***Monday, May 16, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

Commissioners gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.

Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown was present at the meetings off and on throughout the day.

9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball joined the meeting to give a departmental report. A written report was provided.

Chairman Dinning said Walter Merrifield called last week and he wants to buy his property back as it did not sell at the county’s tax deed auction. Mr. Merrifield’s offer it so put $1,000 down, pay $600 per month at an interest rate of 5.375%, and to pay all costs. The goal is to close the transaction May 31, 2016.

Commissioner Kirby moved to accept the offer from Walter Merrifield to put $1,000 down, pay $600 per month at an interest rate of 5.375%, to pay all costs associated with the transaction, and to close the transaction on May 31, 2016. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Dinning said he talked about a title company handling the closing, but Idaho Code specifically refers to a contract so he doesn’t know if the document can be a deed of trust or if it will be a contract. Chairman Dinning said he will look into that.

Mr. Kimball said grading continues when the weather is good. Road and Bridge crew worked on brushing roads and that will continue on the north side. The Copeland area and Porthill Loop are two areas included in brushing. Mr. Kimball said he met with a utility company on Blue Sky Road and wasn’t thrilled with the location of the utilities. It seems to be the rights-of-way are overburdened with utilities. Mr. Kimball said he thought this utility company could relocate their 50 pair phone line, but the utilities will be placed a little closer to the road than he prefers. Mr. Kimball said Road and Bridge got a lot done last week. Mr. Kimball spoke of cleaning up a downed tree that is hanging over the powerlines along Westside Road.

Mr. Kimball said Road and Bridge is working with Union Pacific Railroad on the crossing closures. Sandy Ridge Road is a problem as there is only one access. Mr. Kimball said Union Pacific said they would place planks down at night for cars to cross so on his way home he will check on that to see if they are travelable. George Shutes, Foreman for the State of Idaho Transportation Department will loan Road and Bridge the state’s reader board for the closure. Union Pacific won’t let Sandy Ridge Road residents in or out. Road and Bridge has advised everyone of the closure, such as media, emergency services, etc. Mr. Kimball said he cannot authorize parking anywhere so residents will have to work that out on their own. The other railroad closings coming up will be District Two Road, possibly on the ball field this time, followed by Blume Hill Road.

Mr. Kimball said he will meet with a bridge engineer from David Evans and Associates to get a concept drawing for what he thinks will work for the Myrtle Creek Bridge so he will see if there is available funding in order to reduce the cost of the bridge.

Road and Bridge crew continue with crushing rock. The new loader at the pit has scales so it weighs everything it picks up and monitors 1,700 entries. Last Thursday over 1,100 yards of rock were crushed in one shift. That is a big number, according to Mr. Kimball. This could mean more production for less cost.
9:20 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)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 Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”, and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 10:00 a.m. No action was taken.

The meeting with Mr. Kimball ended at 10:01 a.m.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Student Loan Public Service Forgiveness Program form. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

10:01 a.m., Boundary Volunteer Ambulance (BVA) Chief Paramedic/EMS Chief Jeff Lindsey, BVA Board member Nancy Russell, and BVA Medical Director Dr. Stu Willis joined the meeting. City of Bonners Ferry Mayor David Sims and City of Bonners Ferry Attorney Andrakay Pluid also joined the meeting.

10:02 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to recess as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners and convene as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

The Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board tended to Ambulance Service District matters.

10:32 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and reconvene as the Board of Boundary County Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Dr. Willis, Ms. Russell, Chief Lindsey, Mayor Sims, and Attorney Pluid left the meeting.

10:32 a.m., Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Facilitator Patty Perry, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Fish and Wildlife Department Director Sue Ireland, and Forest Service District Ranger Kevin Knauth joined the meeting to update Commissioners on Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative (KVRI) and Forest Service matters.

Mr. Knauth provided an update on the forest fire off Twenty Mile Road with an incident action plan and diagram of the fire. Chairman Dinning said one of the roads in the project plan talked about moving a gate, but he doesn’t know if this is the same road. Mr. Knauth said the Forest Service doesn’t see any reason to suspect arson and there had been recent lightning strikes one-quarter mile from where the fire is. Fire crews have been able to hold the fire below the road, which is key so it doesn’t get into unlogged units. The unit where the fire is consists of 30 acres and it is completely burned out now, and then the fire traveled another five or six miles outside of that area. The terrain is fairly steep and there are approximately 30 people on the fire in addition to all of the equipment. Water port-a-tanks and a hose down both flanks will be left in place just in case the fire jumps back to life, according to Mr. Knauth.

Mr. Knauth said there was another landing pile on fire at Kriest and he does know there had been no lightning strikes in that area. It took an excavator to break up the pile.

The Twenty Mile fire will transition to a Type 4 team so a few staff members will be able to return to their home units. This was a great pre-season exercise for other districts, fire departments, and local equipment operators.

Those present discussed the fact that locks on the gates on Twenty Mile Road had been broken.

Mr. Knauth spoke of other Forest Service projects and said the Deer Creek project continues to move along and it is slated for two sales. One sale to occur in fiscal year 2017 and the second sale in fiscal year 2018 with 10 million board feet out of both sales. The first sale is outside of the bear management unit (BMU) and the second sale is within. The Boulder Creek sale is still offered in fiscal year 2018. Then will be the Camp Nine/Dawson sale followed by the Trout/Ball sales in fiscal years 2019 and 2020.

Last week the KVRI Forestry Committee met with Forest Service staff to talk about the future and what areas are likely locations for years 2020 and 2021 with building in the 5 Year Action Plan. The Committee talked about different areas and feedback for future projects was received. This Friday the Committee will meet again to go over the 5 Year Action Plan with hopes to complete the guide. Ms. Perry said there is only one more meeting after this one.

Ms. Perry asked why the Deer Creek timber sale is broken down into multiple sales. Mr. Knauth said Jeff Lau makes those decisions and develops that schedule while working in concert with his own boss. Chairman Dinning asked for an estimate of volume off the Boulder sale. Mr. Knauth said it is showing 10 million board feet, but it is closer to 15 million board feet. Ms. Perry said we could have another 25 million board feet off of this district this year.

Ms. Perry provided an update on KVRI matters. Ms. Perry said at tonight’s KVRI meeting Bob Steed with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will talk about EDNA, which is when water samples are taken to determine the presence of a species of fish. Ms. Perry said the KVRI Board proposes to vote to move forward and she will use Commissioners’ vote for tonight’s meeting. US Army Corps of Engineers Fisheries Biologist Greg Hoffman will provide the most recent update on Libby Dam operations. Also to be discussed is the Forest Service’s five year plan so it will be a general discussion on the timeline of projects, etc.

Mr. Knauth said he hasn’t yet heard if there are any emergency funds to repair the Boulder Creek Road wash out or if this road is to be fixed, if that is the route the Forest Service is headed. Mr. Knauth said he already mentioned having this conversation with the regional office so it is already known the cost to fix this road is $500,000. If there are funds available, he could get that money sooner and then repay those dollars when emergency relief for federally owned roads (ERFO) comes in. If the Forest Service can use this road, it will keep the Boulder Creek project on its timeline. Mr. Knauth said he can also look into using Community Forest Landscape Restoration Project (CFLRP) dollars as they can be used to repair the road.

Chairman Dinning said there had once been a blow out on the road ahead of the Myrtle Creek fire and the county was actually contracted to fix it. Commissioners hired a subcontractor and the process went extremely quick, and he thinks he recalls it was done at a lesser cost. Commissioner Pinkerton asked about decommissioning funding. Ms. Perry said there is no decommission funding so instead there has been storage and CFLRP and she briefly explained the process. Commissioner Pinkerton asked about the road in relation to the fire on Twenty Mile Road. Ms. Perry said the Forest Service did not decommission that road and instead the road was restored. Chairman Dinning said for clarification that if a road is restored, the road prism is still intact, but you just can’t drive the road. Mr. Knauth said yes, but if there is a fire, emergency services can drive on it. The road is still considered not to be open.

Ms. Ireland presented Commissioners with information on the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho public sturgeon release on May 20, 2016. The quote of 3,000 sturgeon to be released was amended to 1,000. Ms. Ireland spoke of survival rates depending on the number of fish are released.

Commissioner Pinkerton asked Mr. Knauth a question pertaining to road gates in relation to the Sheriff’s Office. It was said the Sheriff’s Office doesn’t have keys and the locks have been changed.

The meeting with Ms. Perry, Ms. Ireland, and Mr. Knauth ended at 11:09 a.m.

11:09 a.m., Solid Waste Department Superintendent Claine Skeen and Assistant Superintendent Monica Tompke joined the meeting.

Mr. Skeen said the Parks and Recreation Board wants to take out a dead cottonwood tree from the fairgrounds as it is a hazard. Mr. Skeen said there is no fee for this scenario and Road and Bridge used to bring in brush from rights-of-way and it used to be burned, but there is another avenue for that now. Where does the landfill stand for material like this and will the Parks and Recreation Department be billed? Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Skeen how he thinks it should be handled. Mr. Skeen said a fee should be charged because the whole commercial aspect was earning more revenue from the wood pile. To accommodate for disposal of the wood, the Solid Waste Department budget would need to be raised. The cost would be $600 to $700 for the Parks and Recreation Department, which is not a large amount, but the Solid Waste Department has to pay to dispose of what the Parks and Recreation Department is hauling in. Chairman Dinning said he understands the Parks and Recreation Department is hiring a private contractor who can charge for that. Mr. Skeen said Roy Krohmer, who is in Parks and Recreation Department Maintenance, talked to him about tearing down the bleachers so he doesn’t know about that avenue as that is also county and not the public. Chairman Dinning asked if we charge the city for these types of matters and Mr. Skeen said no. Clerk Poston asked Mr. Skeen if it costs him to dispose of these items and Mr. Skeen said, yes. Commissioner Kirby spoke of other county departments contributing to the rate for the disposal. Mr. Skeen said the public can bring in 20 to 30 loads and there is no fee as it is included in their solid waste fee, but if a commercial business comes in, they will be charged. Chairman Dinning reiterated that the city is currently not being charged. Chairman Dinning said in this case it is technically a private contractor that will bring the tree in even though it is for a county entity. Mr. Skeen said if it is the Parks and Recreation Department that is bringing the tree in, there would be no charge as they are not a commercial business. Mr. Skeen said the last time this happened he provided the Parks and Recreation Department with a roll off container so it was county to county and no cost other than time and fuel for the Solid Waste Department. Mr. Skeen said the Parks and Recreation Department had not contacted him to help with the trees this time, but he was asked about being available when the bleachers are torn down. Mr. Skeen said there is one contractor who has a chipper, but another contractor was hired who doesn’t have a chipper so he is bringing the wood to the landfill. Chairman Dinning voiced concern over the appearance of giving an advantage to one contractor over another. Commissioners said they would chase down what the Parks and Recreation Department and the contractor agreed to.

Mr. Skeen reviewed fees, revenue, and carry forward with Commissioners and Clerk Poston, and said he still needs $60,000 for his budget without a fee increase. Mr. Skeen said he is looking into leasing a new excavator at approximately $30,000 per year with a five-year term and a possible buyback. The excavator would be used to excavate the hole at the landfill. Commissioners asked how many hours the excavator would be used and Mr. Skeen said approximately 1,000 hours per year. At the end of the five-year term the balance owing will be approximately $110,000, according to Mr. Skeen. Commissioners asked Mr. Skeen for some hard figures before making a decision.

Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Skeen if the revenue for this current budget year, less fees, is less than what he had budgeted. Mr. Skeen said he should hit that mark at approximately $110,000. Those present discussed the cost and revenue earned for recycling. Aluminum has increased a little at $.40 per pound.

Mr. Skeen said he called Ellery Howard with JUB Engineering last Friday and again this morning to check on the status of the updated landfill closure report and had to leave a message, but the report should be done soon.

Chairman Dinning asked what the lightest day of the week is for the Solid Waste Department should Commissioners close these services for one day. Mr. Skeen said Wednesday is the lightest day.

The meeting with Mr. Skeen and Ms. Tompke ended at 11:31 a.m.

11:31 a.m., Boundary Community Hospital CEO/CFO Craig Johnson and Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Elden Koon joined the meeting to provide Commissioners with an update on hospital matters.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve Certificates of Residency for C. Haworth, J. Young, N. Henslee, and A. Henslee. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Deed of County Property for Eric Vogel and Kelley Vogel for parcel #RP63N02E351400A that sold at the county tax deed auction held on May 9, 2016. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

11:32 a.m., Mr. Johnson said the hospital’s finances are slightly in the red after depreciation, but are okay pertaining to cash flow. The hospital is facing an issue in that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has implemented new rules on how to bill for the rural health clinic, but then CMS couldn’t accept the payments because their system didn’t work. Mr. Johnson said bad debt is still higher than it was last year. The hospital is recruiting for Dr. Schneider’s position and information on a new candidate has been received so that will be reviewed. A new Emergency Department physician has also been hired. Mr. Johnson said the health fair held last Saturday was a huge success and there were approximately 200 runners in the fun run. The next event is the golf tournament that is coming up on June 10th.

Chairman Dinning asked if Mr. Johnson wanted to change the meeting schedule with Commissioners to quarterly. Mr. Johnson asked Commissioners to check the Idaho Code statute as he thinks there is a requirement to meet on a monthly basis.

The meeting with Mr. Johnson and Mr. Koon ended at 11:39 a.m.

11:41 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)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 Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”, and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended at 12:05 p.m. No action was taken.
12:14 a.m., Commissioners amended the agenda in order to add a matter that is time sensitive.

County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull contacted Commissioners via telephone briefly to inform them that he approves of verbiage contained in a document Commissioners received last week that is to be filed for intervener status in the matter involving Fish and Wildlife Service and Alliance for the Wild Rockies. The telephone call with Attorney Hull ended.

Commissioner Kirby moved to allow Doney Crowley Law Firm to approve verbiage for intervener status and to approve the filing for intervener status in the matter involving the Department of Fish and Wildlife Service and Alliance for the Wild Rockies as it pertains to grizzly bear. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

12:18 p.m., There being no further business, Commissioners recessed until tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m.

May 17, 2016, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

Commissioners’ meeting with Michael Listman, representing the Chamber of Commerce was rescheduled to next Monday at 10:30 a.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties until the next meeting scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

9:30 a.m., Airport Board Chairman Jay Wages, Airport Board members Bob Blanford and Don Jordan, and Airport Manager Dave Parker joined the meeting to discuss engineering matters as it pertains to the airport.

Mr. Parker provided Commissioners with a status update on plans to have a new Master Plan drafted. There is a plan, but it is old and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) needs it to be updated. Mr. Parker mentioned the airport usually receives $150,000 annually and that can be used toward drafting this new plan. The cost for a new plan started out at $150,000, but has increased to $237,108, according to Mr. Parker. The airport receives $150,000 every year and the State of Idaho Division of Aeronautics provided an additional $25,000 for a total of $175,000. The County’s share of cost for the Master Plan is most likely 7%, which equates to approximately $17,000 and the State will match at 3%, which is approximately $7,000, according to Mr. Parker. The process has changed in that the state used to contribute throughout the process, but now they reimburse the county so it would be safe to plan on the county paying $10,000. Chairman Dinning asked why the county would provide the match and Mr. Parker said it is a FAA and State Department of Aeronautics reimbursable program. This would be more like a more traditional airport improvement that is done in increments, according to Mr. Parker. The FAA would reimburse 90% of the costs. The County ultimately needs to have a minimum of $24,000 on hand. Mr. Parker mentioned he should talk to Rick Donaldson at Robert Peccia and Associates (RPA), who is the engineer.

Mr. Wages said RPA can create the Master Plan and another engineering firm will do an independent fee estimate, which is to compare figures to make sure RPA’s figures are fair and equitable. The cost of this second engineering company’s review is $3,000 and that is also a reimbursable cost, according to Mr. Parker. Mr. Parker said this time of year it is hard to get an independent fee estimate, but the Coeur d’ Alene Airport gave him a referral for an engineering firm.

Mr. Parker spoke of more requirements the FAA is mandating such as surveying the area around the airport, which is good for any planning and zoning issues that come up as the county will have current height restriction information.

Mr. Parker said he just wanted to let Commissioners know that planning the new Master Plan needs to be done and inquired if Commissioners are okay with this. Chairman Dinning said the funds need to be in the budget and from a budgeting standpoint, it takes a full resolution to put funds back into the airport budget. Mr. Parker said he will need to talk to Clerk Poston about the budget. Mr. Parker said he needed Commissioners’ approval of the $3,000 expenditure for the immediate need, which is the independent fee estimate.

Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Parker if he has budgeted for land purchases in the upcoming budget. Mr. Parker said he thought the county’s share was $50,000, but the Master Plan will help dictate what direction this all goes.

Commissioners said they were in favor of hiring the engineering firm to do the independent fee estimate at the cost of $3,000.

Mr. Wages said an issue has come up, which is that the Bicknell property has trees intruding into the avigation air space, but some of the trees are in the system allowing them to be trimmed. Mr. Wages said the Bicknells have been spoken to a couple times, but they are not doing anything about the trees so the Airport Board doesn’t know what needs to be done to take care of this. The avigation easement states the county has the right to go in and trim the trees that have been identified. Mr. Parker said he may have to take a look at the lines and he added that approximately three-quarters of the trees are located within the avigation easement. The FAA has notified the airport that the trees need to be removed. Mr. Jordan said he doesn’t think updating the Master Plan would include a survey of the avigation easement. The hazard to the airport is that the approach is being modified so it can’t be used at night. Chairman Dinning said we need to determine where this avigation easement is and determine which trees are in the easement. Mr. Parker said he did have the trees trimmed in approximately year 2000. One-quarter of the trees that are not located in the avigation easement are growing fast. Mr. Parker said in the past he had gone up 25 feet and cut off the main stem of a tree and cleaned up the area, but now approximately 30 branches have grown out of that and they are now very tall. Mr. Parker said the Bicknells claim the trees provide shade for their house and he can understand that. Mr. Parker said having the trees trimmed would cost a lot of money. Chairman Dinning spoke of being a good neighbor. Chairman Dinning questioned if it would be another 10 to 15 years before the trees would need to be trimmed again due to a growth rate of approximately one foot per year. Chairman Dinning suggested Mr. Parker look at what the cost may be to trim the trees and then identify through RPA what is in the avigation easement. Mr. Parker said to trim the trees will require removing a cyclone fence so it doesn’t get damaged then putting it back up again.
Mr. Parker spoke of spill prevention control and counter measures for anyone that has a tank that is more than 123 gallons. These measures are a part of the Clean Water Act. In year 2011 it was mandated by the FAA that all fuel tanks have a plan for spill prevention. Boundary County’s airport has above ground tanks. Mr. Parker explained that the airport got a grant to dig up the old tanks and purchase two new above ground, double-walled tanks with leak protection, but he still has to comply with this plan. Mr. Parker explained that this plan involves more than just matters pertaining to the tanks and he gave the scenario of spillage occurring if someone walks away while filling a tank. The current insurance company charges $50 for their coverage, but they said they would no longer provide insurance after year 2017 unless the airport comes up with a new plan. The cost to develop a spill prevention control and counter measures plan is $4,850 and Mr. Parker said he is looking for Commissioners’ blessing to make that happen. Mr. Jordan said the plan has to be completed by February. Mr. Wages recommend working on the plan this summer. Mr. Parker said the airport does have a line item for engineering and this plan is something that would fall under that line item. Mr. Parker explained the plan doesn’t pertain to containment. It involves someone that shows up and provides maps of the airport and additional paperwork to include drainage plans. This person will look at the site and draw up all necessary matters that need to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. The plan should be in place until the EPA changes the rules or something changes at the airport. Chairman Dinning asked if the amount close to $5,000 for the spill prevention plan is reflected in the carry forward budget. Clerk Poston said there is $5,000 in the professional service line item, if funds haven’t been used.

It was said the expenditure of approximately $5,000 can come out of this budget year and everything else can kick in with the next budget. Mr. Parker said he is hoping when funds do come in that he can put that toward the Master Plan. Commissioner Kirby said he is in favor of moving forward. Commissioner Pinkerton said if the airport is going to spend $5,000 for the prevention plan, where is the money for RPA’s engineering independent fee estimate going to come from. Mr. Parker said he thinks he has unanticipated revenue. Commissioner Pinkerton said yes, for the fuel tank prevent plan. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners voiced approval of spending $5,000 for the gas tanks and $3,000 for the independent fee estimate. Mr. Parker said he would submit the reimbursement as soon as possible.

Clerk Poston asked about the All Weather Observation System (AWOS) cost of $7,200. Clerk Poston said this was all that was allocated in the budget. What will have to happen is if the airport is going to dip into the reserve, Commissioners will have to adopt a resolution, because there is no more budget. Mr. Parker said when funds come back from the state, it will go to the airport, but will be in the carry forward. Chairman Dinning asked about reimbursement from the state. Clerk Poston said there is still one invoice that needs to be approved by Gary Gates at the FAA as well as another reimbursement to come from the state.

The meeting with Mr. Wages, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Jordan ended at 10:11 a.m.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve the Certificates of Residency for: H. Sims, J. Figueroa and K. Colson. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Rural Economic Professional Outreach Program Memorandum of Understanding. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

10:15 a.m., Panhandle Health District Director Lora Whalen and Fiscal Officer Jim Felton joined meeting to discuss the upcoming Panhandle Health District budget request. Ms. Whalen reviewed the list of diseases reported. Ms. Whalen discussed tick borne paralysis, which is caused by the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick and the Dog Tick. Ms. Whalen said there have been two newly diagnosed cases of AIDS, but the report doesn’t specify which county or counties are involved. HIV is becoming more manageable and people who have HIV are living longer, according to Ms. Whalen. The medications are a bit easier on a person’s system than they had been in the past.

Ms. Whalen said the Health District is working with other areas such as home health care, restaurant inspections, food safety, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic and she added that there had been $154,000 to $155,000 in WIC vouchers this year. Boundary County is growing a bit and that has been noticed in the growing WIC clinic services provided. Ms. Whalen informed Commissioners that the Panhandle Health District appreciates Commissioner Kirby’s presence on the Panhandle Health District Board of Directors.

Ms. Whalen said the last assessment done for primary needs is primary focused on health, obesity, and diseases associated with obesity. Ms. Whalen spoke of diabetes needs as well as the crisis center working with suicide prevention network. Ms. Whalen briefly talked about being able to talk to suicidal people and getting them to help.

Chairman Dinning said he was fortunate to be referred to a diabetic educator and he added that this service is what is lacking in this community. However this educator fits into the Panhandle Health District, it would be wonderful and it is a service that can be covered by insurance. Ms. Whalen said Panhandle Health District now has a staff member who is a certified nutritionist and dietician. This service is centered around pre-diabetes management and education for those who have diabetes. Chairman Dinning said there needs to be more specialized or specific help in these smaller communities as a lot of people cannot travel to see someone for these services. Chairman Dinning added that there needs to be some sort of mechanism for doctors to utilize or refer patients to these services.

Ms. Whalen said the Panhandle Health District is requesting a 2% increase from Boundary County this year and she explained one of the reasons for an increase is the 27th pay period, which will cost the Health District approximately $246,000. Coupled with the additional pay period is the increase of 9.3% in health insurance costs due to Obamacare, and the new building payment of $113,000 per year when before the Health District did not have a payment for the Sandpoint building. Ms. Whalen said the Health District is not part of the state or county, but is a hybrid serving both entities so they had to build their own building. Chairman Dinning asked if the Health District could use Panhandle Area Council (PAC) for funding the building. Mr. Fenton said yes, but through PAC the Health District could not be tax exempt. Mr. Fenton said the Health District finances the St. Maries Health District building through PAC.

Mr. Fenton reviewed Panhandle Health District budget information with those present. The current fiscal year 2016 budget is $12,856,300 and that includes financing for the new Sandpoint facility, which is not a part of typical operations. The budget is also shown with and without the cost of the Sandpoint Office, which is a cost of $1,700,000. Mr. Fenton mentioned expenditures that have increased and having a personnel increase due to the benefits of the 27th pay period. Mr. Fenton reviewed revenues, donations, licenses and fees, health services, and what percent of increase they are proposed to receive. Also included in Mr. Fenton’s review are revenue sources, expenditure summary, explanation of the trustee payments in that it is for emergency preparedness, personnel expenses, a cost increase for annual health insurance, a summary of personnel costs, operating expenditures, capital expenditures, and a summary of Panhandle Health District office buildings in Sandpoint, Hayden, Bonners Ferry, Kellogg, and St. Maries.

Chairman Dinning asked about the value of the prior Sandpoint building that is to be sold. Ms. Whalen said this building is listed and valued at $500,000, but she doesn’t think it will sell for that much. Ms. Whalen said she expects to receive offers in the $380,000 range. Mr. Fenton and Ms. Whalen mentioned taking the proceeds from the sale and putting them toward the new building’s loan balance.

Those present reviewed revenue, state funding and funding formula, county funding, population and valuation changes per county, a seven year history of county funding, state and county match information, state return on county funds, per capita funding, and full time employee statistics.

Chairman Dinning said the bottom line is that Boundary County will have an increase of $1,444 in their yearly amount to the Panhandle Health District for a total of $56,430.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve a 2% increase in the county’s funding for the Panhandle Health District and to designate Commissioner Walt Kirby as Boundary County’s representative at the upcoming Panhandle Health District budget hearing. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

The meeting with Ms. Whalen and Mr. Fenton ended at 10:53 a.m.

Road and Bridge Department Superintendent Clint Kimball joined the meeting at 10:56 a.m.

10:56 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code #74-206(1)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 Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”, and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. The executive session ended 11:47 a.m. No action was taken.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

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DAN R. DINNING, Chairman

ATTEST:

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GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk