***Monday, March 30, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims. Chairman Ben Robertson and Clerk Glenda Poston were absent.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to appoint Commissioner Bertling as acting chairman. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Bonners Ferry Herald reporter Noah Harris entered the meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Fay Almond entered the meeting at 9:10 a.m.
The appointment with the VFW was cancelled because no one attended the meeting.
EDC Director David Sims entered the meeting at 9:21 a.m.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson cancelled his appointment with Commissioners.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Commissioner meeting minutes from the week of March 23rd. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Assignment of Lease for Hangar D5. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign RFF #6 for Airport Grant 3-16-0004-029-2025. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Task Order Number for 26-01 Parallel Taxiway Extension (Phase I Design). Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Selection of Consultants for Airport Improvement Program Sponsor Certification for Project # 3-16-0004-031-2026. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Owner’s Information Certificate for sprinkler protection for the Justice Building. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Resolution 2026-23 Increasing the Justice Fund Sheriff Budget Due to Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2026-23
INCREASING THE JUSTICE FUND SHERIFF BUDGET
DUE TO RECEIPT OF UNANTICIPATED REVENUE
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of Idaho, did establish an operating budget for the Boundary County Justice Fund Sheriff Budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, and
WHEREAS, Boundary County has received reimbursement in the amount of $98,965.00 from the State of Idaho, Idaho Department of Correction for inmate housing, and
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Justice Fund Sheriff Budget is in need of jail repairs and additional revenue for fiscal year 2025-2026, and
WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue does not affect the tax levy for Boundary County, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase the Boundary County Justice Fund as follows:
Revenue Account Number Expense Account Number In the Amount of
0008-00-0338-0050 0008-02-0494-0000 $50,000.00
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,
IT IS RESOLVED, that the increase to the Boundary County Justice Fund Revenue Account Numbers and the Boundary County Justice Fund Sheriff Budget Expense Account Numbers as outlined above is hereby authorized and ordered, and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk is instructed to deliver certified copies of this resolution to the Boundary County Treasurer and the Boundary County Auditor.
DATED this 30th day of March, 2026.
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
absent__________________________
Ben Robertson, Chairman
s/______________________________
Lester Pinkerton, Commissioner
s/______________________________
Tim Bertling, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/ ______
Glenda Poston, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded Instrument #302699
Commissioners reviewed a letter from the Hospital which included the list of recommended names to fill the open board position and decided continue with the appointment as previously set.
Mr. Sims reviewed some suggested changes to the timeline for the Energy Efficiency Grants with the planning and procurement each extended by a week. The construction and finalization remained the same. He stated that he would need to visit with Civil Attorney Bill Wilson on the eventual contract and have him approve it. He added that they will be proceeding with the federal requirements as they are the most restrictive.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve schedule and spec for Grant EECBG-R2-006. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve schedule and spec for Grant EECBG-R2-007. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Harris and Mr. Sims left the meeting at 9:44 a.m.
Ms. Almond left the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith entered the meeting at 9:56 a.m.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 9:57 a.m.
Kevin Schnuerle entered the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Ms. Smith stated that she would like to make a change to the stipend for nurses when they are on call. The issue was that they can take a day off and then get paid overtime if they get a call. She would like to pay them $40 per day when they are on call. It was not an hourly rate and it will not count towards overtime. It will be a stipend only. If they are called in, they will clock in and be paid their normal hourly rate. Commissioner Bertling asked how many calls do they get. Ms. Smith answered that it can vary, but she estimated 15 calls per month.
Commissioner Bertling asked where this would come from within her budget. Ms. Smith replied that it was already included in her budget because of the weekend verses weekly rate. Ms. Barton replied it would be easier for her to track as a stipend and it will be cleaner.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the $40 stipend per day for nurses on call as proposed. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Smith stated that she recently completed the food handler course and will take over the kitchen until they find someone. Because of the course she had concerns about outside food coming in with the Friends of the Restorium picnic. Commissioner Bertling asked what the options were.
Mr. Schnuerle stated we would like to keep the picnic on site, because it was more successful and the residents can participate. However, it appears that we might not be able to be in the kitchen nor can we bring food that was made at home in.
Commissioner Pinkerton stated with have to comply with the rules, and it sounds like we need to clarify questions on the handling of outside food. Commissioner Bertling stated it was a great event and we need to find a way to support it. He added that he would contact Panhandle Health to discuss what issues there may be and get back to them.
Mr. Schnuerle stated they didn’t want to cause issues but were looking for a resolution. The picnic was scheduled for the last Sunday in June.
The meeting with Ms. Smith ended at 10:27 a.m. and she and Ms. Barton left the meeting.
Mr. Schnuerle left the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
The meeting recessed at 10:43 a.m.
The meeting reconvened for the afternoon session at 1:30 p.m. with Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Road & Bridge Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:25 p.m. and stated that they have mostly been brushing/hauling brush and brooming roads throughout the county. They also hauled rock and graded Westside Road in preparation for the construction on Riverside. They continue to open roads from spring closures, pit maintenance and sign work. This week they plan to continue with pit maintenance, sign work, traffic counters, cold patching, brushing and spring maintenance where needed.
Commissioner Pinkerton stated that there was tension between the residents that use Westside Rd and the refuge regarding the federal project. Sheriff Stolley has volunteered to help get information out, but we need to remind everyone that this was a federal project, not county. Mr. Ryals agreed and stated that we found out at the same time as everyone else. He then added that the feds will be sending weekly emails about the status of the project and we can also help share that information with the public. A couple years ago, Road & Bridge did do a lot of work on Lions Den in preparation. The anticipated completion was September 2026.
Mr. Ryals then added that crews are dealing with a sinkhole repair on Kootenai Trail and traffic was down to one lane.
As for Solid Waste, Mr. Ryals stated that the monthly monitoring happened on Friday and it was still higher than the 5% allowed. DEQ and engineers were looking for options. Another meeting was scheduled for April 14th on site. Mr. Ryals stated that he will also review the ops plan with the recent changes.
Commissioners then signed the CAT finance documents for the lease of the 938 Loader that they made a motion on the previous week.
Mr. Ryals stated that he would be providing a blue bin for Take It or Leave It. Commissioner Bertling said he would be out to run the burner at the end of the week and Mr. Ryals said they have the belt for the chipper and will have it repaired by then as well.
The meeting with Mr. Ryals ended at 2:07 p.m. and he left the meeting.
Personnel Director Pam Barton reentered the meeting at 2:15 p.m. and shared documents for temporary hires for the site monitor position. She also stated that the chosen applicant for P&Z was ready to start and Commissioners set wage at $20.14 per hour, with potential increase as skills are achieved.
Ms. Barton also informed Commissioners that Persi would be switching the county to the new system this month rather than delaying for another month.
The meeting with Ms. Barton ended at 2:26 p.m. and she left the meeting.
There was no further business, therefore the meeting adjourned at 2:28 p.m.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims. Chairman Ben Robertson and Clerk Glenda Poston were absent.
At 2:00 p.m. Commissioners held a public hearing for FILE #25-0144, LONG PLAT SUBDIVISION, HILT VENTURE CAP, INC. Those in attendance were: Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims, P&Z Staff Tessa Vogel, P&Z Technician Jennifer Maynard, Joe Bushnell and Fred Nystrom. The hearing was recorded.
Commissioner Bertling read the project description stating that the applicant was requesting preliminary plat approval for Timberline Commercial Park, a commercial subdivision via long plat, to divide a 25.29-acre parcel into six, 1-acre lots and one, 19.297-acre lot in the Rural Community/Commercial zone. The Rural Community/Commercial zone has a lot size minimum of 2 ½ acres where no community water or sewer service was available, 1-acre where either community water or sewer service was available, or ½-acre where both community water and sewer services are available. The parcel was located at the intersection of Highway 95 and Ethan Martin Drive and identified as Assessor’s Parcel RP62N01E117821A in Section 11, Township 62 North, Range 1 East, B.M. The Boundary County Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of the file to the Board of County Commissioners at their February 26, 2026, public hearing. Commissioners cited no disclosures or conflicts of interest.
Ms. Vogel reviewed the hearing procedures and provided the staff report. Ms. Vogel stated the purpose of the application was for preliminary plat approval of a commercial subdivision via long plat. Long plats have a two-step process and this hearing was the second step. The application will require proof of community water service from Three Mile Water or another water district or association. Because of Three Mile Water, you will see both smaller and larger flag lots. It will also have private septic, and be served by North Bench Fire and Northern Lights.
Ms. Vogel stated that the application was routed to various agencies in December 2025 and February 2026 for comments. Addressing stated that Ethan Martin Drive had already been approved. The airport confirmed that the conditions are to be applied to this application and Road & Bridge stated it fell under ITD jurisdiction. DEQ stated it had no environmental impacts at this stage. ITD stated that they had granted one commercial approach under ITD permit #1-26-190-A in January 2026 and any future development will require additional applications. Panhandle Health provided a conditions letter and Three Mile Water provided a letter confirming it fell within their district, and they are limiting the number of applications at this time. Commissioners had no questions for staff.
Commissioner Bertling called for the applicant to present. Mr. Bushnell stated that it was pretty straight forward and I think you can see what we would like to do. Commissioners had no questions for the applicant.
Commissioner Bertling then opened the hearing to public comment and called for anyone to speak in favor, neutral and opposition to the application. No one spoke. Mr. Nystrom asked if he could ask a question. He was told he could and the applicant could choose to answer the question in their rebuttal. Mr. Nystrom stated that he owned a good piece of property next to the project and wanted to know what they were planning and if it would be a mall. He was curious what he would be looking at. He was not against the development, just curious.
Commissioner Bertling closed the public comment portion and asked the applicant if they had anything more to add. Mr. Bushnell stated that to answer the question it would be small commercial light industrial for trade shops such as plumbers. It would have one structure per lot. There wasn’t enough room for anything more.
Commissioner Bertling closed the hearing and called for deliberation. Commissioner Pinkerton stated that it was a good application and his questions were answered. Commissioner Bertling agreed. Commissioners then worked through their decision-making worksheet and reason statement.
Commissioner Bertling called for a motion.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the preliminary plat for Timberline Commercial Park, a proposed commercial subdivision, File #25-0144, and direct staff to prepare written findings, a 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 reasons as read into the record. This action does not result in a taking of private property. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as acting chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The public hearing ended at 2:26 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:28 p.m.
s/________________________________
TIM BERTLING, Acting Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk