| County Commission minutes, March 19-20 |
| March 29, 2012 |
|
Commissioner Dinning moved
to amend the agenda to add signing the Frontier
Communications Contact for high speed internet
service for the Park and Recreation Department
Board at
Mr. Gutshall said Meadow
Creek near Feist Creek was flowing across the
county road. Mr. Gutshall said he is going to
take another look at it, but he thought it
hadn’t looked too bad. A part of Kriest Creek
has also flowed outside of its banks. Mr.
Gutshall disclosed various areas affected by mud
and slides due to heavy precipitation to
include: Chairman Smith spoke of his
conversation with Boundary County Emergency
Services Incident Commander Bob Graham about the
heavy precipitation and
Mr. Gutshall discussed the damage assessment workshop he attended last Friday. Those present discussed the construction of roads and how it works with moisture. The meeting with Mr.
Gutshall ended at Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the documents from Frontier Communications to provide internet service for the Park and Recreation Department. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of March 5 & 6, 2012 and March 12 & 13, 2012. Commissioner Dinning second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Dinning moved to adopt Resolution #2012-13. A resolution amending the Boundary County Personnel Policy as it pertains to Rule 10: Sick Leave Bank. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution #2012-13 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2012
–13
AMENDING THE
WHEREAS, Boundary County is authorized to
establish personnel policy pursuant to the
authority conferred by Article XII, Section 2 of
the constitution of the State of Idaho and Title
31, Chapter 8, Idaho Code, and
WHEREAS, Boundary County is a political
subdivision of the State of Idaho, operating
under the provisions and the laws of the State
of Idaho, and as such is authorized and
empowered to make decisions regarding its
employee’s benefits, and
WHEREAS, THE Board of Boundary County
Commissioners did, on
WHEREAS, the Board of Boundary County
Commissioners find it in the best interest of
the employees of
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board
of Boundary County Commissioners that it is in
the best interest of the County to amend the
Boundary County Personnel Policy as follows:
AMEND RULE 10: SICK LEAVE BANK by
adding the following provision:
18.
Any full-time
Boundary County employee who is retiring at the
age of 62 or older or under the PERSI Rule of 80
or 90, may donate up to forty (40) hours of
their unused sick leave hours to the Sick Leave
Bank upon their retirement.
It will be the responsibility of the
employee to notify the Payroll Clerk of their
intent to donate hours to the Sick Leave Bank.
PASSED
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
s/______________________________
Ronald R. Smith, Chairman
s/______________________________
Dan R. Dinning, Commissioner
s/______________________________
Walt Kirby, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/__________________________
Glenda Poston,
Clerk
BY:
Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Recorded as resolution #253472 Commissioner Dinning moved to adopt Resolution #2012-14. A resolution increasing Current Expense General Budget due to receipt of unanticipated federal forest fund distribution (Secure Rural Schools) Title III funds. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2012-14
A RESOLUTION INCREASING CURRENT EXPENSE GENERAL
BUDGET
DUE TO RECEIPT OF UNANTICIPATED
(SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS) TITLE III FUNDS
WHEREAS, the Board of County
Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of
Idaho, did establish an operating budget for
fiscal year 2011-2012 for the Current Expense
General Budget; and
WHEREAS, $15,160.70 in unanticipated
funds has been received from federal forest
funds distributions for Title III
for use in county projects, some of which are
associated with federal lands, for search,
rescue and emergency services, fire prevention
and planning under the fire wise communities
program, and development of community wildfire
protection plans; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase
the Current Expense General Budget and establish
Revenue Account Number 01-00-0329-0002, SRS
Funds, and Expense Account Number 01-18-727, SRS
Title II Funds, in the amount of $15,160.70; and
WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue
does not affect the tax levy for
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made,
seconded and unanimously carried,
IT IS RESOLVED that the increase to the
Current Expense General Budget and establishment
of Revenue Account Number 01-00-0329-0002, SRS
Funds, and Expense Account Number 01-18-727, SRS
Title II Funds, in the amount of $15,160.70 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 March, 2012
BOARD OF
s/______________________________
RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman
s/_______________________________
DAN R. DINNING, Commissioner
s/_______________________________
WALT KIRBY, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/_________________________________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk of the Board of
Recorded as
instrument #253453
Commissioner Dinning moved to go out for the 45 day public comment period as it pertains to $15,160.70 in Secure Rural Schools Title III Funds. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. 9:30 a.m., Gary Leonard, Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) Insurance Agent Darrell Kerby and City of Bonners Ferry Administrator Stephen Boorman joined the meeting to discuss details for Mr. Leonard’s July 4th fireworks event. Chairman Smith said in the
past Skip O’Fallon took care of the fireworks
and the county signed on as providing liability
insurance. Chairman Smith mentioned that Mr.
Leonard will have to contact the Park and
Recreation Board and Mr. Leonard said he has
spoken to both the Park and Recreation Board and
the Fair Board. Chairman Smith questioned if the
county’s role is to sign on for liability
insurance again. Mr. Boorman said historically
the Kiwanis, through Skip O’Fallon, put on the
fireworks display, but two years ago the Kiwanis
dissolved so the City and County agreed to
sponsor the event by providing the liability
insurance. Mr. O’Fallon raised donations, etc.,
and everything went fine, according to Mr.
Boorman. Mr. Boorman said the approval of
providing liability was done by motion. Mr.
Leonard said he will do the leg work, Mr.
O’Fallon will get the fireworks and Allen
Hamilton will shoot them off. It was said this
will be done under Mr. O’Fallon’s license. Mr.
Boorman said a memorandum of understanding (MOU)
could be drafted if the fire districts want to
be involved. Mr. Kerby said his concern is when
the organizer has volunteers doing this sort of
function Mr. Leonard mentioned possible volunteers and vendors such as food vendors typically have their own coverage. Clerk Glenda Poston said she thinks the area involved is considered to be Parks and Recreation with the exception of parking, and there aren’t events going on except in the ball field. Mr. Leonard said Parks and Recreation will provide hamburgers and hot dogs. Mr. Kerby suggested thinking in terms of liability coverage. The only time ICRMP insures anything is when the event falls under government and ICRMP will define authorized volunteers. Mr. Kerby said if food vendors are brought in and Park and Recreation will do that, the County needs to know for coverage purposes. Mr. Kerby said as an insurance agent he needs clarity. Mr. Leonard said he will
keep it simple and have Park and Recreation
provide food. The City of Mr. Leonard asked what the
policy is for an outside vendor and was told
there is a one million dollar liability
certificate a vendor can get through an
insurance company. Mr. Leonard explained that
Paradise Valley Fire District is not a part of
putting on this event and it is just himself,
Mr. O’Fallon, Mr. Hamilton, the City of Clerk Poston said the reasons the fair requests insurance is for either amusement rides or food. Mr. Leonard said he has talked with owners of the Bread Basket Bakery and they are going to sell apple pies and Commissioner Dinning said they would need proof of liability. Clerk Poston said the Bread Basket Bakery would already have their own insurance coverage as they’re a business, and all they need to do is supply Mr. Leonard with a certificate of insurance. Commissioner Dinning said the volunteers need to be authorized and Mr. Boorman mentioned a resolution or a memorandum of understanding could be drafted to authorize volunteers. Chairman Smith questioned if all it takes is a motion to approve volunteers. Mr. Leonard asked if he could get flexibility for volunteers as there are volunteers needed for crowd control, clean up, parking, etc. Mr. Boorman said when it gets to three or four weeks prior to the event, Mr. Leonard could provide a list of the additional volunteers and their functions. Mr. Kerby said the City of The meeting with Mr. Kerby,
Mr. Leonard and Mr. Boorman ended at Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting. Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the subordination agreement for indigent application #2010-41. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Dinning moved to approve the certificate for additional treatment for indigent application #2012-8. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Dinning moved to approve the request for follow up application for indigent application #2012-7. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Dinning moved to approve indigent application #2012-14 as per the Clerk’s recommendation. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting with Deputy
Clerk Ryals ended at Commissioners tended to administrative duties. 10:30 a.m., Attorney Brian Woods, City of Bonners Ferry Assistant Administrator David Sims, City of Bonners Ferry Council Member Tom Mayo, County Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen, and Ron Frederickson and Kevin Frederickson with Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry Garbage met with Commissioners to discuss recycling. Attorney Woods explained
that he was here on behalf of Mr. Frederickson
to clarify a couple of things. Attorney Woods
spoke of educating those present as to the
relationship Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry
Garbage has with the City of Attorney Woods explained
this discussion is something he is doing on
behalf of Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry Garbage
not the City of Attorney Woods said garbage includes anything that is not recyclable and right now Mr. Frederickson has the exclusive right. Mr. Frederickson has been talking about implementing a recycling system in the city, according to Mr. Frederickson. One proposal is to charge $1.50 on a collection point basis to continue the city’s program that has been in place or to implement a curbside recycling program at a cost to the city residents of $3.25. Mr. Frederickson said this program might look favorable to the city council. Attorney Woods provided
those present with a City of Attorney Woods said city
residents pay $100 per residence towards solid
waste fees and explained that these are not
exact figures as they are rounded from figures
that are close. Mr. Skeen said city residents
pay $93.48 for solid waste services and
previously paid $103.80. Residents outside city
limits pay $111.48. Attorney Woods said using a
round number the county receives $100,000 in
annual solid waste fees from the city. Mr.
Frederickson is proposing a reduction of $18 per
city household per year, which is a reduction
from $93.48 to $75.48 per year and overall a
yearly reduction in county revenue of $18,000.
If a recycling program is put in place within
the city, the county will see an annual increase
of $12,480 in additional revenues due to the
city curbside recycling program.
The next
expense is approximately $5,500 and that allows
a charge of $3.25 per city household for
curbside recycling service, which is an annual
cost of $39 to city residents. This information
is close to collection point information that
Mr. Frederickson submitted to the City of Attorney Woods reiterated for clarification that he was here on behalf of Ron Frederickson and Kevin Frederickson. Mr. Frederickson had a meeting with the Bonners Ferry City Council and a lot of issues came up with an unmanned collection system and Mr. Frederickson said the unmanned collection system could be problematic in the long term. Mr. Frederickson said he has preference for curbside service and the city has preference to keep costs to residents low and the county could bridge the gap. Chairman Smith said the figure of $12,480 as presented is due to curbside services because as the recyclable materials arrive at the landfill, they can be sold and that becomes Mr. Skeen’s revenue. With the reductions presented in the information there would be a net loss to the county in the amount of $5,500. Chairman Smith reviewed the proposal presented to Commissioners in that city residents could pay a reduced annual amount of $21 as opposed to $39. Attorney Woods said this formula lets the city sell this concept more easily to its constituents. Chairman Smith said as a city resident, curbside service will cost him $39 per year, which will be a savings of $18. Attorney Woods said annually the cost to a city resident is $39, but the option is a monthly billing of $3.25 so annually the cost to a city resident would be $21 rather than $39. Mr. Sims said the city held an administrative hearing last week and discussion was on $1.50 for pickup points and $4.50 for curbside service. Mr. Sims said city council has not made a decision as to which way they would like to go. The city has not seen these figures yet, but they would love to see reduction, according to Mr. Sims. This is not a proposal from the city, but the council will discuss this again tomorrow, according Mr. Sims. City Council Member Tom Mayo said he would not feel comfortable speaking on behalf of the city. The city has gotten yard waste out of the landfill and citizens have done quite a bit to help. Mr. Mayo said speaking for himself he would like to put in curbside recycling. Mr. Mayo said it is so tough to raise rates right now so any proposed reduction would be encouraged. Attorney Woods said how much revenue the county will receive from the city from curbside recycling is not known yet so it may be more of a loss or not a loss at all as maybe more people will participate. Until the city has a curbside program in place there really aren’t solid numbers. Chairman Smith said the biggest thing is that recyclables are not placed into the hole. Mr. Skeen said for clarification he is now receiving $15 per ton of recyclable materials, but at one time the landfill was receiving $60 for baled cardboard. Mr. Skeen said the issue is not the revenue, but looking at what material is getting put into the hole. This is looking at the scenario of a reduction in dollars to put this program in affect, according to Mr. Skeen. Mr. Skeen questioned if there will be more reductions if there is a time frame to put this system into effect. Mr. Mayo asked if there was
an increase, would it be put onto the city as
they are the ones holding a contract.
Commissioner Dinning said the county’s recycling
program costs a lot and county residents are
already subsidizing. Commissioner Dinning said
we’re all concerned about longevity as a whole.
What is proposed is in essence, county residents
subsidizing the curbside service and this is a
service the city residents have chosen to have
for themselves and it is not something Chairman Smith said the difference is because the city resident has to have their garbage picked up and that is why he understands it is different. Mr. Sims said he thinks the city residents pay their share of landfill operations, but not the outside operations. Mr. Mayo said he has a sense the residents did not originally choose to have garbage picked up as opposed to it being the city’s choice. Chairman Smith said he would even like to see reducing solid waste fees for county residents. Chairman Smith said better figures are needed since we are not receiving $60 per ton as originally thought, but are actually receiving $15 per ton so he would like to see the numbers worked out and see what the city is going to decide. The bottom line is how much the difference would be on an annual basis taking into account the funds the county receives to run the Solid Waste Department today versus if the changes are made. Attorney Woods said the county will receive $15,000 less to reduce the amount of recyclables going into the hole by two-thirds of a ton per day. Attorney Woods said the question is if the county would agree to a deal that will cost them $15,000 to reduce tonnage of recyclables by two-thirds of a ton. Mr. Frederickson asked when the figures the county received had changed. Mr. Skeen said the figures changed when the county switched to the commingle recycle program after the first of this year. Revenue had been $60 per ton with the baled cardboard material. Mr. Skeen said the figure of $15 is market price and could always change in the next day. The amount of tonnage no longer going into the hole was quoted and it was mentioned this was at the time the city’s sites had not been set up yet. Mr. Frederickson informed those present that he is picking up more recycling from businesses. Chairman Smith said he doesn’t know how Commissioners could say yes or no to Mr. Frederickson’s proposal at this point. Mr. Sims said he imagines figures will vary in every budget cycle. Attorney Woods said this issue is intimately connected to economic development as people moving to this area will come to the county first and what they look for will include garbage service and what is currently in place. It was said while this is a city choice it is a huge benefit to the county to make that choice. Someone will always come to the city to decide where to relocate whether it is inside the city limits or out in the county. If someone comes into a city and it looks bad, it will be a factor in the decision of where someone moves to. Commissioner Dinning said if we’re referring to looks, the city could mandate that lawns be green so all examples could be used towards economic development. This issue is looking at what is fair when going down the road, according to Commissioner Dinning. Commissioner Kirby said he pays annually for county services and at one point he had Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry Garbage pick up his garbage. Commissioner Kirby said he is a single household such as Chairman Smith, and he is in the county whereas Chairman Smith resides in the city, but we need to figure out some way to pay the same. An average household generates the same amount of garbage that goes into the hole, but Commissioner Kirby said he chooses to haul his garbage to the landfill and citizens of the county share in this equally. Mr. Frederickson said there is a good benefit for Mr. Skeen when he arrives at the landfill and puts trash in the back corner where it is supposed to go as opposed to Commissioner Kirby, for example, who has to put his garbage in dumpsters and then Solid Waste employees have to use equipment to move the garbage to where Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry Garbage puts it directly. There is handling involved, according to Mr. Frederickson. Chairman Smith spoke of how many garbage bins he personally puts out for pick up each time. Commissioners were given information that there are approximately 988 city residents and at $18 per resident that equates to a loss to the county of $17,784. Commissioner Dinning explained his recycle and garbage schedule and how much will be spent in gas. Commissioner Dinning said the other issue that has not been discussed is that some residents make a 20 mile trip to dumpster bins so there are all these variables out there. There is something equitable for everyone and it is a matter of having discussions, according to Commissioner Dinning. Attorney Woods said that is right and Frederickson’s is here to say this is how the city can help the County. The City of Chairman Smith said his big concern is if we don’t do something a lot of recyclables will end up in the hole. At one time, the amount going into the hole came close to 20 tons per day, which is the limit. Commissioner Dinning said the most recent figure to close is 1.8 million dollars for landfill closure costs. Commissioner Kirby said it seems if the city doesn’t want to pick up the recyclables, it would benefit the county to do so. Mr. Sims said a long term curbside program is the best solution. Commissioner Dinning mentioned the scenario for spending all of this money for only a small percent of people who may have responded to a recycling survey put out by the city. Mr. Mayo spoke of places where garbage service is mandated and the resident’s bill is reduced for the recycling efforts. The curbside pick up schedule within the city would be a weekly garbage pick up and recyclables would be picked up every other week. Commissioner Dinning asked if garbage pick up could stretch every two weeks and Mr. Frederickson said he had thought about that and the consensus was if the material was garbage, it needs to be picked up more often. Chairman Smith briefly mentioned comments about his neighbor being charged $10 for carry out garbage service instead of curbside. Mr. Skeen said the Solid Waste Department has a recycle program at Safeway within city limits and he questioned if that is a breach of contract in regards to the city’s contract with Frederickson’s Bonners Ferry Garbage. Attorney Woods said it is a breach of contract, but Mr. Frederickson has let it go on. Attorney Woods said this is about someone’s livelihood and a government entity competing against private enterprise and it shouldn’t continue in the way of the Safeway site. Mr. Frederickson should assert his rights, but in order to be fair, Mr. Frederickson said it would be okay for the county to have the Safeway recycle site for awhile. Mr. Sims asked if there would be reason to continue with the Safeway site if the city starts a program. Mr. Skeen said Safeway’s load has been reduced by half with the addition of the city’s recycle sites. Chairman Smith said there
are other containers within city limits in
addition to the Safeway site. Commissioner
Dinning said the City of The meeting with Ron
Frederickson, Kevin Frederickson, Attorney
Woods, Mr. Mayo, Mr. Skeen, and Mr. Sims ended
at Commissioners recessed for
lunch at 2:00 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Ms. Giesbrecht said the
Agency is meeting with Boundary County
Commissioners to discuss food accessibility in
the county as well as volunteerism. Ms.
Giesbrecht said she was impressed with the
partnerships in this county as far as
coordination to include the grocery stores and
Community Action Partnership (CAP) who is active
in getting coordination to happen. Ms. Giesbrecht mentioned continuing with food drives and community events to highlight the issue of need. Those present discussed how to get food and aid to the elderly who are less able to get out in the community, whether it be delivered meals or transportation. It was said that more single people and elderly are served than families. The objective is to try to get food to seniors, especially the seniors that are homebound. People that are homebound have more challenges as to what they can eat and can often be limited in their ability to prepare meals. County resident Mike Oehler
joined the meeting at Ms. Giesbrecht said the Area Agency on Aging is open to any types of suggestions for education to create awareness, even for a senior’s neighbor’s awareness. Ms. Giesbrecht said volunteerism was discussed at a meeting she attended and it takes an army to run food banks and things of that nature and that is a need that has been seen. Ms. Woodward said she is the county’s representative to the Area Agency on Aging and she heard from the people at the food bank and senior center that they like to use volunteers when they can. The issue associated with volunteers includes long term commitment as well as matching skills with needs and that is a communitywide issue in a lot of ways. Commissioner Dinning said
when you look around at what is being
volunteered to the 4-H Program and schools, Chairman Smith said the Friends of the Restorium have 280 members and at the meetings he has attended, 30 people will be there so the other 250 can also contribute financially to be able to help. Ms. Giesbrecht said the Friends of the Restorium has a focus and creating a focus, whatever that may be, will draw volunteers in. If the focus is too broad, it is harder to bring people in. Commissioner Dinning said word of mouth has caused the members of the Friends of the Restorium to grow. Commissioner Kirby said one of members of the Friends of the Restorium holds membership drives. Commissioner Kirby spoke of community support. Ms. Giesbrecht said the Area Agency on Aging will be visible at the Boundary County Health Fair to bring this topic back up and to continue coordinating with senior center and food banks. Commissioner Dinning asked if the Area Agency on Aging has considered having a health fair at the county fair. Clerk Glenda Poston joined
the meeting at Commissioners updated Clerk Poston on the discussion of a health fair and the possibility of the Area Agency on Aging having a booth at the county fair. Clerk Poston said the Restorium, AARP and possibly even hospice have had booths at the fair. Clerk Poston gave Fair Board contact information to Ms. Giesbrecht. Clerk Poston left the
meeting at The meeting with members of
the Area Agency on Aging ended at Mr. Oehler informed
Commissioners the reason he stopped by to talk
with Commissioners is to see if there was any
county interest in the 45 acres he owns. Mr.
Oehler said there will be a point when he is
going to park out this property. Mr. Oehler
explained what structures are on the property
and that one is a prototype shelter that is
almost complete. Mr. Oehler said he has been
working on a house that is 1,800 square feet and
if he ever gets it done, there will also be a 70
foot green house with a pond. Mr. Oehler said
the work he has done has been all experimental
and while most of his structures have been
successful, some have also been failures. Mr.
Oehler said he has written books on the
successful structures. Mr. Oehler said he had
thought about approaching Commissioners about
his property to include five houses that people
could see as alternative housing. Mr. Oehler
said the house he has been working on is big,
and the revenue from his book is what has been
supporting him since the 1970’s. Building of the
large home is to show middle class Mr. Oehler said he isn’t quite ready, but he was thinking about deeding his land to the county to leave as a park and he would insist, unless there was a truly exceptional reason such as tree falling on house, that this property could not be logged. This might cost the county money for upkeep, but there will be houses with electricity and running water on the land and the ridge house will have solar energy and maybe wind energy. Mr. Oehler described the television shows such as HGTV and shows from other countries that have come out to film segments about his property. Mr. Oehler said if the
county had accepted the offer of his will, he
would have a young couple who were organically
inclined farm the land. This would be organic
farming, with the exception of controlling
noxious weeds. Mr. Oehler said as a host he has
opened his land to the WOOFER Program, which is
the Worldwide Organization of Organic Farms and
he accepts WOOFER volunteers. Volunteers are
provided with shelter, showers and houses with
electricity. Mr. Oehler mentioned to
Commissioners if you get a couple interested in
living that life, you could get them to watch
the property for free. Mr. Oehler explained how
land had been deeded to a county in Commissioners suggested this conversation be brought up again as it is something the county’s attorney will have to take a look at. Mr. Oehler said he would draft something and include his conditions such as keeping the big timber, maintenance of the larger house and utilize the land as organically as possible with the exception of chemical control of noxious weeds. Chairman Smith said “big timber” is subjective so he suggested listing circumference and height of the trees this would affect. The meeting with Mr. Oehler
ended at There being no further
business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at
8:15 a.m., Commissioners participated in an Idaho State Industrial Commission training session held in the Extension Office and hosted by Risk Management Consultant Jack Kirsch. Present were: Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Noxious Weeds Superintendent Duke Guthrie, Assessor Dave Ryals, Courthouse Maintenance Jerry Kothe, Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen, Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee, Planning and Zoning Administrator Mike Weland, Prosecutor Jack Douglas, Treasurer Jenny Fessler, Clerk Glenda Poston, Chief Deputy Clerk Tracie Isaac, Road and Bridge Office Manager Renee Nelson, Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall, Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown, Extension Educator Carol Hampton and Chief Deputy Sheriff Rich Stephens. The training session ended
at Commissioners recessed for
lunch at 1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioners contacted Attorney Phil Robinson via telephone. Commissioner Dinning moved
to go into executive session under Idaho Code
#67-2345(1)f, to communicate with legal counsel
for the public agency to discuss the legal
ramifications of and legal options for pending
litigation, or controversies not yet being
litigated but imminently likely to be litigated.
Commissioner Kirby second. Commissioners voted
as follows: Chairman Smith “yes”, Commissioner
Dinning “yes”, and Commissioner Kirby “yes”.
Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Award of 2012 Federal Fund Cost Share Funds in the amount of $9,705 for the Selkirk CWMA for the 2012 cost share year. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Award of 2012 State General Fund Cost Share Funds in the amount of $32,295 for the Selkirk CWMA for the 2012 cost share year. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Participants in the conference call reviewed house bills as listed in the Idaho Association of Counties Legislative Bulletin #8 dated March 16, 2012. The conference call ended at 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m., Clerk Poston, Assessor Ryals, Treasurer Fessler, and Commissioners briefly discussed budget matters. There being no further business, the meeting recessed until the public hearing held at 6:00 p.m., for the purpose of making a decision whether or not to form an ambulance taxing district. 6:00 p.m., Commissioners held a public hearing in the Boundary County Courtroom for the purpose of making a decision on whether or not to form an ambulance taxing district. Present were: Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Dan Dinning, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Planning and Zoning Administrator Mike Weland, Jeff Avery, Tia Avery, Alva Baker, Peach Baker, Connie DeCoe-Munier, Glendle Munier, Liz Sloot, Herman Sloot, Steve Tanner, Ray Harris, Rick Dodd, Terry Capurso, Carl Stout, Pam Stout, John Cranor, Jane Kirby, Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Attorney Brian Woods, Roger Fraser, Martin Silvestri, Sid Brumbach, Marie Lozier, Megan Kuhnhausen, Earl Matthews, Walter Burrow, Kevin Merrifield, Laurel Avery, Becki Minden, John Minden, Tony Evans, Jacob Bushnell, Lon Merrifield, Erica Denning, Ken Baker, Alan Hamilton, and Vicky Hamilton. The public hearing was recorded. Chairman Smith opened the hearing and explained the procedures of the prior public hearing held on February 28, 2012, and informed those present that public comment was no longer accepted during this portion of the hearing. Chairman Smith said written comments had been received and reviewed by Commissioners. Chairman Smith said he had
been in Chairman Smith said if the county is going to hire three paramedics as was proposed, that amount of money is extremely high already. Chairman Smith briefly mentioned the Boundary Volunteer Ambulance board members and said he couldn’t recall if they had given any input at the last public hearing. Chairman Smith said his recommendation is to form an ambulance taxing district, but to not attach any funding such as not setting a levy at this point. Chairman Smith said that he consulted with the State Tax Commission and was informed there was no penalty for this method. It’s possible that Commissioners could wait a total of fifteen months before setting a levy. Chairman Smith said he wants to look into the levy amount quoted of .02% and also look at continuing with the Boundary Volunteer Ambulance contract and then see where the county would like to go. If time is taken to come up with a solution of a .02% levy, Commissioners can do that, but Commissioners could also dismantle the district within 15 months if it is determined that is most appropriate. Chairman Smith said a lot
of the written comments Commissioners received
were in favor of the district, but not for the
amount of money being requested by Boundary
Volunteer Ambulance. Chairman Smith said he
would like to speak with Commissioner Dinning said Chairman Smith echoed a lot of his sentiments about needing to know more. Commissioner Dinning said he is not a medical person so Commissioners should go down the road of developing a plan. A majority of the comments were not opposed to improvements, but stated the need to improve on accountability. Commissioner Dinning said he is not in favor of forming a district at this time as a plan is needed as well as the need to understand exactly what the county will receive for services. The Commissioners need to be frugal. Approving a district at this point is like going to a bank, signing the papers and letting the bank fill in the blanks. A lot of the same concerns were had by Commissioners and Commissioner Dinning said he would like to consider hiring a group of people who can provide some guidance. Commissioner Dinning said he appreciates the involvement and the comments. All have agreed to improve services, but not at a cost of $342,000. Commissioner Kirby said it is clear that Boundary Volunteer takes care of its citizens to the best of their ability. Commissioners are responsible for spending the taxpayers’ dollars. Commissioner Kirby said Chairman Smith understands what needs to be done. Commissioner Kirby said Commissioner Dinning is more conservative than Chairman Smith and himself. Commissioner Kirby said he is inclined to agree with Chairman Smith as the only way to provide ambulance service is to form a district, but this needs to be approached gently as it involves taxpayers’ dollars. Commissioners need to know what funding is available and to figure something out. Commissioner Kirby reiterated that he agrees with Chairman Smith and forming a district is the first step that will be followed by locating the appropriate information to make a district function. Chairman Smith said he understands where Commissioner Dinning is coming from, but getting locked into a levy is not the case. Commissioners need to do something, but we need to have time to learn what needs to be done and to find out what options are available. Chairman Smith said he doesn’t want people in fear of big taxes coming as no levy will be set. If it is determined the best option is to dismantle the district, than that’s what Commissioners can do and that has been verified by the county attorney. Commissioners could also continue working with Boundary Volunteer Ambulance. Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the formation of an ambulance taxing district without the benefit of setting a levy. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Smith “yes”, Commissioner Dinning “no”, and Commissioner Kirby “yes”. Motion passed. The hearing to form an ambulance taxing district ended at 6:30 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. /s/ RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman ATTEST: /s/ GLENDA POSTON, Clerk By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk |