***Monday, May 5, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims. Due to Chairman Robertson’s absence, Commissioner Bertling was acting chair for the morning session.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Maintenance Supervisor Squire Fields entered the meeting at 8:57 a.m. to give the Courthouse Maintenance Department report. Mr. Fields stated seasonal lawn care has begun, the IT office has been cleaned and moved to their new location, they installed the swinging doors in the Court Clerk’s office, installed directory signage in the courthouse, installed signage at the dump station and also did some painting and other ongoing maintenance.
Greg Lamberty entered the meeting at 9:05 a.m.
Mr. Fields discussed parking signs around the courthouse and asked for guidance on hours. It was decided that the parking is reserved for employees from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The public can use the parking outside of those hours.
Fay Almond entered the meeting at 9:08 a.m.
Mr. Fields also asked about window cleaning for the courthouse. Commissioners decided to proceed with cleaning in the spring only.
The meeting with Mr. Fields ended at 9:13 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:30 a.m. and informed the Commissioners that he will be in court next week at their regular time so he would need to coordinate a different timeslot for the agenda. He has been working with Mr. Ryals and the attorney in moving the Riverside project forward. He will send an email to see where they are at procedurally. Mr. Wilson stated that he has also been working on election issues and verbiage to update the policy manual within the Sheriff’s department.
Commissioner Bertling mentioned a letter he received from Idaho Parks & Recreation regarding approved grant funds for Falls Creek. Mr. Wilson asked that a copy of the letter be forwarded to him.
The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 9:40 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Commissioner meeting minutes for the week of April 28. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Land Lease Agreement for Hanger A2. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Medical Services Contract with Bonners Ferry Family Medicine. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Boundary County/Kootenai County Juvenile Detention Housing Agreement. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign Resolution 2025-21 Increasing the Justice Fund Sheriff Budget Due to Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2025-21
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 2024-2025, and
WHEREAS, Boundary County has received reimbursement in the amount of $1,144.29 from the State of Idaho, Office of Drug Policy for reimbursement for the following needs, and
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Justice Fund Sheriff Budget is in need of additional revenue for fiscal year 2024-2025, 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
0008-00-0391-0018 0008-02-0407-0000 910.84 OT Hours
0008-00-0391-0018 0008-02-0410-0000 127.34 PERSI
0008-00-0391-0018 0008-02-0411-0000 69.68 Soc Sec
0008-00-0391-0018 0008-02-0416-0000 36.43 Work Comp
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 5th day of May, 2025.
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/_________________________
Ben Robertson, Chairman
s/______________________________
Lester Pinkerton, Commissioner
s/______________________________
Tim Bertling, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/ ______
Glenda Poston, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners
Recorded Instrument #299797
Commissioners agreed to table the Idaho Parks & Recreation Agreement for Project #340CAP2025ORF3000005 so that it could be reviewed by legal.
Mr. Lamberty and Ms. Almond left the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
Solid Waste Superintendent Richard Jenkins entered the meeting at 9:55 a.m. to give the Solid Waste report. Mr. Jenkins stated that the main landfill took in a total tonnage of 1,013 tons with a daily average of 33.76 tons. The total vehicle count at the main landfill was 7,191, which is an 11% increase month over month.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked why the increase and if they checked license plates. Mr. Jenkins replied that the increase is due to growth, spring cleaning and cleanups following recent deaths. He also stated that they do check plates and require proof of residency.
Mr. Jenkins also stated that they have two open positions and a load of tires was sent for recycling during the month of April. The repairs on the dozer would be started today. Mr. Jenkins stated that the review of the pilot project plan for the tarp system should be completed this week. He also said the north gas monitoring well had gas exceedance of 8.9% and they will send a camera down to inspect the wells to see if there are any other issues. The CAS project is scheduled to start in June and he will be meeting with DEQ to discuss the air curtain incinerators.
Phil Alligretti entered the meeting at 10:15 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to sign the Request for Metal Waste Disposal. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Jenkins ended at 10:25 a.m. and he left the meeting.
At 10:30 a.m. Mr. Alligretti explained the history of the West Nile Virus projects and the grant funds the county was awarded for this season. He stated that the County would pay about $3,000 for the program. He also expressed concerns about increased mosquitos due to the flooding at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge and that the flooding will increase the need for the program. West Nile Virus has been detected three times with this program and horses have died every year from the virus.
Boundary Economic Development Director David Sims entered at 10:53 a.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to proceed with the West Nile Virus project, not to exceed $3,000. Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Alligretti ended at 10:56 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Mr. Sims stated that he recently attended the Economic Summit in Worley sponsored by the Idaho Department of Commerce and other sponsors. Mr. Sims stated he felt it was better than previous years because it was state and local focused. Mr. Sims also stated that the USDA staff has been reduced from 32 down to 16 and there are concerns about delays. The Moyie Sewer project is proceeding and they are going through various start-ups at this time. Area businesses are still seeing a reduction in Canadian traffic with the March numbers showing flat for Porthill when there is typically a big increase. Lastly Mr. Sims stated that the Idaho BEAD program is close to going out to bid.
Personnel Director Pam Barton and Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith entered the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
The meeting with Mr. Sims ended at 11:32 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Ms. Barton handed out the RN job description and stated it falls outside of the classification chart. Ms. Barton had found a comparable in the Sandpoint area and suggested $36 per hour. The position will need to be posted soon as this roll handles the admitting assessments. Commissioners agreed with posting at $36 an hour.
Ms. Smith stated they currently have 26 residents and they have done quite a few assessments lately that she will follow up on. Most of those are for memory care. Ms. Smith is also working on the past due accounts. She also stated that the Medicaid rent average went up so that will help. She is also working on budget numbers and is considering a rate increase for the next calendar year.
The meeting ended with Ms. Smith at 11:53 a.m. and she left the meeting. Ms. Barton also left the meeting.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:55 a.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 1:30 p.m.
Mr. Barton stated that they had finished up grading and were doing some durapatching, there were trees and brush removed from ROW’s and they have started paving on Farm to Market.
Ken Yount entered the meeting at 1:35 p.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign GMCO piggyback offer for Mag Chloride Dust Abatement with Bonner County. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Ryals provided a draft MOA for Fish and Wildlife regarding the culverts in the Riverside 1B project. Commissioners discussed the MOA and agreed to put it on a future agenda for signatures.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the MOA for Riverside 1B. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Ryals then asked Commissioners if they wanted to include requirements for private roads in the County Road Standards specifically in regards to width and turnaround to accommodate emergency vehicles. Commissioners had varying opinions and asked Mr. Ryals to put something together for them to look at.
Doreen Doyle entered the meeting at 1:55 p.m.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 1:57 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 2:00 p.m. to give the Human Resources report. She reviewed the notice of position of vacancy for the RN position. The remaining items she had were for executive session.
Mr. Yount and Ms. Doyle left the meeting.
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 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. No action was taken.
Mr. Yount and Ms. Doyle re-entered the meeting 2:40 p.m.
Mr. Yount provided Commissioner’s documents showing the Independent Order of Odd Fellows gifting the cemetery at McArthur Lake. Ms. Doyle has been caring for the cemetery and she is ready to retire. Commissioners suggested they form a board and reach out to other cemeteries for guidance. Mr. Yount agreed to assist in the process.
The meeting with Ms. Doyle and Mr. Yount ended at 2:55 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Parks and Recreation board member Tim Dougherty entered the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
Mr. Dougherty read his letter of resignation to the Commissioners. Commissioners thanked him for his 17 years of service.
The meeting with Mr. Dougherty ended at 3:10 p.m. and he left the meeting.
Commissioner Robertson stepped down as chair to move to appoint Tim Bertling to represent Boundary County on the Panhandle Health District Board for an additional term. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioners completed the ballots for submission.
Tuesday, May 6, 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.
Commissioner Bertling moved to recess as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners and convene as the Board of Equalization. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Property Tax Exemption application for Idaho Code 63-602C for parcel # RPB1060001005AA. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to adjourn as the Board of Equalization and reconvene as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Noxious Weed Superintendent Dave Wenk entered the meeting at 9:15 a.m.
Clerk Glenda Poston entered the meeting at 9:30 a.m. and Mr. Wenk presented the Agreement with ISDA and stated that this is the cooperative agreement for landowner reimbursement of herbicides.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the ISDA Selkirk Cooperative Weed Management Area Disbursement Agreement for the approved 2025 allocation of $15,336.00. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Wenk ended at 9:38 and he left the meeting.
Landfill Superintendent Richard Jenkins entered the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
Personnel Director Pam Barton entered the meeting at 10:00 a.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. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Commissioner’s voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. The executive session ended at 10:28 a.m. No action was taken.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk