a motion for the Parks & Recreation Board to proceed with the construction. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to accept the quotes received in the best interest of the county. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting regarding the restrooms/concession stand ended and Mr. Tompkins left the meeting at 10:53 a.m.
Maintenance Supervisor Squire Fields entered the meeting at 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Sims stated that he had the contractors do a walk through for the energy efficiency grants and wanted to bring a couple items to the Commissioners attention. The first being that the windows in the Assessor’s building have a tint on them. If you get tinted windows the cost goes up considerably. If you have a tint added after installation, it voids the warranty of the windows. Commissioners asked for bids showing both options for them to consider. He also added that one contractor claims additional framing was needed for the extension office and the other contractor claims it was not necessary. Commissioners decided to have the bid specs call for installation according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The HVAC in the Assessor’s office was suspended from the ceiling. The contractors posed the question that it be dropped straight down to the floor. This will provide easier access for service and repairs and lower the cost of installation. However, it will increase the cost some due to dealing with the pumping of condensation. Commissioners agreed to lower it and Maintenance can build a cabinet around it.
Mr. Sims then moved onto the forestry grant and said it was a requirement of the grant to have a tree management plan and the work needed to be completed by an ISA certified arborist. He added that Mike Richardson and his daughter both have that certification and were already handling tree maintenance for Parks & Rec and the Fairgrounds. We could have them complete the tree plan and include all locations. Richardsons can also remove the trees, stumps and replant with new. IDL will come up to look at the trees that have been identified for removal if the grant was awarded. Commissioners agreed and discussed options for replacement trees.
The meeting with Mr. Sims and Mr. Fields ended at 11:36 a.m. and they left the meeting.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:41 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 & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Barton stated that the previous week they continued with pit maintenance and crushed ¾” hauling it to areas it will be needed for chip sealing. They also set traffic counters on Lions Den, Westside, Labrosse Hill and Refuge Tour to get counts on the traffic around the construction. They continued with sign work and installing delineators on about a dozen roads. Grading continues and they used up the last of the dust abatement from the previous year on Blume Hill, Bus, Industrial Way and Eileen Rds. Mailboxes were also repaired on Farm to Market Rd. This week they plan to continue with pit maintenance, sign work, brushing, hauling rock and grading.
Commissioner Bertling asked if they could pave an apron on Deer Creek off of Hwy 2. Mr. Barton replied that we have that on a plan for intersection improvement and are looking for funding so they can adjust the approach to a right angle. It was decided to add rock until then.
Mr. Barton then reported on the landfill stating that they ran both the grinder and ACI last week and things are improving. Chairman Robertson asked if they had thought anymore on the Take It or Leave It area. Mr. Barton replied that they had not, they mostly focused on the cardboard recycling and gas monitoring. Commissioners expressed interest in pursuing it and asked them to order signs and set up an area at the main landfill only so they didn’t have to transport items.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked if they could share the traffic counter data with them in the future. Mr. Barton replied that they will include it on the report.
Mr. Ryals shared quotes for asphalt from Interstate and Woods. Commissioners reviewed the quotes noting that Woods was lower.
Commissioner Bertling moved to accept the asphalt quote from Woods Crushing & Hauling Inc. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to accept the piggyback offer for mag chloride for dust abatement. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement for Envirotech. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go to bid for the metal waste disposal. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 1:14 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the Property Tax Cancellation for parcel #RP60N01W264060A for IOOF/McArthur Lake Cemetery. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 2:17 p.m. and shared an update.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go into executive session 74-206(a) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need. This paragraph does not apply to filling a vacancy in an elective office or deliberations about staffing needs in general. Commissioner Bertling second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. The executive session ended at 2:52 p.m. No action was taken.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:22 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 10:00 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.
At 10:00 a.m. Commissioners held a bid opening for the airport runway project. Those present were: Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims, Trey Dail with Ardurra, Airport Manager Dave Parker, Dave Swansen with Goodfellow Bros., and Loraine Johnson with S&L Underground. The proceeding was recorded.
Ms. Sims shared the information on the screen and accepted the bids. Commissioners read aloud the amounts for the engineer estimate and bids received. The totals were as follows:
Engineer Estimates 8,229,182.50
J7 Contracting 5,810,670.70
Goodfellow Bros LLC 6,281,105.65
Selland Construction Inc 6,294,936.50
Knife River Corp – Mtn West 7,286,350.00
S&L Underground Inc. 8,249,862.50
After the bids were read aloud, Chairman Robertson stated that the bids would be reviewed and a time would be scheduled next week to award the contract.
The proceeding ended at 10:09 a.m. and Mr. Dail, Mr. Parker, Mr. Swansen, and Ms. Johnson left the meeting.
Lisa Chesebro entered the meeting at 10:15 a.m.
Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid entered the meeting at 10:28 a.m.
Sheriff Travis Stolley and Chief Deputy Caleb Watts entered the meeting at 10:31 a.m.
Ms. Chesebro stated that the document provided was stock and referenced the most relevant pages. She said it would need to be redone when the new building was complete. Commissioners asked Sheriff Stolley if he saw any issues and Deputy Watts replied that he did not. Ms. Poston and Commissioners shared various items they would like to see changed for clarity.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Emergency Plan pending changes. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Chesebro stated that you will also need a directive on how to distribute it. Chairman Robertson replied that we can cross that when the document was finished.
The meeting ended at 10:40 a.m. and everyone left the meeting.
The meeting recessed at 10:48 a.m.
At 2:00 p.m. Commissioners held a public hearing for FILE #25-0127, SHORT PLAT SUBDIVISION, ZENON CHAVES. Those in attendance were: Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims, P&Z Staff Tess Vogel, P&Z Tech Jenn Maynard, and Coral Koberstein with JRS Surveying. The hearing was recorded.
Chairman Robertson read the project description stating that the applicant was requesting preliminary plat approval for a rural subdivision via short plat, to divide a 20.15-acre parcel into a 10-acre lot and a 10.15-acre lot in the Agriculture/Forestry zone. The Agriculture/Forestry zone has a lot size minimum of 10 acres. The parcel was located off Bristle Cone Road and was identified as Assessor’s Parcel RP65N01W159000A in Section 15, Township 65 North, Range 1 West. Commissioners cited no disclosures or conflicts of interest.
Ms. Vogel reviewed the hearing procedures and provided the staff report. Ms. Vogel stated that the project was created under the 20-acre exemption so a hearing was required to divide it further. Both lots will have direct frontage onto Bristle Cone Rd. The project was routed to agencies for comment and addressing replied with no concerns and ITD responded with no comment. The neighboring properties were also notified and no written comment was received. Commissioners had no questions for staff.
Chairman Robertson asked the applicant if they had any comment to add. Ms. Koberstein was in attendance for the applicant and stated that she had no comments. Commissioners again stated that they had no questions.
Chairman Robertson waived the public comment portion of the hearing because no public was in attendance. He then called for deliberation. Commissioner Bertling said that he saw no problems and Commissioner Pinkerton added that there were no issues, it meets the minimum standards. Commissioners then worked through their decision-making worksheet and reason statement.
Chairman Robertson called for a motion.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the preliminary plat for Bristlecone Acres, a proposed rural subdivision, File #25-0127, and direct staff to prepare written findings, a reasoned decision, and terms and conditions of approval, finding that the preliminary plat is in accord with the applicable zoning and subdivision standards of the Boundary County Land Use Ordinance, based upon the findings and conditions as written and based upon the reasoned statements as read into the record during deliberation. This action does not result in a taking of private property. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The public hearing ended at 2:10 p.m.
At 2:30 p.m. Commissioners held a public hearing for FILE #26-0073, LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT, PAUL & KAITLYN MAST AND DELWYN & TWYLA FREED. Those in attendance were: Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims, P&Z Staff Tess Vogel, P&Z Tech Jenn Maynard, and Coral Koberstein with JRS Surveying. The hearing was recorded.
Chairman Robertson read the project description stating that the applicant was requesting preliminary plat approval for a lot line adjustment via short plat between Lots 1A and 2A of the Replat of Lots 1 and 2 of Schrock Acres Subdivision. The proposal was to adjust 0.10 acres to reduce Lot 1A from 12 acres to 11.90 acres and to increase Lot 2A from 10 acres to 10.10 acres to accommodate an existing structure. The property was zoned Agriculture/Forestry, which has a lot size minimum of 10 acres. The lots are located at 622 and 760 Legacy Ridge Lane and identified as Assessor’s Parcels RP00930000001AA and RP00930000002AA in Section 1, Township 62 North, Range 1 East. Commissioners cited no disclosures or conflicts of interest.
Ms. Vogel skipped the hearing procedures because the same people were in attendance as the previous hearing. She then provided the staff report stating that the lots were originally created in 2022 through file #22-0050. They were then replated 2024 through file #24-0030. A home has since been built too close to the property line which required the adjustment. The file was routed to agencies and addressing had no concern, and the Assessor replied that new parcel numbers would be assigned. Nearby landowners were also noticed, but no comments were received. Commissioners had no questions for staff.
Chairman Robertson asked the applicant if they had any comments to add. Ms. Koberstein was in attendance for the applicant and stated that they would like to change the name of the lots to 1B and 2B. Ms. Vogel replied that she will check, but was pretty sure that would mean the entire process would start over. Commissioners again had no comments.
Chairman Robertson waived the public comment portion of the hearing because no public was in attendance. He then called for deliberation and Commissioners worked through their decision-making worksheet.
Chairman Robertson called for a motion.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the preliminary plat for the Replat of Lots 1A & 2A of the Replat of Lots 1 & 2 of Schrock Acres Subdivision, a proposed lot line adjustment, File #26-0073, and direct staff to prepare written findings, a reasoned decision, and terms and conditions of approval, finding that the preliminary plat is in accord with the applicable zoning and subdivision standards of the Boundary County Land Use Ordinance, based upon the findings and conditions as written and based upon the reasoned statements as read into the record during deliberation. This action does not result in a taking of private property. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
The hearing ended at 2:44 p.m.
Ms. Vogel then provided updates to Commissioners. She stated that they are working on drafts from the items identified in their joint meeting and will share those with Commissioners soon. They are excited to address some of the housekeeping items in code. She also said they have 93 applications so far which was similar to the previous year.
There are also a number of zone changes that have been done in the last few years and Ms. Vogel was requesting permission to have the zoning map updated. Commissioners agreed to proceed with updating the map.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk