***Monday, May 19 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.
Maintenance Supervisor Squire Fields entered the meeting at 8:50 a.m.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Fields stated he was there to request a new mower for the Maintenance Department. They struggle to get the job done in the gaps when court is not in session. They recently used a mower from Parks & Recreation, but it was too large for the area and would like to invest in something of quality for their own department.
Greg Lamberty and Fay Almond entered the meeting at 9:05 a.m.
Commissioners discussed various sizes and types of mowers, how often they need to empty the bags, and the sound issues interrupting court. Mr. Fields stated that even their electric weed eater makes too much noise.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked about hiring a lawn service. Commissioner Bertling and Chairman Robertson said that would be too expensive.
Commissioners decided to look at another walk behind mower to get the job done more quickly and also wanted them to consider trading hours to mow on the weekends to avoid court.
The meeting with Mr. Fields ended at 9:13 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Certificates of Residency for Rylann Lewis. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to rescind Resolution 2025-16 because it was a duplication. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2025-16 was recorded with instrument #299325.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the meeting at 9:33 a.m. and stated that last week he replied to the Commissioners questions from the previous week and asked that they forward the Property Tax Exemption Applications that they had questions on. He added that it was up to the property owners to appeal if they did not agree with the decisions.
Mr. Wilson also stated that the Resolution for the Sheriff’s department was approved and included the use of “may” as the Commissioners had requested. He also stated that he will follow up on the lien for the unpaid bill at the Restorium. He will also follow up with an email regarding the status of the Riverside Rd. project.
Ms. Poston mentioned the Ambulance District Resolution and the deadline that was approaching, if the Commissioners wanted to move forward with removing it from the URD. Mr. Wilson said that he will look into draft resolution language.
The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 9:54 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Reporter Ned Newton entered the meeting at 9:55 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Resolution 2025-23 to Increase the Justice Fund Sheriff Budget Due to Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2025-23
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 2024-2025, and
WHEREAS, Boundary County has received reimbursement in the amount of $51,179.84 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 40,738.55 OT Hours
0008-00-0391-0018 0008-02-0410-0000 5,695.25 PERSI
0008-00-0391-0018 0008-02-0411-0000 3,116.50 Soc Sec
0008-00-0391-0018 0008-02-0416-0000 1,629.54 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 19th 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
Recording Instrument #299933
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Resolution 2025-24 to Amend County Personnel Policy Overtime Under the Fair Standard Labor Act. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-24
AMENDMENT TO BOUNDARY COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY 5.B.5- OVERTIME COMPENSATION UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT
WHEREAS, Boundary County, Idaho maintains a Personnel Policy Manual governing employee relations; and
WHEREAS, Policy No. 5.B.5 governs overtime compensation and compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); and
WHEREAS, Pol. No. 5.B.5 provides that all non-exempt employees receive additional cash compensation or comp time for any work performed in excess of forty (40) hours per one (1) week; and
WHEREAS, the FLSA provides that different rules addressing the accumulation of overtime are permissible for certain law enforcement personnel; and
WHEREAS, the Boundary County Sheriff has requested the implementation of said rules to facilitate more effective personnel management practices at the Boundary Couty Jail;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Boundary County, Idaho, that the following statement shall be included as Paragraph 2 of Pol. No. 5.B.5:
Different work period intervals for the calculation of overtime may be established by the Boundary County Sheriff for law enforcement personnel under his supervision pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 207(k).
ADOPTED as a Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Boundary County, Idaho, upon a majority vote, this 26th day of May, 2025
BOARD OF BOUNDARY COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
s/__________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
s/__________________________________
TIM BERTLING, Commissioner
s/_________________________________
LESTER PINKERTON, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/___________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk/Recorder
Boundary County
Recording Instrument #299934
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Professional Services Contract with Panhandle Area Council for SH 95 Commercial Access Project. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Professional Services Contract with Pam Brockus regarding the IDL Grant for Kat Kamp 24HFR1-Boundary. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Professional Services Contract with Pam Brockus regarding the IDL Grant for South Boundary Phase III. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
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.
Mr. Lamberty and Ms. Almond left the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Chief Lindsey entered the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to approve the meeting minutes from April 21, 2025. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Chief Lindsey stated that he didn’t have much to add from his report in April. They did have a couple calls during mud bug and have had 30 calls in the last couple days. He also stated that they have hired two additional part-time EMT’s to help get through the summer. Mr. Lindsey said they are fully staffed for all shifts.
Commissioners discussed the Urban Renewal District and the possibility of withdrawing the Ambulance Service District. Ms. Poston estimated it to be roughly $7,000. Ms. Poston also stated that the agreement with Boundary Volunteer Ambulance will be up this year so we need to keep that in mind.
Commissioner Bertling moved to proceed with withdrawing the Boundary County Ambulance Service
District from the URD. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
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.
The meeting with Chief Lindsey ended at 10:08 a.m. and he left the meeting.
Ms. Poston left the meeting at 10:10 a.m.
Commissioners visited with Mr. Newton regarding logging on USFS land and endangered species.
USFS District Ranger Heather Fuller entered the meeting at 10:30 a.m.
Ms. Fuller stated that she wanted to follow up with the MOA regarding Good Neighbor Authority so that it does not fall through the cracks. Ms. Fuller stated that Sarah will coordinate with IDL and update the agreement to move it forward. Commissioners and Ms. Fuller discussed projects that could fall within the agreement.
Chairman Robertson asked if there were questions from the USFS after their recent meeting. Ms. Fuller stated that there have been questions and stated that she thought it would really help to have a map for their discussions going forward. They can then see where they have been and discuss where to possibly go.
Commissioner Pinkerton stated that they are interested in finding a path to make this work. Ms. Fuller stated that she is happy to help set up the conversations to make it happen. She also stated that she would love to get a training module for logging in the community for youth. This would help with income streams for smaller projects.
Ms. Fuller asked if Commissioners were interested in a field trip to the Moyie Meadow Rd/Power line area that they were considering for a smaller project. Commissioners responded yes.
Chairman Robertson asked about what her day to day looks like and how her time is split between the two districts. Ms. Fuller responded that she is supposed to be in Sandpoint on Wednesday and Thursday each week, but those days fluctuate. She stated that she spends a great deal of time in meetings with external partners, phone calls, and training on executive orders.
Chairman Robertson asked about the washout on Ball Creek. Ms. Fuller stated that she was familiar with it and that they are not replacing the road after the washout. In return, they are considering opening Ham Creek but further discussions are needed.
Commissioner Bertling asked how the County would change if the Grizzly were delisted. Ms. Fuller responded that in the short term it would not be much different. There is a 5-year monitoring process to make sure they do not return to delisted. We also have one biologist for three districts so we lost a lot of history to move projects forward. It would be quite a few years before you see any change. Ms. Fuller also stated that they are due to update their CMP, but again due to being short staffed there were other priorities.
Chairman Robertson asked if a good portion of Katka’s logging would be flown off the mountain. Ms. Fuller responded yes, they are looking for a way to pay for that. So that sale will probably be a negative sale.
Chairman Robertson asked if they would do more burning this year. Ms. Fuller responded yes, but conditions have not been right. The burning they have done so far has been really dry.
Commissioner Bertling asked about recreational areas. Ms. Fuller responded that they only have 3 seasonal employees. Which is down from 21 previously, so it will be tough to keep recreation areas open. There may be closings or reduced services due to human health and safety.
The meeting with Ms. Fuller ended at 11:30 a.m. and she left the meeting.
Mr. Newton left the meeting at 11:33 a.m.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties until they recessed for lunch at 12:02 p.m.
Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session at 1:30 p.m. with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Road and Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:29 p.m. to give the Road & Bridge report. Mr. Barton stated that they have hauled rock to Lions Den, removed a tree from Plato, and hauled sand to several different staging areas in preparation for chipseal. The rest of the week they crushed rock and will continue that this week as well.
Commissioner Robertson asked them to look at the Deep Creek boat launch to see what work needs to be done. The dock work should be finished at the end of the week, so now would be a good time to address anything before it reopened to the public. Commissioner Robertson also asked them to look at the area by the Waterways building that is also in need of rock.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Independent Contractor Agreement for Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions for HFE-150 and CMS-2P Chipseal oil. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Barton stated that there was a preconstruction meeting for the Riverside project that he suggested a Commissioner should attend.
Commissioners provided a list of the USFS roads for grading and stated that the GNA agreement is in process. Commissioners asked them to start thinking about cost. It would be nice to tackle a couple miles of road to see the process.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 2:00 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Commissioner Robertson left the meeting at 2:05 p.m.
Personnel Director Pam Barton and U of I Educator Amy Robertson entered the meeting at 2:05 p.m.
Commissioner Pinkerton moved to appoint Commissioner Bertling as acting chair. Commissioner Bertling second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling stepped down as chair to move 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: Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”.
Ms. Robertson left the meeting at 2:30 p.m.
Chairman Robertson reentered the meeting at 2:32 p.m.
The executive session ended at 2:50 p.m. No action was taken.
Fair Board Administrator Jodi Stoddard and Jaycee Atkins entered the meeting at 2:55 p.m.
Ms. Stoddard stated that they have a number of buildings that need significant repairs. Prices continue to go up and they are getting further behind because of the rising costs. The Fair Board has addressed some of the shortage with sponsorships. Facility rentals have also more than doubled and they have added a beer and wine license but are unsure how much income that will bring in. They have also added a mobile shed/trailer for the beer and wine service that will be able to move around for different events.
Ms. Stoddard stated that they have asked for more than their usual 3% increase because the indoor arena needs a new roof and the FFA building needs new siding before fair. They also have a horse barn that needs new siding and a roof.
Commissioner Bertling asked about judges for the fair. Ms. Atkins explained that there is a judge for each department and it is getting harder to find judges. One specialized judge is coming from Illinois.
Commissioner Pinkerton asked about what is rentable at the fairgrounds. Ms. Atkins stated the Veterans Memorial Hall, Exhibit Hall, Valley Event Center, and outdoor arena are all rentable.
Lastly, Ms. Stoddard stated that she would be stepping back mid-June and Ms. Atkins would take over in the office.
The meeting ended with Ms. Stoddard and Ms. Atkins at 3:23 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties until 4:00 p.m. when the meeting adjourned for the day.
Tuesday, May 20, 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 held a department head/elected officials meeting. Those present were: Planning & Zoning Administrator Ben Jones, University of Idaho Extension Educator Amy Robertson, IT Director Matt Hodges, Sheriff Travis Stolley, Solid Waste Superintendent Richard Jenkins, Emergency Management Andrew O’Neel, Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith, Road & Bridge Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals, Coroner Chad Workman, Treasurer Jenny Economu, and Noxious Weed Superintendent Dave Wenk.
Commissioners went around the room for office updates from the various departments in attendance. The meeting ended at 9:27 a.m. and the elected officials/department heads left the meeting except for Ms. Robertson and Sheriff Stolley.
University of Idaho Extension Educator Sam DeGrey entered the meeting at 9:28 a.m.
Ms. Robertson and Mr. DeGrey updated Commissioners on the various programs being offered. All of the classes were well attended and had a waiting list. The meeting with Ms. Robertson and Mr. Degrey ended at 9:58 a.m. and they left the meeting.
Chairman 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 11:00 a.m. No action was taken.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk