***Monday, March 23, 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 8:54 a.m.
EDC Director David Sims entered the meeting at 8:55 a.m.
Mr. Fields updated Commissioners on the roofing quote for the extension office. He stated that it was time for the roof to be replaced. He sets money aside each year for roof replacement, but said he wouldn’t have enough. Commissioners asked him to include it in his next budget request for them to evaluate. It was also noted that they won’t move forward with any big projects until the Justice Building was complete.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked about information on the cracks in the seams of the cement panels. Mr. Fields said he has information coming. Commissioner Pinkerton asked him to also include that amount in the budget request.
Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:10 a.m.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a grant available from the Idaho Department of Lands to remove older trees and replace them. Mr. Fields stated that the large trees in the front of the courthouse are root bound, damaged, and he felt some of the trees were rotten. He has been giving them hormone shots the last few years to extend their life. Commissioner Pinkerton felt that a tree arborist should look at them to determine their health before any decisions were made. Commissioners also discussed the cottonwoods along the dike and the spruce along the railroad tracks at the fairgrounds might be better options to consider. Commissioners asked Mr. Sims to look at the grant paperwork and asked Mr. Fields to schedule an arborist or forester to look at the health of the trees.
The meeting ended at 9:25 a.m. and Mr. Fields and Mr. Sims left the meeting.
Airport Board member Jay Wages entered at 9:29 a.m.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered at 9:31 a.m.
Mr. Lamberty left the meeting at 9:33 a.m.
Airport Manager Dave Parker and Airport Board member Don Jordan entered at 9:34 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go into executive session 74-206(f) to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. The mere presence of legal counsel at an executive session does not satisfy this requirement. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”.
Mr. Parker, Mr. Wages, and Mr. Jordan left the meeting at 9:53 a.m.
The executive session ended at 10:20 a.m. and Mr. Wilson left the meeting. No action was taken.
Mr. Sims reentered the meeting at 10:29 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Katalina Williams. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Commissioner meeting minutes for the week of March 16th. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign plat map for Trident Estates. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign plat map for North Bench Subdivision. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign letter of support to IJC Treaty Study Board. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners asked Mr. Sims if he had reviewed the grant award documents. He stated that he had and noted that he didn’t see any issues.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign EECBG R2 Subaward Agreement for Boundary County, EECBG-R2-006. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign EECBG R2 Subaward Agreement for Boundary County, EECBG-R2-007. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Sims left the meeting at 10:28 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to recess as Boundary County Board of Commissioners and reconvene as the Board of Equalization. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Robertson moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption application for parcel #’s RP00460GL10066A, RP00460GL108AA, RP62N01E350050A, and RPB0240049022A for Grandview Cemetery Association. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption applications for Parcel #’s RPB1060001005AA, RP62N01E150760A, RP64N01E070310A, RPB00000337220A, and RPB0240026006AA for Second Chance Animal Adoption Inc., Kootenai Valley Mennonite Church, Copeland Community Ball Park Association, and Senior Hospitality Center, Inc. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption application for parcel #RP61N01E40150A for Paradise Valley Grange #389. Commissioner Bertling second. Commissioner Bertling and Commissioner Pinkerton voted in favor. Chairman Robertson abstained.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption application for parcel #RP62N02E086901A for Bonners Ferry Gun Club. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair and moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption application for parcel #RP62N01E170011A for Thomason Scholarship Foundation. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair and moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption application for parcel number RPB00000344881A for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption application for parcel #RPB00000226615A for Friends of Head Start Inc. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair and moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption application for parcel #RPB00000344950A for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption application for parcel #RP63N03E323300A for Skin Creek Water Association. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption application for parcel #RP61N01W18260A for Bonners Ferry Rotary Club. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Robertson moved to approve Property Tax Exemption Application for parcel #RPB00000345015A for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Commissioner Berting second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Robertson stepped down as chair and moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption Application for RPB00000228582A for the Senior Hospitality Center, Inc. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Robertson stepped down as chair and moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption Application for parcel #RP61N01E083150A for Moravia Cemetary Association. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption Application for parcel #RPB0240042012DA for Senior Hospitality Center, Inc. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to adjourn as the Board of Equalization and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Debra Henderson entered the meeting at 10:53 a.m. and asked how they can run the air burner without a permit from DEQ. Commissioners replied that they have a permit. Ms. Henderson then asked what they were going to do with it. Commissioners replied that they would be burning clean wood waste. Commissioner Bertling added that an article would be published soon regarding changes at the landfill.
Ms. Henderson then asked about composting at the landfill. Commissioner Bertling stated that was looked at a number of years ago with the KTOI. It takes a tremendous amount of space, more than we have. It will also take a considerable number of employees. There was funding to help with that in the beginning, but that reduces over time and the tax payers would be left to fund it after that.
Ms. Henderson asked about a proposal from Casey West for the wood pile. Commissions replied that Mr. West was not able to move forward because of the dirty/painted/stained wood. She then asked if the burner would be used for carcasses. Commissioners replied no, their permit was for clean wood only. The dirty/painted/stained wood would be put through the grinder to mix with sand for cover.
Ms. Henderson asked where she could find a copy of the budget. Commissioners stated that it was published in the Herald and directed her to the Clerk’s office.
Ms. Henderson left the meeting at 10:55 a.m.
Chairman Robertson and Commissioner Bertling then left the meeting to perform the quarterly jail inspection.
The meeting recessed for lunch at 12:05 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 & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:20 p.m.
Ms. Henderson reentered the meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Mr. Barton stated that last week they continued with pit maintenance, set traffic counters on Mountain Meadows, Chisholm and Pinkerton roads. Sign work on Moyie River road and brushing with the mini on Fox Glove. No grading was done. They continue to pickup stuff from the storm and believe they will have that completed in a couple days. Roads are open on the north end of the County. This week they plan to continue with pit maintenance, continue opening roads, grading, and attend a preconstruction meeting for Riverside and a BATT meeting.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked about any further discussion on using the Tribal Fuel Tax money to purchase the oil for chip sealing. Chairman Robertson replied we only have to get approval on the portion that was designated for tribal projects. He also suggested that we not buy additional, but instead use half of the money for the current project and carry the other half forward to help build toward a safeguard in case SRS money doesn’t come in the future.
As for Solid Waste, Mr. Barton stated that they had the grinder and ACI running last week. A belt needs to be replaced on the grinder so it was up at the shop currently. Commissioner Pinkerton asked how much material do they have. Commissioner Bertling thought there was a month of material on site.
Mr. Ryals stated that they continue to work on the gas monitoring and have a meeting scheduled later this week. He would like to run the readings again before the meeting. Commissioner Bertling replied that the two wells causing the issue are too close to the refuse. Mr. Ryals agreed that they need to be moved further out.
The conversation then changed to the Schedule A Agreement with the USFS. Chairman Robertson stated that this agreement doesn’t bind us to do the work. Commissioner Bertling stated it has to correlate with a timber sale, we don’t have the manpower or time to go after additional work outside of that. Commissioners agreed that the GNA and road agreement would work together to assist the county with USFS projects.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Schedule A Agreement with USDA, Forest Service, Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Ryals provided a document that needed signatures for the loader they had approved previously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign finance documents for 2025 CAT 938-14 Loader. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
It was decided that Commissioner Bertling would be at the landfill on Friday, March 27th to run the air burner. Mr. Barton confirmed they would be ready by that date.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 1:50 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Ms. Henderson left the meeting at 1:53 p.m.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 2:15 p.m. and reviewed the interview schedule.
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 2:35 p.m.
Adrienne Norris entered at 2:35 p.m. and asked about the jail inspection from earlier in the day.
Ms. Norris left the meeting at 3:02 p.m.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:22 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24, 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 held an elected official department head meeting. Those in attendance were: Coroner Chad Workman, U of I Educator Amy Robertson, IT Director Matt Hodges, Veterans Service Officer Wayne Olin, Personnel Director Pam Barton, Road & Bridge Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryans, Road & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton, Sheriff Travis Stolley, Assessor Olivia Drake, Emergency Management Cory Tatcher, Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid, Probation Alisa Walker, Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith, and Maintenance Supervisor Squire Fields.
Commissioners went around the room for office updates from the various departments in attendance.
The meeting ended at 9:40 a.m. and everyone left the meeting except Ms. Walker.
Ms. Walker provided Commissioners with an estimate of $400 for the Tahoe for repairs, which was better than expected. She stated the windshield was also cracked but that can be addressed at a later time. She also added that she was still looking to either equip the Tahoe for a K9 or get a second vehicle that was already equipped. She has a lead on one in southern Idaho and estimates the cost to be $3,000.
Commissioners told her to proceed with the repairs on the Tahoe and that she could continue to use the Commissioners vehicle if needed. They would address the other vehicle at a later time.
The meeting with Ms. Walker ended at 9:52 a.m. and she left the meeting.
At 10:30 a.m. Commissioners visited the Bonners Ferry High School Government class to answer questions asked by students concerning county government.
The meeting with students ended at 11:20 a.m. and Commissioners recessed for lunch.
The meeting reconvened for the afternoon session at 1:30 p.m. with Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, Personnel Director Pam Barton and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Commissioner Bertling 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 Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. The executive session ended at 3:45 p.m.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:57 p.m.
s/________________________________
TIM BERTLING, Acting Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk