***Monday, November 24, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
P&Z Administrator Ben Jones entered the meeting at 8:57 a.m. to provide his report. He stated that things are going well and provided Commissioners with his spreadsheet showing the status of permits in progress. He added that several comments have recently been added by various agencies. Violations have made some progress and he was trying to close some of those before opening up anymore new.
Commissioner Pinkerton replied that timeliness was important on violations, so he would need to figure out how to balance that so you do not delay and he also wanted to know the progress that was made. Mr. Jones replied that he will need to talk to legal to see what information he can share so he doesn’t cross the line for ex parte communication.
Commissioners explained the basic information that could be shared without details so they can see progress and where the bottlenecks were. Commissioner Pinkerton stated that once a violation was resolved, he would like to hear the stories to understand the situation.
Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:08 a.m.
Mr. Jones replied that most say they didn’t know they needed one. Commissioner Pinkerton stated that ignorance was not an excuse. We require so little of them, they need to be compliant.
The meeting with Mr. Jones ended at 9:10 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Certificates of Residency for Caleb Bryant, Olivia Love and Hailey Dickson. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign meeting minutes from the week of November 17th. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign meeting minutes from the week of November 3rd. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners discussed the request for vacation hours to extend and Commissioner Pinkerton was in favor of having a cap. Commissioner Robertson stated that we need employees to use their vacation.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve extending vacation to four Sheriff’s Office employees that would be over the 120-hour maximum allowed because they have had ongoing staffing constraints that have made it difficult to schedule vacations. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign plats for Underhill Subdivision, file #25-0040 (24-95), and Sunset Ridge Estates, file #25-0096 (25-09). Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Prosecuting Attorney Andrakay Pluid and Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting 9:28 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign RFR #2 for FAA AIP 029 for Phase I Design Services for the runway rehabilitation/shift project. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wilson stated that he has been working on the Riverside issue. Nothing has been filed yet and will keep Commissioners posted.
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 and 74-206(d) to consider records that are exempt from disclosure as provided in chapter 1, title 74, Idaho Code. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. The executive session ended at 9:35 a.m. No action was taken.
Jaycee Atkins, Executive Director for the Fair Board, entered the meeting at 9:37 a.m. Ms. Atkins stated that there was a new Commander for the Veterans and she wanted to meet with Commissioners to clarify some things that have been recent issues. One of which was that the Veterans are removing tables and chairs from the hall for use in other areas. She then doesn’t have tables and chairs to rent the facility. The Veterans Day luncheon was scheduled on Veterans Day (Tuesday) and it was approved for them to decorate on the Monday before. Unfortunately, the showed up on Sunday and started decorating when the hall was rented to someone else.
Chairman Robertson stated that the Veterans Memorial Hall was county owned and county run. It was designed for mutual use and a fund was established to help with maintenance. He also added that there was a considerable number of records defining ownership and the partnership with veterans. He then added that the tables and chairs are owned by the fairgrounds. They can use the hall for free, but none of it was owned by them and any funds generated by the rental of the hall go into the Veterans Memorial fund with the county.
Ms. Atkins stated that rentals have picked up considerably. The Veterans have the hall on the second Thursday of the month, Veterans Day and 9/11. Ms. Atkins asked if I have requests for other rentals, do the Veterans have priority. Chairman Robertson replied that was the dedication and purpose of the building, so they had a place to meet. He suggested she read the documents that were on file at the Courthouse.
Ms. Atkins asked if she had the authority to tell them about the tables and chairs. Chairman Robertson stated yes, you have 100% authority. The fairgrounds owns the tables and chairs and if they want to use them outside of the hall, they will need to rent them just like everyone else.
Commissioner Bertling asked if she had talked to the Fair Board. Ms. Atkins replied that she had and was told to visit with the Commissioners.
Chairman Robertson said the new white tables and chairs are a fairly recent purchase and Ms. Poston could help with what fund paid for them if needed.
The meeting with Ms. Atkins ended at 10:43 a.m. and she left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Land Use Permit with IDL for snowmobile grooming. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Special Use Permit with Stimson for snowmobile grooming. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Passthrough Funds Recipient Agreement with Idaho Dept of Juvenile Corrections. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign letter of support for SPOT. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign bylaws for the Waterways Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Findings & Decision letter for FILE #25-0172, Silvertip Holdings, LLC. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Findings & Decision letter for FILE #25-0183 Parley Holm. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Findings & Decisions letter for FILE #25-0152 Jeff & Loretta Mellinger. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The appointment with Richard Jenkins, Solid Waste Superintendent was cancelled due to illness.
At 9:58 a.m. Cliff Kramer, Alan Branson, Lance Galbreith, and Thomas Sumpter entered the meeting and they introduced themselves to Commissioners. Mr. Sumpter stated that he understood the law had changed and the Masonic Lodge filed for a tax exemption on their lodge, but it was denied. He said the lodge was struggling financially and wanted to know what they can do to reestablish the exemption in the future. Chairman Robertson stated that the law didn’t change, the statute has an annual renewal included and we were not doing that. He also added that the Secretary of State shows that the organization has been dissolved.
Mr. Sumpter stated that when we lost our secretary, everything fell through. We lost our insurance and Deborah Youngwirth was assisting to get everything back in place. Chairman Robertson stated that when you applied there were several documents missing. Ms. Sims was able to locate the Articles of Incorporation. Chairman Robertson asked if they could bring in a copy of their bylaws. Mr. Sumpter replied that he would bring them over later today.
Commissioners confirmed that the property exemption could be re-established if all of the required documentation was submitted and it would need to be renewed each year.
The meeting with the Masons ended at 11:12 a.m. and everyone left the meeting.
At 11:55 a.m. Commissioner Bertling moved to approve property tax cancellation for RPB0080004012DA due to tax exempt status. Commissioner Pinkerton second Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:07 p.m.
The meeting reconvened for the afternoon session at 1:30 p.m. with Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Road & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton entered the meeting at 1:23 p.m. to give his report. He stated that last week they did sign work on Camp Nine, Paradise Valley, Tunnel Rd and Big Bend. Traffic Counters were picked up on Pheasant Run, Echo, Lannigan and Wheeler and set on Katka Rd. Tree removal and brushing was also done on several roads throughout the county. There were mud slides on Deep Creek Loop and District Two Rd that were cleaned up. Next week they plan to continue with sign work, traffic count, ditch work, brushing and winter prep.
Commissioners then discussed the grant application for Katka Rd chipseal project. Commissioner Bertling asked where the chipseal would be. Mr. Barton responded all the way up.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign LRHIP (Local Rural Highway Investment Program) for FY27 Katka Chipseal Project. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Barton ended at 1:38 p.m. and he left the meeting.
Prosecutor Andrakay Pluid entered the meeting at 1:50 p.m.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 1:57 p.m.
Ms. Barton reviewed the minutes from the annual meeting of the Sick Leave Bank Committee which included current and new members, total hours in the bank as well as donated hours throughout the year from new, renewal, and donations. She stated there were a number of questions that were addressed by the committee. They were as follows:
1. If someone was awarded sick leave bank hours and were using them intermittently, can they keep vacation hours on the books?
a. Committee recommended that it was okay to keep vacation hours on the books so that they could be used for recovery/mental health reasons.
i. Commissioners wanted more time to consider. No decision was made.
2. Should the department head be required to approve the sick leave hours in addition to Commissioners?
a. The Committee recommended the department head should be included both before the sick leave bank meeting and after for budgetary reasons.
i. Commissioners decided that the elected official for that department should be included in the decision. Department heads should not be included.
3. How far out in the future can approved hours be used and do they need to continue their membership?
a. The Committee recommended they had one year from approval date to use the hours and must remain a member.
i. Commissioners agreed with the Committee.
4. Can hours be rolled over to the next year if not used?
a. Committee recommended they would need to reapply and continue membership.
i. Commissioners agreed with the Committee.
5. If a member does not have sick hours to contribute, can they use hours from the sick leave bank hours they were awarded as their contribution for membership?
a. Committee recommended they donate sick/vacation/comp/holiday hours from December to rejoin. Sick leave bank hours cannot be used.
i. Commissioners agreed with the Committee.
6. How many hours to contribute for next year?
a. Committee recommended a contribution of 4 hours for renewing members and 16 hours for new members.
i. Commissioners decided to leave it the same as the previous year, 8 hours for renewing members and 16 hours for new members.
At 3:05 p.m. 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 and 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 3:38 p.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the SRO classification of 16 approved by the Classification Committee. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Classification Committee determined the classification of the legal assistant/office manager position to be an 11. Which was lower than it had previously been.
Commissioner Bertling moved to change the classification of the Office Manager/Legal Assistant position for the Prosecutor to 14. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:02 p.m.
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
No Property Assessment Appeal Forms were received therefore the Commissioners did not meet.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk