***Monday, December 8, 2025 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.
P&Z Administrator Ben Jones entered the meeting at 9:01 a.m.
Mr. Jones provided reports to Commissioners on violations and stated that he will soon be tackling the list of homes that were found by the Assessor’s office. He will also be working on catching up the violations notices that were previously sent to tie up those loose ends and elevate them to the next step if needed.
Commissioners reviewed the steps involved with placement permits and asked how long those are taking. Mr. Jones responded that a placement permit takes about 5 weeks.
Chairman Robertson asked if there were instances where it took less time because not every agency was required to comment. Mr. Jones replied that it still goes through the same process.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked how can we make this process go faster. He suggested that if the access doesn’t involve a county road, we don’t need to route it to Road & Bridge. Can we consider eliminating the routing if it does not involve them. Mr. Jones replied that he would look into that.
Mr. Jones then asked if the contractor can draft some of the letters for violations. He stated that he did get some of them out last week, but can almost guarantee that there will be no response and they will need to be elevated to the next level.
Commissioners discussed what was involved and responded that they felt the violations should come from the P&Z Department not the contractor.
The meeting with Mr. Jones ended at 9:20 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Joseph Pinkerton and Emma Standley-Wallen. Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair to second. Chairman Robertson and Commissioner Bertling voted in favor. Commissioner Pinkerton recused himself.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Commissioner meeting minutes from the week of December 1st. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Juvenile Justice Annual Financial Report. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve extending vacation to one employee in the Clerk’s Office that was over the 120-hour maximum. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to reappoint Kevin Cossairt, Lawrence “Scooter” Drake, and Randy Peterson to the Snowmobile Board for three-year terms expiring February 2029. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the County Vessel Fund Report. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Annual Road & Street Financial Report. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners took no action on the Sales/Lease agreement for the CAT 972 Wheel Loader.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Airport Land Acquisition RFF 02 Final for FAA 3-16-0004-027-2025. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:31 a.m. and stated that he has been working with several departments on a variety of issues. He was still working on a personnel issue and the Riverside project. They have received a considerable number of public records requests the last couple weeks, which was taking a large amount of staff’s time.
Commissioners discussed the MOU they received for Recreation Road and stated that it was on the Fair Board’s agenda. Mr. Wilson stated that legal has not approved the MOU and advised them to not proceed at this time.
Deputy Clerk Rebekah Jensen entered the meeting at 9:58 a.m.
The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 10:02 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go into executive session 31-874 to consider proceedings and records of medical indigents. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. The executive session ended at 10:05 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to deny indigent application 2026-2. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Jensen left the meeting at 10:06 a.m.
Commissioners reviewed claims for payment. Fund totals are as follows:
Current Expense $ 55,725.33
Road & Bridge 505,079.67
Airport 2,621.45
District Court 4,315.35
Justice Fund 87,669.77
911 Funds 5,914.19
Parks and Recreation 8,185.57
Revaluation 782.86
Solid Waste 82,256.56
Veterans Memorial 304.63
Weeds 436.16
Restorium 21,964.70
Waterways 350.65
Road & Bridge Tribal Fuel Fund 76.36
Grant, Airport 18,369.45
Grant, Selkirk Coop Weed Mgmt 4,149.21
Opioid Settlement Fund 25,000.00
LATCF Fund 31,233.47
TOTAL $854,435.38
Trusts
Auditor’s Trust – Misc 3,308.00
Boundary Co. Drug Court Trusts 70.84
Driver’s License Trust 9,013.00
Interlock Device Fund 96.19
Indigent Reimbursements 863.00
Motor Vehicle Trust Acct 121,261.51
Sherriff’s Trust Fund 682.20
Odyssey Court Trust Account 25,333.16
Odyssey Bond Trust Account 2,573.75
TOTAL $163,201.65
GRAND TOTAL $1,017,637.03
Citizens are invited to inspect detailed records on file in the Courthouse (individual claims & Commissioners’ allowance & warrant register record 2025-2026).
The 10:30 a.m. appointment with Mr. Jenkins regarding solid waste fees was cancelled because Mr. Jenkins had no new information to contribute.
Commissioners advised to proceed with solid waste letter to KTOI.
Melanie Staples entered the meeting at 10:36 a.m.
At 11:00 a.m. Ms. Staples stated that she has been the Treasurer for the Bonners Ferry Methodist Church for 15 years. She received the notices regarding the non-profit exemption and assessment, but she forgot she had them, filed them in error, and then didn’t get them submitted. The church was very small and she hated for them to be penalized because of her error. She knew she would get a tax notice on the parsonage that they now rent, but didn’t realize it was also for the church.
Chairman Robertson stated that there was a possibility of a tax cancellation, but we need the paperwork to be completed and returned with the other documentation. Ms. Staples replied that she would complete and return them soon.
Chairman Robertson stated that we can then put it on a future agenda for consideration.
The meeting with Ms. Staples ended at 11:10 a.m. and she left the meeting.
Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith entered the meeting at 11:34 a.m. and stated that the census was at 36. Staffing was getting better but it was still a challenge. Ms. Smith then reviewed the overdue accounts and explained the status on each. Chairman Robertson questioned some of the meal costs and asked Ms. Smith to review those expenses.
The meeting with Ms. Smith ended at 11:53 a.m. and she left the meeting.
The meeting recessed for lunch at 12:02 p.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 Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:25 p.m.
Mr. Barton stated that they have been plowing and sanding areas 1-6 and salt/salt brine in areas 1,2,4 and 5. They will switch over to 7-day coverage this weekend. Brushing/hauling and tree removal was completed on several roads throughout the county.
Mr. Ryals discussed the certificate of completion that was needing signatures and described where the crossing was located.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Local Public Agency’s Certificate of completion of Right-Of-Way activities for Iron Horse Road railroad crossing. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals then presented their ideas for the Solid Waste Department which included streamlining processes, addition of cameras, maintenance and access to the Road & Bridge mechanics, sharing of equipment between the two departments, and safety training.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked about the organizational structure and Mr. Barton shared a document with his ideas. Commissioner Bertling stated that he was now certified on the Air Burner and could help train employees.
Mr. Ryals stated that their priorities were to tackle the mud, safety for both the public and employees and getting the Air Burner up and running. They would like to observe the processes for a period of time to see what other changes they would recommend implementing and asked Commissioners to let them know what other priorities should be included.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 2:01 p.m.
Commissioners stated that they would like to have Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals proceed as supervisors for Solid Waste on a temporary basis. They will re-evaluate at a later date.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 2:10 p.m. and they left the meeting.
LeAlan Pinkerton entered the meeting at 2:12 p.m.
Ms. Barton stated that she had made progress on the pre-employment items for the emergency manager position and will keep Commissioners posted when that was completed.
Chief Deputy Caleb Watts entered the meeting at 2:19 p.m.
The meeting with Ms. Barton ended at 2:20 p.m. and she left the meeting.
Boundary Hospital CEO April Bennett and CFO Melinda Smithson entered the meeting at 2:25 p.m.
LeAlan Pinkerton left the meeting at 2:26 p.m.
Ms. Bennett stated that they are looking for ways to help offset their budget shortfall and were curious about the $170,000 the County received for Opioid Settlement. She asked how the funding was being used and if any of it could be allocated toward the administrative fee for their holistic pain management program.
Chairman Robertson stated that of the funding they received, $25,000 was allocated each year to help fund an SRO position at the schools. At that rate the funding would last about 10-12 years. There was also the possibility of using some of those funds for other projects, but it would reduce the timeframe of the SRO position. Ms. Bennett stated that they are not asking for the full amount of $5,500/month, anything would be helpful.
Commissioner Bertling asked how many people use the program. Ms. Bennett replied that they started the program fairly recently, but were averaging about 12-14 surgical procedures each month. She was not sure on the numbers for the clinic that did not require surgery.
Chairman Robertson asked what was involved in the admin fee. Ms. Bennett replied that they collaborate with the hospital, train providers and the providers NP was in the clinic. They also provide a 24 hour/7 day per week hotline.
Chairman Robertson clarified that almost all of this was handled by a third party and asked if it was then paid for by insurance or private pay. Ms. Bennett responded yes. However, they do not cover the administrative fees and that was what they were asking for help with.
Commissioner Bertling asked if the fee was the same regardless of the number of patients treated. Ms. Bennett responded yes and added that the amount was predictable.
Chairman Robertson asked if this could be handled in-house. Ms. Bennett replied no, they are specialty trained and we do not have enough patients to have them in-house. Chairman Robertson asked if Bonner General used the program. Ms. Bennett replied they use someone else.
Commissioner Bertling asked what would happen with the community if you didn’t have the service. Ms. Bennett replied that we would have more people using addictive drugs or they would have to leave the community to get this type of service.
Commissioner Pinkerton stated that he was open to considering it, but not at this time because of what we have already committed to. He also asked Ms. Poston where they were at on the balance.
Ms. Poston stated that she would want legal to review the admin cost to make sure it was within the scope of the program. She then added that they have not received all of the funds, but it would fund the SRO for 10-12 years. If you take any money away from that, it would reduce the timeline.
Commissioner Pinkerton stated that we also have a request for a drug dog to consider. He also felt the SRO needed to stay in place as long as possible.
Chairman Robertson asked if they were proposing they give the funds directly to the hospital, earmarked for this program. Ms. Bennett responded yes. She stated they wanted to start the conversation to see if there was any possibility.
The meeting with Ms. Bennett and Ms. Smithson ended at 2:45 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Assessor Olivia Drake entered the meeting at 2:55 p.m.
Chief Deputy Watts left the meeting at 2:56 p.m.
Assessor Drake stated that she had attended an IAC meeting recently where they discussed the sharing of professional services between counties. She stated that a survey was going to be sent to gather input on areas the counties would like training on. Some ideas discussed were land use, grant writing, legal, and HR. She wanted the Commissioners to be aware, so they could participate in the survey.
Assessor Drake stated that she was also still getting questions at her office regarding zoning issues. Chairman Robertson stated that the joint meeting with the P&Z Commission was delayed until January and asked Ms. Drake to attend.
The meeting with Ms. Drake ended at 3:25 p.m. and she left the meeting.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:02 p.m.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
No appointments were scheduled; therefore, the Commissioners did not meet.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk