***Monday, May 18, 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.
The Second Chance board – Stephanie Chase, Amy Bliss, Liz Cada and Jennifer Kelson entered the meeting at 9:00 a.m. City of Bonners Ferry Mayor Rick Alonzo also entered the meeting.
Ms. Chase stated that the entire board turned over in October 2024 when the shelter nearly closed. She said they have been working diligently to keep it open with 1/3 of their funding coming from a combination of donations and City/County funding, and the remaining 2/3 coming from the thrift store. The County has provided miniscule increases in the past, but they are needing a significant increase to support their services. The Community continues to grow and demands are increasing as well as projects that need to be done to help with electrical issues and fencing.
Ms. Cada talked about the cat population problems and several hot spots for dumping that affect the surrounding areas. Second Chance doesn’t contract for cats, but they get calls frequently. In 2024 they took in 136 cats and 2025 it was 126. They can’t take feral, but they can take adoptable cats and have a permanent waiting list. Ms. Kelson added that they would like to expand, but need funding to make that happen.
Ms. Bliss said that Second Chance has never been self-sufficient. It costs $78,000/year to run the shelter with their largest expense being vet bills. The have a skeleton crew and the volunteer board donates many hours. They would like to hire more staff to help.
Chairman Robertson asked how many animals they currently have. Ms. Chase said they have approximately 40 animals at any given time. Ms. Cada said they currently have 17 cats and 14 dogs.
Greg Lamberty entered the meeting 9:15 a.m.
Chairman Robertson asked if spay/neuter was their biggest expense. Ms. Bliss replied that vet expenses are their biggest expense. Some animals come in sick. They work with Dr. Burt, BF Vet Clinic and Center Valley to get the best rate.
Ms. Chase stated that they have asked the city for additional funding and would like to also have increased funding from the county. Chairman Robertson explained the limitations the county has with 3% increases.
Ms. Poston suggested licensing fees for the county, implemented by Second Chance. She also asked what the City of Moyie contributes. Ms. Chase said they have not approached the City of Moyie but thought that was a good idea since many animals come from there. Ms. Chase also added that they charge $25 per day when an animal is picked up by its owner, but people rarely pay that bill.
Chairman Robertson confirmed you are asking for $2,500/month. Ms. Poston said they are currently paid $13,000 per year and they are wanting to increase it to $30,000.
Commissioner Bertling suggested that they get on the agenda for the City of Moyie. Chairman Robertson said that they are just now beginning the budget process and were unsure what amount the county can do.
The meeting with Second Chance ended at 9:28 a.m. and Ms. Chase, Ms. Cada, Ms. Bliss and Ms. Kelson left the meeting. Mayor Alonzo also left the meeting.
Sheriff Travis Stolley and Chief Deputy Watts entered the meeting 9:29 a.m.
Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid and Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:30 a.m.
Mr. Lamberty left the meeting at 9:30 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”. The executive session ended 10:20 a.m. No action was taken.
Ms. Pluid, Mr. Wilson and Chief Deputy Watts left the meeting at 10:21 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to recess as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and reconvene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Jeff Lindsey entered the meeting at 10:22 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the minutes from April 20, 2026. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Lindsey stated that they had 114 calls with chute times of 1 minute 33 seconds, which was inside their 2-minute target to get out the door. They have a couple open part-time positions for paramedics.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked him to share an organizational chart for Boundary Ambulance.
The meeting ended at 10:25 a.m. and Chief Lindsey left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Recording Clerk Cherry Grainger entered the meeting at 10:26 a.m.
Treasurer Jenny Economu entered the meeting at 10:29 a.m.
Sheriff Stolley stated that he owner-carried a piece of property where the buyer defaulted in 2024. Documents were recorded at that time, but he realized this year that he never received a tax notice and found out the Assessor still had it in the wrong name. He was asking for consideration to have the late fee and interest removed because he didn’t receive the notice.
Ms. Grainger said the first documents were recorded through Simplifile so it was recorded automatically. When the lessor recorded the document in 2024 it didn’t include the parcel number, so she referenced the earlier recorded instrument number. At the end of each day, she submits a report to the Assessor’s office that includes all of the documents that were recorded for that day and showed Commissioners the report. Ms. Grainger said that she was unsure why the Assessor’s office did not pickup the change.
Ms. Economu stated that Idaho Statute §63-902 states that failure to receive notice does not excuse you from fines. She added that it would be a very slippery slope if we started waiving late fees/interest.
Commissioner Bertling moved to keep late fees and penalties as assigned. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Economu and Ms. Grainger left the meeting at 10:38 a.m.
Sheriff Stolley updated Commissioners on dispatch and staffing issues within the Sheriff’s Department.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Spyridon Petras. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Commissioner meeting minutes from the week of May 11th. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve Proposal Request #26-0504 for the Justice Building. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the plat map for Guardian Estates. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Agreement with Idaho Parks and Recreation for the OHV Program. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Findings & Decision Letter for File #25-0127 Short Plat Subdivision. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Findings & Decision Letter for File #26-0073 Short Plat Lot Line Adjustment. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Independent Contractor Agreement with Bonners Ferry Glass for Energy Efficiency Grant. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign RFR #1 for AIP026. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign RFR #1 for AIP028. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign bid protest decision letter to Selland Construction Inc for FAA AIP Project 3-16-0004-029-2025. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Sheriff Stolley left the meeting at 11:27 a.m. and the meeting recessed for lunch.
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 1:28 p.m. Mr. Barton stated that they put up delineators on Deep Creek Loop and placed dust abatement on Painted Horse, Eagle Crest, Baldy Mountain, Winchester and Eileen Rds. The grinder was down while they waited on parts. Those were delivered today and it should be up and running by tomorrow. This week they plan to put up more delineators, water/grade roads and add dust abatement.
Mr. Ryals shared an agreement with BNSF for Shiloh Bridge. Chairman Robertson asked if BNSF will have a flagger during the project. Mr. Ryals replied yes. Mr. Ryals said the original agreement had a cap on the costs and Mr. Wilson had concerns with that. The cap has now been removed so any cost incurred above the project amount would be paid by LHTAC.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the agreement between BNSF and Boundary County for Shiloh Bridge. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Ryals then shared documents regarding the leases that would be up soon for two graders. He said they were not ready to sign, but they were considering $60,000 for each. Commissioners stated they would need to see the numbers before making any decisions.
Commissioner Bertling moved to proceed pending approval. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners then discussed the Solid Waste budget and if any fee changes had been included. Mr. Ryals said the fees are the same as previous and felt the residential was pretty close. Commissioners agreed, and said they felt that commercial was too low. They then discussed ways to track it and the need for an audit for commercial waste.
Mr. Ryals explained that they had maxed out the previous allocation for Great West Engineering for gas migration remediation services. The new agreement was for an additional $25,000.
Commissioner Bertling moved to extend funds for Task Order #2 for Landfill Gas Monitoring Migration Remediation Services from Great West Engineering. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Ryals stated that he had completed the operations plan for Take It or Leave It and for cardboard recycling.
Ms. Poston asked about the funds Road & Bridge has in Auditor’s Trust. Mr. Ryals replied they have spent some of it and are still talking to the state about the rest. They should have it all spent.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 2:05 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 2:10 p.m. and provided a couple forms for Commissioners regarding employee status. She said that Indeed was still limiting posting and other counties are having the same issue. Those counties are also redoing their websites to enhance job postings. Ms. Barton said the Restorium had negotiated a $5 per day fee with Indeed, but they were also charged an additional fee for each click. The Restorium Supervisor has stopped the listing due to the cost. Ms. Barton then discussed the various open positions.
The meeting with Ms. Barton ended at 2:29 p.m. and she left the meeting.
KVRI Facilitator Theresa Wheat called in at 2:45 p.m. and stated that Chairman Robertson was the co-chair for the meeting. She said that they will approve the meeting of record from April and have presentations from Karen Schumacher regarding the Tribe’s Food Waste program. An update will also be provided on the 2026 Kootenai Basin Water Supply/Sturgeon Operations.
The meeting with Ms. Wheat ended at 2:49 p.m. and the call ended.
The meeting with Heather Fuller was cancelled.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. with Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims. Clerk Glenda Poston was absent due to the election.
At 9:00 a.m. Commissioners held an elected officials/department head meeting. Those in attendance were Weeds Superintendent Kyle Watts, Veterans Service Officer Wayne Olin, Assessor Olivia Drake, Road & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton, Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals, Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith, U of I Educator Amy Robertson, and Treasurer Jenny Economu.
Commissioners went around the room for office updates from the various departments in attendance.
The meeting ended at 9:43 a.m. and everyone left the meeting except Ms. Robertson.
Ms. Robertson then provided her quarterly report for the Extension Office. She stated that 4H has begun. They were able to add a few projects that they have been unable to offer in recent years. Those were archery and geology. On April 27th 4H members could participate in the County Oral Presentation Contest where they present on a topic of their choice. Full day camps have been scheduled and they are now working on ½ day camps. Pig weigh-in was last week with 106 pigs, but many of those were alternates. Overall numbers are down slightly over the previous year. 4H cat show will be held this weekend.
For education Ms. Robertson stated that she will attend all first-grade classrooms to teach them about butter and how it was made and fifth grades attended the Farm and Forestry event where they had 113 students. She said that they have held master food safety classes, pressure canning, jerky making, and fermented beverages.
Cassie Olson, Administrator and Tom Daniel Soil Conservation Board member entered the meeting at 9:48 a.m.
Several people have passed the master gardener test and the greenhouse has been ordered. They are also partnering with Fish & Game to rent equipment to help reduce fruit that attracts bears. Ms. Robertson said that Samuel DeGray will have a hay and forage school and was surveying for alfalfa pests and preparing ovarium sheets for common pasture grass. Lastly, she has completed writing a 4H project on freeze drying that was now in design. They should be able to implement this new project throughout out the state next year.
The meeting with Ms. Robertson ended at 9:56 a.m. and she left the meeting.
Ms. Olson said they requested the meeting to review what they did with the funds last year and ask for the same funds for the next fiscal year. Ms. Olson reviewed the changes with the boat check station stating that the location was changed with the state donating the property and they have expanded the hours and weeks/months of operation. They are checking boats from all directions and are working on permanent signage. They are fully staffed with 10 employees.
Their Arbor Day celebration was successful with over 900 seedling trees with a donation from the Irons Family. The 250th Farm Tour was scheduled for July 31st.
They appreciate the $12,000 funding from the county which was then matched by the state for their various programs.
Commissioner Bertling asked if she could reach out to Panhandle Health to inform them about the boat check station. Ms. Olson replied that she had already reached out to the state so that they could contact PHD to inform them of the changes.
The meeting ended at 10:13 a.m. and Ms. Olson and Mr. Daniel left the meeting.
At 10:30 a.m. Commissioners held a public hearing for a fee increase for airport hangar/ground lease & new hangar application fees. Those in attendance were: Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims, Airport Manager Dave Parker, Airport Board Member Jay Wages, Warzel Parsons-Keir, Susan Parsons-Keir, Michael Wigen, Matt Nichols and Tiffany Nichols. The hearing was recorded.
Chairman Robertson opened the public hearing stating that the purpose of the hearing was regarding a fee increase for airport hangar/ground lease and application fees. Commissioners cited no conflicts of interest.
Mr. Parker provided the staff report stating that the two fees produce income for the airport. The Hangar lease rates are for existing hangars and the application fee was to assist with expenses incurred by the airport when someone wants to build a new hangar. They review the fees every 2 years and the last time they were raised was 2023. The goal was to have an airport that supports itself.
Mr. Parker stated that the current lease rate was $.16/sq ft and they would like to raise it to $.20. Most leases will not see the increase until 2028. He also reviewed the rates for Coeur d’Alene, Priest River, Sandpoint, Libby, Eureka and St. Maries as comparisons. The Airport Board recommends the increase.
Mr. Parker then added that the bigger item was the fee to help with additional infrastructure. The Airport Board also recommends increasing this from $3,000 to $5,000 to help with infrastructure costs the airport incurs when additional hangars are built. The new people building the new hangars would be paying the fee for what they are causing.
Commissioners had no questions.
Chairman Robertson then opened the hearing to public comment and asked if anyone was in favor of the proposed change. Warzel Parsons-Keir of Whirlybird Aviation LLC stated that it was a great airport and he felt it was a very reasonable increase request and appreciated the smaller increments that happen more often rather than large increases. Mr. Parsons-Keir also asked a question about fuel sales and how that was split.
Chairman Robertson asked if anyone was neutral on the proposed increase. Michael Wigen stated that he has been flying out of the airport since 1973 and it was a great place to do business. He felt good decisions were being made and it was well taken care of. He then compared the airport to the one in Creston, BC where he said the rates are similar but the taxes are very high in comparison. He urged them to watch what was happening in other jurisdictions.
Chairman Robertson asked if anyone wished to speak against the proposed increase. No one spoke. Chairman Robertson then asked Mr. Parker to answer the question about fuel that was asked earlier. Mr. Parker explained the split stating that the county gets about $.05 cents for every gallon sold, money was also split and sent to federal and state. He said the biggest income for the county was the hangar fees, not fuel.
Commissioners had no questions. Chairman Robertson closed the hearing to public comment and called for deliberation. Commissioner Bertling saw no problem with raising the rates. Commissioner Pinkerton stated that they are still within the current market rate and in line with inflation. Chairman Robertson stated that it was a usage and impact fee paid by those that use the airport.
Commissioner Bertling moved to increase the airport hangar/ground lease fee from $.16 to $.20 per square foot and increase the application fee for new hangers to $5,000.00. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The public hearing ended at 10:45 a.m.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:54 a.m.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk