County commission minutes, May 7

May 24, 2012

***Monday, May 07, 2012, Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

 

9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall joined the meeting to give the departmental report. Mr. Gutshall did not present a written report. Mr. Gutshall said all of the graders are out working today as well as the patching crew and the Durapatcher.

 

Mr. Gutshall said in regards to the State/Local Agreement for the Deep Creek Bridge #4 Project, he received a telephone call from the finance officer at the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and out of two projects: Moyie Highway and the Stimulus Project, there had been enough additional funding to cover the County’s portion of project costs. There had been a fairly good balance left from prior projects, according to Mr. Gutshall. Mr. Gutshall said he had the County write letters wherein he complained about the failed test strip on the Meadow Creek, Paving Phase II Project, and at the time ITD felt chip sealing would take care of the problem and had agreed there was approximately $33,000 left over after the project was done. Mr. Gutshall said the extra funds were determined to belong to the County and he has the letter stating that.

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to add to today’s agenda at 11:30 a.m., signing a comment letter for the Lincoln County, Montana Commissioners in regards to the Draft Forest Management Plan for the Kootenai National Forest as it is a time sensitive matter. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting at 9:10 a.m.

 

Mr. Gutshall spoke of Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding and the fact that reauthorization of these funds has not been decided. Mr. Gutshall said he has the ability to budget on funding that is known, Mr. Gutshall said his budget was $1,700,000 and now it is down to $1,448,000. Mr. Gutshall said for this October he is projecting $1,300,000 as he doesn’t see a lot of cash carry forward. Mr. Gutshall said he receives $230,000 per quarter in Highway User Funds so $690,000 is what that amounts to. Mr. Gutshall said if he were to budget using cash on hand as of next October, that is $1,300,000 plus $690,000 so that is right at approximately $2,000,000.

 

Mr. Gutshall said cash on hand is marked on his budget and doesn’t go below $1,100,000. As forest monies come in, it goes into a certain account as do Highway User Funds so he doesn’t understand a mention of $750,000. Clerk Poston said that was money not being used in his budget as there were no projects for that money. Chairman Smith said the budget should be based on what information is known.

 

It was said that some funding will come from timber such as a couple hundred thousand dollars, and Chairman Smith questioned if SRS is not renewed, is a couple hundred thousand dollars the automatic figure to expect. Mr. Gutshall said he needs to show projected revenue as the four Highway User projects. Mr. Gutshall said he will most likely turn in a reduced budget.

Commissioner Dinning questioned why spending every bit of cash in the Road and Bridge budget if there’s a chance SRS is not reauthorized, and he questioned what Mr. Gutshall could do in this next budget to preserve as much cash as possible. Commissioner Dinning asked Mr. Gutshall to provide information on what could be provided by his department if a reduced budget is submitted. Mr. Gutshall questioned if he submitted a smaller budget and had to consider layoffs, what would happen if SRS was re-instated. Clerk Poston said if SRS is reauthorized, a resolution could be drafted as unanticipated revenue.

 

Mr. Gutshall questioned splitting his budget in half or keeping his budget request the same as in previous years. Mr. Gutshall said he doesn’t want to lay off employees so he could submit a budget that is a bit hard on materials, etc.

 

Chairman Smith said Road and Bridge has received approximately 1.1 million dollars so that is looking at an approximate $800,000 cut to his budget if SRS funding is not reauthorized.

 

The meeting with Mr. Gutshall and Clerk Poston ended at 9:30 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to adopt Resolution #2012-29. A resolution to increase Current Expense Emergency Management Budget due to receipt of unanticipated funds. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution #2012-29 reads as follows:

RESOLUTION 2012-29

 

INCREASE CURRENT EXPENSE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BUDGET

DUE TO RECEIPT OF UNANTICIPATED FUNDS

 

               WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of Idaho, did establish an operating budget for the Current Expense Emergency Management Fund for fiscal year 2011-2012, and

 

               WHEREAS, Kootenai County has reimbursed Boundary County $2,159.80 for four portable PA systems and $592.00 for four 2.5 gallon liquid containers out of North Idaho Citizen Corp. grant funds; and

 

               WHEREAS, Bison Transport has reimbursed Boundary County $350.00 for expenses related to a diesel fuel spill on the North Hill; and

              

               WHEREAS, the Current Expense Emergency Management Fund for fiscal year 2011-2012 is in need of this additional revenue; and

 

               WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue does not affect the tax levy for Boundary County; and

 

               WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase the Current Expense Fund Revenue Account Number 01-00-324-07 in the amount of $2,751.80 and Revenue Account Number 01-00-391-80 in the amount of $350.00 and the Current Expense Emergency Management Expense Account Number 01-11-803-00, Capital - Equipment, in the amount of $2,751.80 and Expense Account Number 01-11-475-00, Vehicles – Repairs, in the amount of $350.00; and

 

NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,

 

               IT IS RESOLVED that the increase to the Current Expense Fund Revenue Account Number 01-00-324-07 in the amount of $2,751.80 and Revenue Account Number 01-00-391-80 in the amount of $350.00 and the Current Expense Emergency Management Expense Account Number 01-11-803-00, Capital - Equipment, in the amount of $2,751.80 and Expense Account Number 01-11-475-00, Vehicles - Repairs, in the amount of $350.00 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 7th day of May, 2012

                                                                                          COUNTY OF BOUNDARY            

                                                                           BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                                          s/________________________________

                                                                           RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman

                                                                                          s/_________________________________

                                                                                          DAN R. DINNING, Commissioner

                                                                                          s/_________________________________

                                                                                          WALT KIRBY, Commissioner

ATTEST:

s/__________________________________________________________

GLENDA POSTON, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners

Recorded as instrument #253968

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to adopt Resolution #2012-30. A resolution appointing assistant planning and zoning administrators; providing for volunteer status; providing for reimbursement of costs, providing for insurance coverage status; and providing for the effective date of this resolution. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution #2012-30 reads as follows:

 

 RESOLUTION NO. 30

BOUNDARY COUNTY, IDAHO

 

TITLE:  A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS OF BOUNDARY COUNTY, IDAHO;

APPOINTING ASSISTANT PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATORS; PROVIDING FOR VOLUNTEER STATUS; PROVIDING FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS; PROVIDING FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE STATUS;  AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS:         Boundary County, Idaho, a political subdivision of the State of Idaho, is governed by the Board of County Commissioners;  and,

 

WHEREAS:         The Board, in compliance with Title 67 of Idaho Code, and the specific provisions of the Local Land Use Planning Act (LLUPA) has appointed a Planning and Zoning Commission and has appointed a Planning and Zoning Administrator to provide compliance with State Code and with the provisions of the County Ordinances and Resolutions concerning land use issues; and,

 

WHEREAS:         The Planning and Zoning Administrator, for medical reasons, is unable to perform the routine and ongoing duties and functions of his office; and;

 

WHEREAS:         Dan Studer and Matt Cossalman, Co-Chairpersons of the Planning and Zoning Commission, are intimately aware of the provisions of the Ordinances and Resolutions, and the procedures and processes, concerning land use issues in Boundary County; and,

WHEREAS:         Dan Studer and Matt Cossalman have volunteered to perform the routine and ongoing duties and functions required of the Planning and Zoning Administrator and to provide for an orderly, prompt, and efficient processing of applications, requests, inquiries, and other pending matters for that office.

 

NOW, THEREORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:  The Board of County Commissioners of Boundary County, Idaho, do hereby appoint Dan Studer and Matt Cossalman as Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrators for Boundary County, Idaho.  This appointment shall be indefinite and continuing in its duration.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:  The Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrators are and shall be deemed volunteers, and not employees of Boundary County.  They shall not be paid a salary or other income, but shall be reimbursed for any and all costs and expense incurred. 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:  The Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrators shall have all the authority and powers of the Planning and Zoning Administrator conferred or provided in any Ordinance and/or Resolution of Boundary County concerning land use planning issues and the operation and administration of that office. 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:  The Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrators shall be provided errors, omissions, and negligence insurance to the extent provided to persons in such office or capacity by ICRMP, the insurance carrier for Boundary County, and shall be further provided defense, coverage, and indemnification by Boundary County for any claim, loss, demand, or legal action commenced against either of them arising from the performance of these duties

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:  This Resolution shall be in full force and effect upon its adoption by the Board of County Commissioners of Boundary County, Idaho, in a regular meeting of the Board, and upon the execution and attestation of the same.

 

ADOPTED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BOUNDARY COUNTY, IDAHO on the 7th day of May, 2012.

              

                                                                           s/__________________________________

                                                                           RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman

                                                                           s/__________________________________

                                                                           DAN R. DINNING, Commissioner

                                                                           s/__________________________________

                                                                           WALT KIRBY, Commissioner

ATTEST:

s/__________________________________________________

MICHELLE ROHRWASSER, Deputy Clerk

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Recorded as instrument #253969

 

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.    

 

Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting at 9:45 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to reappoint Bill Hayes as Director from Boundary County to the District #1 Animal Damage Control Board. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to reappoint Bob Blanford to the Boundary County Airport Board with a term to expire February 2015. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

10:00 a.m., Commissioner Dinning moved to go into executive session under Idaho Code #67-2345(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 Smith “yes”, Commissioner Dinning “yes”, and Commissioner Kirby “yes”. Motion passed unanimously. 10:12 a.m., Commissioner Dinning moved to go out of executive session. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Clerk Poston left the meeting at 10:14 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of April 23 & 24, 2012. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.  

 

11:00 a.m., Gary Leonard joined the meeting to update Commissioners on the progress of establishing a fire works display for the fourth of July. Mr. Leonard mentioned the plan to work with the City of Bonners Ferry Chief of Police on the parade.

 

Mr. Leonard said he has spoken to the Sheriff’s Posse about assisting with this event, Sandy Schnepf with the Fair Board about use of Fair Board facilities and he is working closely with Skip O’Fallon about the fire works. Mr. Leonard said he hopes to have a firefighter’s challenge and possibly a relay race, but he is encountering problems.

 

Mr. Leonard and Commissioners discussed contacting Darrell Kerby about insurance coverage. The food vendors are Bread Basket Bakery and Parks and Recreation can provide hot dogs.

 

Mr. Leonard said he is working on a fundraiser with the Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Association for Mike Weland. Commissioner Kirby suggested contacting the Shriner’s for popcorn sales. Mr. Leonard suggested having the Shriner’s in the parade.

 

Mr. Leonard spoke of the Fourth of July event again and said he is thinking about inviting candidates who are willing to participate. Both Harvest Foods and Pro-X have contributed $1,000. Mr. Leonard said his goal is to reach $5,000. Commissioner Dinning provided Mr. Leonard with suggestions of who to contact for donations and Mr. Leonard provided his website address for information.

 

Mr. Leonard left the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to continue the meeting with Lincoln County Commissioners until 12:30 p.m. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

 11:30 a.m., Commissioners recessed for lunch.

 

12:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

 

12:30 p.m., Lincoln County, Montana Commissioner Ron Downey joined the meeting. Commissioner Downey had provided Commissioners with information on the Kootenai National Forest Management Plan and requested that Commissioners submit a letter. Commissioner Dinning said he has read the information.

 

Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the Chairman to sign a comment letter in regards to the Kootenai National Forest Management Plan in concurrence with the letter submitted by Lincoln County, Montana, Commissioners. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Downey said Research Biologist Kate Kendall has been in Lincoln County and has instituted an office for her Grizzly Bear DNA study. The crew involved in the study started Monday and there are 66 people hired throughout the end of September. Lincoln County had to guarantee $600,000 so they’re still looking for funding. Six months from January there should be an answer as to the number of bears. The crew is setting up 1,079 rub sites and expects a lot of black bear. Commissioner Downey said he thinks Ms. Kendall will be surprised and that people are seeing a lot more bears. Ms. Kendall said the increase in bears is fast when the populations start to spread out, according to Commissioner Downey. It’s felt there will be huntable levels in a very short time.

 

Chairman Smith spoke of hearing that one to two grizzly bears were killed in Creston, British Columbia as they were causing problems with farm animals. Those present discussed the bears in the Yellowstone area being meat eaters and more aggressive than the local bears.

 

The meeting with Commissioner Downey ended at 12:45 p.m.    

 

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

 

1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Smith, Commissioner Kirby and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner Dinning was out of the office tending to personal matters.

 

1:30 p.m., Panhandle Health District Director Lora Whalen and Fiscal Director Jim Fenton joined the meeting to discuss the District’s budget. Clerk Glenda Poston also joined the meeting.

 

Ms. Whalen discussed the County’s health ranking and explained the ranking process. This ranking is done state by state and it takes into consideration health factors, outcomes and behaviors. Counties in each state are ranked against each other. In looking at morbidity, mortality and low birth rates, Boundary County came out well in those outcomes, but in health behaviors such as smoking, drinking and being overweight, Boundary County’s rating wasn’t so good.

 

Also in the Panhandle Health District presentation was information on clients served to include Women Infant and Children (WIC) dollars in each community. In Boundary County the Panhandle Health District saw a total of $3,641 relating to WIC clients and $154,000 worth of vouchers for food items were redeemed. Ms. Whalen spoke of breast cancer diagnoses and said if someone has a suspicious lesion, they could get into the Medicaid Program, which saves Catastrophic Health Care Cost (CAT) Fund.

 

Ms. Whalen spoke of reportable diseases by county to include Chlamydia, Hepatitis C and Pertussis. Ms. Whalen said Hepatitis C is transferred via blood and there is a higher rate of this disease in Boundary County. There are no cases of Pertussis in Boundary County. There is starting to be a resurgence of diseases that are preventable.

 

Ms. Whalen said there are a lot of cases involving lead in Shoshone County. Four children had elevated levels and she described checking out the homes. Most of the cases involving lead are in miners. The fifth highest disease in the five northern counties is a parasite that is fecally-orally transmitted so that is an education issue. 

 

Clerk Poston questioned food service workers training and noticed that Boundary County didn’t have anything listed. Ms. Whalen said there are now online training classes offered.

 

Those present discussed Institutional Control Permits (ICP). These permits are when you dig a permit is issued so soil is handled so it won’t spread lead.

 

Mr. Fenton reviewed Panhandle Health District budget information. Mr. Fenton said the Health District will request a 3% increase and explained the increase is in part due to the District’s health insurance increasing by $559,000 based on the holiday premium they had for the last two years that has been taken away. Mr. Fenton said small raises will be offered to certain Health District employees as merit increases.

 

Chairman Smith spoke of a cost of living increase (COLA) and not a merit increase. Ms. Whalen said a merit increase is when the employer gives a raise to an employee who is achieving. Ms. Whalen discussed issues with losing nurses and spoke of pay raises for them. Chairman Smith said out of the approximate 105 employees at the county, none of them are making what they should be making. Chairman Smith said the County loses Sheriff’s deputies to other entities for that reason and that is why he would like to consider a 3% COLA across the board.

 

Ms. Whalen said she appreciates Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall’s help in the paving project at the Bonners Ferry Panhandle Health District Office. The cost to pave this parking lot will be approximately $30,000 and the County will provide in-kind work.

 

Chairman Smith discussed the proposed Moyie Springs monitored collection site. The garbage at the landfill had been close to reaching the tonnage per day limit, but the amount has been reduced due to recycling efforts. Chairman Smith spoke of the possibility of mining what materials are already in the landfill in the future.

 

Mr. Fenton spoke of revenue assumptions, contract increases and licenses and fees.

 

Commissioner Dan Dinning joined the meeting.

 

Mr. Fenton said the State appropriation is increasing for the first time in several years. The request to the County will be a 3% increase. Mr. Fenton said the Health District does not have any money coming out of reserves this new budget year as the State and County funding and fees and contracts are not supported by reserves and new positions are supported by contract dollars.

 

There is a 5.7% increase in the salary dollars contract and that is a result of new positions. Commissioner Dinning questioned salaries due to increased fees and he said this is not necessarily a salary increase of 2.8% across the board. Mr. Fenton said no.

 

Mr. Fenton said the Health District’s health insurance had a large increase this year. This fiscal year and last fiscal year the Health District had a state holiday premium, but that has gone away. The premiums increase to the full amount this next year by 21%.

 

Clerk Poston questioned the ability to build up a reserve again. Ms. Whalen said the Health District does not have to pay insurance for the veterans who have insurance elsewhere. For these employees the Health District still had to pay and that is how the reserve could have been built up.

 

Ms. Whalen said there is speculation that the clinical side of things will have more demand as people will seek treatment from their doctor. Chairman Smith said he chairs the GEM Plan Board and has an upcoming meeting to discuss what insurance increases have to happen. Chairman Smith spoke of matters pertaining to the GEM Plan.

 

Commissioner Dinning asked in taking out the Health District’s insurance holiday, what kind of increase did they see in health care. Mr. Fenton said there will be an increase of 1% this year for Blue Cross of Idaho and the employee’s share will also increase. For the employee, spouse and children the premium will increase $18 per month so for a family the cost of insurance is over $100 per month. Mr. Fenton said he did not have the exact number.

 

Mr. Fenton briefly discussed decreasing communication costs.

 

The Health District shows $63,000 for capital expenditures to include the Sandpoint office location as painting, carpeting and furniture is needed for this building. Vehicles are also in the budget as is a lawn tractor and plow for side walks.                

 

A large part of principal cost is the payment on the Health District Office in Hayden. This is a lease, but technically it is a purchase. There are 18 years left to go on the lease.

 

Mr. Fenton reviewed a pie chart showing that state and county matching dollars are close. The state appropriation for this year shows an increase of 3.5%. Mr. Fenton said if there was a County increase of 3% with everything else being the same, the Health District would’ve seen $16,000 in state appropriations. Funding from the County is important to the Panhandle Health District.

 

The 3% increase from Boundary County equates to $1,512. Of the total amount agreed upon by the five northern counties, Kootenai County picks up a majority at 60%. Mr. Fenton spoke of per capita funding and adjusting for inflation. The next fiscal year shows proposed per capita at $5.50 for the County and $5.15 from state.

 

The meeting with Ms. Whalen, Mr. Fenton and Clerk Poston ended at 2:25 p.m.

 

There being no further business for the remainder of the day or for Tuesday, May 8, 2012, the meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                            /s/

                                                            RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

 

/s/

GLENDA POSTON, Clerk

By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk