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County commission minutes, May 28-29
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June 26, 2012 |
***Monday, May 28, 2012, Commissioners did not
meet due to the Memorial Day Holiday.
***Tuesday, May 29, 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., Commissioners discussed the status of
ambulance service for Boundary County. Present
were: Chairman Smith, Commissioner Dinning,
Commissioner Kirby, Deputy Clerk Michelle
Rohrwasser, City of Bonners Ferry Administrator
Stephen Boorman, Sonny Munier, Connie
DeCoe-Munier, Bonner County Emergency Medical
Services (EMS) Director Rob Wakeley, South
Boundary Fire District Chief/BVA EMT Tony
Rohrwasser, Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Chief
Ken Baker, City of Bonners Ferry Assistant
Administrator David Sims, County resident Pat
Bennett, County Treasurer Jenny Fessler, and
County Attorney Phil Robinson participated via
telephone. The meeting was recorded.
Commissioner Dinning moved to approve the 2012
Exempt Property List as presented by the
Assessor. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion
passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning said he had contacted
Director Rob Wakeley of Bonner County EMS who
offered assistance to Boundary County if a
resolution with Boundary Volunteer Ambulance (BVA)
is not reached and he asked him some straight
forward questions. What came out of that
conversation was a sincere interest by Bonner
County EMS to help. Discussions also took place
about Bonner County EMS providing ambulance
service on an emergency basis and what that
entails. Bonner County EMS would need to work
with Boundary County’s volunteers. Commissioner
Dinning said the estimated cost for one
ambulance unit and personnel member from Bonner
County EMS was approximately $550. Mr. Wakeley
said the cost would be approximately $550 per
day for a single ambulance unit and one crew
member. Mr. Wakeley said Boundary County would
have to provide volunteers or a second crew
member. Commissioner Dinning said housing for
the Bonner County EMS crew member would have to
be provided as well and the local volunteers
would need to kick in. Mr. Wakeley said to
double the cost of $550 for a full crew working
24/7.
Chairman Smith asked for clarification when Mr.
Wakeley discussed furnishing personnel is he
referring to an EMT. Mr. Wakeley said he’s
referring to a licensed emergency responder and
that would be an EMT. Mr. Wakeley said the
County could have just a driver of the ambulance
unit that is not a licensed EMT, but it is not a
good idea.
Commissioner Dinning said in his calculation of
a potential solution for the short term was to
obtain another ambulance unit. Commissioner
Dinning said he doesn’t know what it would take
to create a document between the County and
Bonner County EMS, but he understands that Mr.
Wakeley would be in charge of the emergencies in
this County if an agreement was reached. Mr.
Wakeley said he would have to modify the Bonner
County EMS license through the State to include
Boundary County on a temporary basis. Mr.
Wakeley said the service in Boundary County
would operate under the Bonner County EMS
license and medical direction. Any volunteers
working with Bonner County EMS during that short
term would have to sign on under Bonner County
EMS. Commissioner Dinning said the County’s
existing volunteers should already meet the
State qualifications if they are already
serving. Mr. Wakeley said these volunteers would
also have to meet the qualifications under his
medical director, which entails studying the
protocols and taking a test and that should not
be too difficult.
Commissioner Dinning said there was also
discussion that it is possible Bonner County EMS
may have an extra ambulance that could be
surplused and donated to Boundary County. Mr.
Wakeley said Bonner County EMS donated their
last ambulance unit a couple of years ago to
this County and they will have another one to
surplus this fall.
Commissioner Dinning said he met with members of
the Boundary County Fire Chief’s Association
last week and told them that whatever happens,
the County needs their support to move forward.
Commissioner Dinning said he didn’t receive a
negative response and however the situation goes
forward he’s hoping Commissioners have the fire
chiefs’ support whether it is working with BVA
or Bonner County EMS.
Mr. Wakeley said he wanted to reiterate Bonner
County’s willingness to come to Boundary
County’s aid on an emergency temporary basis if
there is no ambulance service. Bonner County
Commissioners have made it very clear Bonner
County EMS has no desire to permanently take
over the service. Mr. Wakeley said Bonner County
had found themselves in a similar circumstance
seven years ago.
County resident Marty Silvestri joined the
meeting.
Mr. Wakeley provided a background of Bonner
County’s history involving ambulance service
issues. Bonner County had single, individual
provider entities providing emergency medical
provider services and over time this became less
and less viable financially. Mr. Wakeley
explained funding sources such as ambulance
service providers billing patients when
providing transports to the hospital and holding
fundraisers, which had worked well for years.
But as reimbursement rates decreased for
Medicare, Medicaid and even private insurance
and fewer people carried medical insurance, it
became more difficult to fund these services
without a tax subsidy. Blue Sky Paramedics had
stated they couldn’t survive on the billings and
they needed a subsidy or they would have to
leave and the result was that Blue Sky left
Bonner County, according to Mr. Wakeley. Bonner
County was left with no ambulance service and
had to scramble to figure out how they were
going to provide this service. There were
private non-profit ambulance services outside of
the Sandpoint core area, but there were no
services within the area. Today Bonner County
has an ambulance district with a lead agency,
which is Bonner County EMS and they report to
Commissioners. Mr. Wakeley said the important
part to this is in his system there are nine
fire departments that are involved directly with
EMS response in Bonner County. There are two
non-profit ambulance providers involved in the
service and a for-profit ambulance service that
are involved. Mr. Wakeley said there are all
flavors of service involved in Bonner County’s
system to include: fire based EMS, third service
EMS such as Bonner County EMS, private
non-profit and private for profit services. The
first five or so years was a constant fight
amongst various providers and everyone wanted to
be in charge, according to Mr. Wakeley. Over
time there became a sense of cooperation and all
entities work well together. It is that idea and
that spirit of cooperation between private
ambulance services and fire departments that Mr.
Wakeley said he is hoping Boundary County sees
the potential for. Mr. Wakeley said BVA is a
great private service and from what he hears,
there are several fire departments that have a
very enthusiastic volunteer base. Mr. Wakeley
said his personal opinion is that this is an
untapped resource in the community for EMS. If
the fire departments are willing to work
together, Boundary County has the pieces for a
really great system.
Mr. Wakeley said what he said about reductions
in insurance is true and in order for Boundary
County to achieve long term the level of service
the taxpayers deserve, Boundary County
eventually will have to reimburse more through
the government in the form of a levy and he
reiterated that was his personal opinion. Mr.
Wakeley said he wasn’t around when the levy had
been established in Bonner County, but
Commissioners had established the levy. Mr.
Wakeley said he hears there are still a lot of
hard feelings that this taxation did not go to
vote. Mr. Wakeley said again it is just his
personal opinion, but if it were him he would
consider putting this matter in front of the
people for a vote such as a referendum. Mr.
Wakeley said whatever structure such as BVA
alone or a combination of ambulance service and
fire departments, which again is his personal
opinion as the best idea, there is time for the
people in this system to educate the voters on
why the money is needed.
Mr. Wakeley said the cost to taxpayers in Bonner
County equates to $30 per taxpayer and that is
the maximum levy amount. That is not a lot of
money for the service people receive. Mr.
Wakeley said there are opportunities for higher
and higher levels of service for Boundary
County’s community from what he hears from Mr.
Baker. There are measures taken now that weren’t
around 20 years ago that make a difference in
saving lives if there is proper training,
equipment and resources.
Mr. Wakeley said Bonner County EMS is very
excited about the Life Flight helicopter service
moving to the community and they have been
highly utilized by his company. Life Flight had
stated they are willing to be dispatched to
Boundary County based on dispatch information
and Mr. Wakeley explained a situation involving
a call to Noxon, Montana with Life Flight
responding.
Bonner County EMS does receive inter-facility
transfers from this area, according to Mr.
Wakeley.
Chairman Smith said when Mr. Wakeley mentioned
it takes fire department’s involvement would
their involvement be as EMT’s or EMS personnel.
Mr. Wakeley said the level of service requiring
the least level of training is an emergency
medical responder (EMR) and many of Bonner
County’s fire departments have personnel at that
level. Mr. Wakeley said there are some fire
departments that have an ambulance and conduct
transports for Bonner County EMS. Schweitzer
Fire has a contract with Bonner County EMS to
provide basic life support (BLS) services and
Sagle Fire Department has a contract to provide
intermediate life support (ILS) ambulance
service. Mr. Wakeley listed many fire
departments in his system that operate as first
responders. These fire departments don’t have
ambulances, but they can respond and attend to
patients as first responders before the
ambulance arrives on scene.
Chairman Smith reiterated for clarity that it
will cost each taxpayer in Bonner County $30 per
year.
Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting at 9:20
a.m.
Commissioner Dinning asked Mr. Wakeley if the
fire departments he listed were associations or
districts. Mr. Wakeley said some departments are
city fire departments and the rest are
districts. Commissioner Dinning said Boundary
County has a few fire departments that are
associations.
Commissioner Dinning said whatever system is put
in place he wants it so the County is not in
this situation with a provider again such as
getting two or three years down the road and a
service provider says they’re not getting enough
money. Mr. Wakeley said Bonner County has a
website with a page for Bonner County EMS that
lists their strategic plan and contingency plans
for if individual agencies within the system
fail to also include Bonner County EMS. One of
the other agencies would become the lead agency
and assume the responsibility of subcontracting,
supplies and keeping the budget if Bonner County
EMS failed. Commissioner Dinning said there is a
benefit to having more than one provider. Mr.
Wakeley said that is very important to Bonner
County as they do not want to be in the position
they were in seven years ago.
Attorney Robinson asked who would provide
dispatch services if Boundary County and Bonner
County EMS moved forward. Mr. Wakeley said
Boundary County would still be responsible for
dispatching as that wouldn’t change on Boundary
County’s side. Just the agency that is
dispatched would change and Bonner County would
have to adapt to that.
Attorney Robinson said Commissioner Dinning met
with some if not all of the fire district and
fire association senior personnel. It was asked
when a list of qualified volunteers is compiled,
how will Boundary County coordinate that
information with Bonner County? Mr. Wakeley said
the parties would just have to sit down and work
on that. Attorney Robinson said his experience
with Boundary County is that the volunteers
truly wish to help and he wanted to be clear on
working on coordination. Mr. Wakeley said
coordinating with fire departments is more a
part of a long term solution, but there are
certainly things fire departments could do in
the short term should that become necessary. Mr.
Wakeley said for a long term solution it would
involve ways to provide training and to have
people licensed at least as a first responder in
the fire departments so they can start
participating in the calls.
Mr. Wakeley said the County will also have to
consider funds and how they would be distributed
to fire districts for the incremental costs they
incur when providing EMS services and that is
where the levy comes into play. Bonner County
EMS collects the EMS tax and the fire districts
should not have to use fire district funds when
providing EMS service so they are reimbursed for
all of the incremental costs associated with EMS
services provided. Mr. Wakeley said EMS taxes
are for EMS services and fire district funding
is for fire districts.
Chairman Smith said a Bonner County EMS
personnel would be based in Boundary County with
an ambulance unit. Mr. Wakeley reiterated this
would be a temporary emergency situation should
Boundary County find themselves without EMS
service. Mr. Wakeley said as the closest EMS
service he feels it is Bonner County EMS’s
obligation to provide that service to Boundary
County. This service cannot be provided for free
as it will cost $550 to include paying his
personnel overtime. This cost will double for a
full crew. Chairman Smith said the ambulance
driver could be an EMT and there would be two
other EMT’s.
Chairman Smith asked about billing and Mr.
Wakeley said he and Attorney Robinson have
talked about that and are working on a draft.
Bonner County EMS would have to collect the
billings and would deduct the direct expenses
used on calls. Whatever funds are remaining
would have the amount of $550 deducted.
Mr. Rohrwasser said when talking about personnel
the current system in place, and only speaking
for South Boundary Fire, is that when a medical
call comes in two personnel are dispatched who
are not EMT’s, but they are qualified drivers so
that situation is usually taken care of. Mr.
Wakeley said it is up to Commissioners, but he
recommends two qualified EMT’s. Mr. Wakeley said
the one problem with this is Bonner County is
only providing one ambulance so if two calls
come in, the ambulance can’t be two places at
once unlike the current system that has multiple
ambulance units. Commissioner Dinning said the
County is looking at an emergency situation.
Commissioner Dinning asked if Boundary County
had two incidents occur, would there be the
ability to take advantage of Bonner County’s
departments at the north end. Mr. Wakeley said
those units come out of Sandpoint so since
Boundary County participates in a five county
mutual aid agreement that has been in place for
years Boundary County can always call for mutual
aid. Mr. Wakeley said in doing that it could
still take 30 to 40 minutes for Bonner County
EMS to arrive from Sandpoint to Bonners Ferry
while running code. There is also the helicopter
to consider as they have a very short response
time and have been available close to 90% of the
time, according to Mr. Wakeley.
Attorney Robinson asked Mr. Wakeley what levy
limit Bonner County EMS is at and Mr. Wakeley
said he believes the levy limit is at its
maximum and equates to $30 per year. Attorney
Robinson spoke of whether or not to levy under
the district, but as this is still new so
Commissioners could still levy .02% under the
general fund as long as the County doesn’t go
over the maximum allowed for that levy. Attorney
Robinson mentioned not wanting to set the levy
too low if the public support is there to
provide higher and higher levels of service.
Attorney Robinson asked about funding for Bonner
County EMS and Mr. Wakeley said $2,400,000 is
received from the levy for Bonner County EMS and
the remainder $600,000 is received from billing
collections. Out of the total $3,000,000 budget
$1,800,000 is payroll and another quarter
million goes towards paying partners for
contracts, supplies and expenses, and funds also
go to maintaining the fleet. Mr. Wakeley said
Bonner County EMS has been taking in more funds
than they’ve been expending so they have been
able to fund a reserve.
Attorney Robinson discussed working with (ICRMP)
to draft verbiage for a contract. Mr. Wakeley
reiterated that he personally hopes everyone at
the table here can work things out and that
Bonner County EMS is not needed for the
emergency basis. Mr. Wakeley said he personally
would be available for any consulting, free of
charge. Attorney Robinson said the time frame is
short and Boundary County is mandated to provide
a service at some level.
Attorney Robinson said Commissioners need to
decide how to proceed and to let him and Mr.
Wakeley know. Commissioners should also let Mr.
Wakeley know if they will continue with the fire
departments. Commissioners have to approach the
issue of identifying people who are truly
available for volunteer services, licensure, and
abilities to perform. Commissioners should also
advise BVA that the County is looking at all
kinds of alternatives and can’t make a final
decision as there isn’t enough data collected.
There are two or three alternatives on the table
now.
Commissioner Dinning said Boundary County
probably needs to plan today to move forward
with Bonner County EMS as in the case something
is not worked out, this will be in place as a
last resort. Chairman Smith said he agrees.
Attorney Robinson said he would review the draft
agreement and contact ICRMP. Chairman Smith said
the County has a final date of about two weeks,
according to BVA’s termination letter.
Chairman Smith said there is also another
proposal for ambulance services scheduled on
Commissioners’ agenda for discussion next
Monday. Attorney Robinson said if Commissioners
receive a written proposal they can open and
review it, but cannot make a motion on it unless
it is agendized.
Commissioner Dinning asked what happens if there
is a call and for whatever reason Boundary
County cannot provide a volunteer. Mr. Wakeley
said if Boundary County enters into an agreement
for Bonner County EMS to send an ambulance unit
and one person and Boundary County cannot supply
one EMT, he could not send his staff to respond
to a call. This emergency solution comes with
significant risks that everyone should become
aware of and Mr. Wakeley said he does not want
Bonner County EMS to bare the responsibility for
that risk. An ambulance and one EMT is not
enough to respond to a call, according to Mr.
Wakeley. Chairman Smith said even at the prior
meeting it was specifically brought out that
even if another EMT could not be provided, there
could be a driver for the ambulance. Chairman
Smith said he doesn’t think a situation would
happen where Boundary County could not provide a
second person at least as a driver and he feels
the County has enough local EMT volunteers who
would not let that happen.
Mr. Wakeley explained that Priest Lake often
responds with a non-licensed driver and an EMT
in the back of the unit so that situation does
happen, but he does recommend two EMT’s.
Mr. Boorman said the City of Bonners Ferry is
here to help. Commissioner Dinning said one
thing discussed is the City of Bonners Ferry has
an extrication unit and BVA owns the other one
so there may need to be access the City’s unit
through the proper channels. Mr. Boorman said
the mutual aid agreement is complicated here
because if it involves a city fire department or
district there is no problem there, but if there
is a private organization such as a non-profit,
there is no contractual obligation and no Idaho
tort claim protection, etc., so the only way the
City could handle this situation is if the
Sheriff requested the extrication unit, they
would be glad to help. If it was a private
organization such as a fire association, the
City could not offer use of the extrication
unit.
Commissioner Dinning said he would think due to
protocol the need would come through dispatch in
the Sheriff’s Office such as an Idaho State
Patrol officer or Sheriff’s deputy. Mr. Boorman
said there have been discussions on how far the
unit could be taken out of town and it was
questioned at what point it becomes an impact on
protection for the City’s residents. Mr. Boorman
said at this point it is not a major issue, but
if the unit was used a lot the discussion would
probably come back up.
Mr. Wakeley said that is a worthwhile point to
bring up because BVA does provide extrication
and Bonner County EMS cannot do that under this
contract. Rescue operations need to be provided
by someone else.
Mr. Rohrwasser said he has talked to Bonners
Ferry Fire Chief Pat Warkentin and if Bonners
Ferry’s extrication unit had to go north, South
Boundary Fire District can provide extrication
services as far as the City of Bonners Ferry.
Mr. Rohrwasser said Northside Fire has full
extrication equipment and they’ve agreed to go
anywhere within the County during the interim.
Mr. Wakeley explained that Northside Fire is one
of Bonner County EMS’s partnering agencies. Mr.
Rohrwasser mentioned that South Boundary Fire
does have a mutual aid agreement with Northside
Fire, who services from Sandpoint city limits
north to the Boundary County line. Commissioner
Dinning asked how communication in this case
would occur. Mr. Wakeley said communication
would occur from dispatch center to dispatch
center. Mr. Wakeley said Northside Fire Chief
Brad Mitton said he would be more than happy to
help.
Attorney Robinson said he will keep moving in
the same direction and he will contact ICRMP to
work on clarifying details. If other proposals
come in, they should certainly be welcomed as it
is a community activity again. Commissioner
Dinning said he had mentioned during the public
hearing to form an ambulance district that he
didn’t want this to be the mess that Bonner
County experienced seven years ago.
Attorney Robinson said there are two stages to
this. One is to make sure there is coverage and
the second thing is to look for a long term
solution. Commissioner Dinning asked Mr. Wakeley
to thank his Commissioners. Those present
discussed the deadline for Mr. Wakeley to
schedule this matter on Bonner County
Commissioners’ agenda unless he had to schedule
an emergency meeting. Attorney Robinson spoke of
working on information and to move forward. It
was said Mr. Wakeley could agendize this issue
with Bonner County Commissioners to discuss, but
if there are documents to sign, they also have
to be approved by the Bonner County Prosecutor’s
Office. Mr. Wakeley said in addition to the
agreement being time sensitive, the State
license needs to be changed, volunteers need to
be lined up and to get approval from his medical
director.
Commissioners will receive another proposal on
Monday.
Mr. Wakeley said if Boundary County can put a
call out for licensed EMT volunteers who are
willing to work on a temporary basis as a
volunteer that would give Bonner County EMS a
better idea.
Mr. Rohrwasser said as far as licensing, he has
talked to the EMS Bureau and in a situation like
this, provided the requirements can be met and
approval received by medical direction, the EMS
Bureau can push licensing through that may be
required.
Mr. Rohrwasser also mentioned that Kootenai
County Emergency Medical Services Chief Lynn
Borders informed him as it relates to ambulance
unit availability, if Boundary County were to
send a letter to Kootenai County’s Joint Powers
Board, Chief Borders thinks it is possible to
free up an ambulance unit for Boundary County.
In addition, two Kootenai County EMS ambulance
units are becoming available in September and
they could possibly be donated to Boundary
County. Mr. Wakeley said he can’t speak for his
Commissioners, but he will recommend his
ambulance unit be donated to Boundary County
this fall.
Commissioner Dinning asked Mr. Wakeley about a
member of his staff being on the State Board.
Mr. Wakeley said this staff member is the
Chairman of the State EMS Advisory Committee.
Commissioner Dinning requested Attorney Robinson
begin working on an agreement to work with
Bonner County EMS in the event there is no
resolution with BVA.
Mr. Baker clarified with Mr. Wakeley if the unit
is an intermediate life support (ILS) unit. Mr.
Wakeley said yes, but he would probably send up
a paramedic occasionally if he couldn’t find
someone to take the shift although he doesn’t
count on that happening.
Commissioners thanked Mr. Wakeley for his
assistance and asked him to thank his
Commissioners.
The meeting with Mr. Wakeley ended at 9:50 a.m.
Commissioner Dinning discussed tax matters with
Treasurer Fessler.
Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting at
Commissioners’ request at 10:00 a.m.
Commissioner Dinning said the minute the levy
rate for the ambulance district is set that’s
final, but the County doesn’t yet know what
funding will be needed. If the County doesn’t
utilize the .02% to fund a district, but does
levy the full of .04%, is there a mechanism the
County can use to not take the funding for one
year. Clerk Poston said the County would receive
the levy funds, but then opt to not take the
funding the next year and reduce the levy
amount.
Commissioner Dinning said if the County doesn’t
set the levy high enough, it will put the County
under budget for the duration of the ambulance
problem, but Commissioners also don’t want to
hurt the taxpayers. Clerk Poston said it is best
to have this conversation with Gary Houde or
Alan Dornfest with the State Tax Commission.
Chairman Smith said the County can’t receive
levy funds until December 2013, and he
questioned setting the levy now and possibly
reducing the levy the following year. Clerk
Poston said she feels there are a lot of
options. The levy amount of $342,000 that was
quoted cannot be confirmed until next year as it
depends on the County’s market value.
Commissioner Dinning said he doesn’t want to set
the levy so low that nothing can get
accomplished.
It was mentioned if Boundary Volunteer Ambulance
(BVA) says they still want to provide service,
they can respond. Clerk Poston questioned if
there is a specific responding entity that is
dispatched and is the entity listed in an
agreement, how does BVA fit into this?
Commissioners contacted Attorney Phil Robinson
via telephone at 10:10 a.m.
Commissioner Dinning said if another entity
besides BVA has the contract with the County,
how does that work if BVA is still licensed and
requests to be dispatched? There is nothing in
place to address that or add order to it.
Commissioners questioned if the County would
have two different ambulances services
responding to one accident. Attorney Robinson
said that is what happened in Bonner County.
Attorney Robinson said he met with
representatives of a board in Boise who work on
these issues. Commissioner Dinning said in these
cases would the State Board revoke BVA’s
license. Attorney Robinson said he doesn’t know
if the State would revoke the license or make
them secondary emergency responders. It was said
there is nothing saying it’s a free enterprise
and someone couldn’t be a part of the situation.
Commissioner Kirby said there are two competing
issues; one of which is being under contract to
the County and the other is the County Board
providing dispatching services. It was said the
911 requirements may require that any qualified
agency be entitled to dispatch services.
Attorney Robinson said he hasn’t seen an
emergency responder service refused in Bonner
County. Commissioner Dinning said he wants an
orderly structure no matter was the end result
is.
The call to Attorney Robinson ended at 10:20
a.m.
Clerk Poston said even though a levy of a
certain amount is set it doesn’t mean those
taxes will come in to the County. Chairman Smith
said each year the County can levy 3% and if the
County gets into a mess, had to borrow money
from bank and levy taxpayers, what amount levied
the next year would be a part of the 3% so the
County could not increase a county department
3%. Clerk Poston said there is work comp, etc,
and those are issues beyond the County’s
control.
Commissioner Dinning informed Treasurer Fessler
that the City of Bonners Ferry’s annexation is
legally in place. A woman having a mobile home
within the area annexed has now moved this home
to another county, but she had to pay the entire
2012 tax bill. Clerk Poston said this person may
have to start with the Assessor’s Office to
issue a credit, but she doesn’t know for sure.
Treasurer Fessler said the City of Bonners Ferry
would probably have to pay the refund.
The meeting with Treasurer Fessler ended.
Commissioner Dinning moved to sign the letter to
the City of Bonners Ferry regarding renewal of
the City/County Dispatch Agreement to include a
3% increase. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion
passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the
Chairman to sign the Idaho Counties Risk
Management Insurance Pool, General Aviation
Airport Liability Application for the Boundary
County Airport for coverage from October 1, 2012
to October 1, 2013. Commissioner Kirby second.
Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved to adopt Resolution
#2012-31. A resolution to increase Current
Expense Revenue and Current Expense
Clerk/Auditor Expense Budget. Commissioner Kirby
second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution
#2012-31 reads as follows:
RESOLUTION 2012-31
INCREASE CURRENT EXPENSE REVENUE AND
CURRENT EXPENSE CLERK/AUDITOR EXPENSE BUDGET
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners,
County of Boundary, State of Idaho, did
establish an operating budget for the fiscal
year 2011-2012 Current Expense Clerk/Auditor
Budget, and
WHEREAS, Boundary County received $737.49 from
the Idaho Association of Counties as
reimbursement for travel expenses for
Clerk/Auditor Glenda Poston to attend an Idaho
Association of Counties board meeting in Sun
Valley, Idaho, and
WHEREAS, Boundary County expended funds out of
the Current Expense Clerk/Auditor Budget,
Account Number 01-01-439, to initially cover
Clerk/Auditor Glenda Poston’s travel expenses to
Sun Valley, Idaho, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase the
Current Expense Budget Revenue Account Number
01-00-0391-0000 and Current Expense
Clerk/Auditor Expense Account Number 01-01-439,
Travel – Other, in the amount of $737.49, and
WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue does not
affect the tax levy for Boundary County, and
NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded
and unanimously carried,
IT IS RESOLVED that the increase to the Current
Expense Revenue Account Number 01-00-0391-0000
and Current Expense Clerk/Auditor Expense
Account Number 01-01-439, Travel – Other, in the
amount of $737.49 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 29th 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 #254109
The lease with the United States Postal Service
for renting office space to the County’s
Probation Office is up for renewal. The offices
listed in the agreement are rooms: 203, 205, 206
and 208 consisting of 762 square feet. The lease
term is from August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2014.
Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the
Chairman to sign the United States Postal
Service Agreement for office space leased to the
Boundary County Probation Office. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Dinning moved to authorize the
Chairman to sign the Agreement between the Idaho
Department of Parks and Recreation and Boundary
County for the Boat Safety Program. Commissioner
Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.
10:30 a.m., County resident Sharyn Brown joined
the meeting to discuss real property to be tax
deeded in October. Ms. Brown said the owners
have abandoned this property for quite some time
now. Various people have stayed on this property
recklessly and no one wants to take care of it.
Ms. Brown said she would like to take over
ownership of this property and to reside there.
Ms. Brown said she would like to plant a garden
and create a fire break, etc.
Commissioner Dinning said the County legally
cannot deed the property to anyone as the County
does not have any interest it. After the
property becomes tax deeded, to be sold it has
to be offered at public auction. Commissioner
Dinning said there may be measures legally
available for Ms. Brown such as paying the taxes
on the property for a certain period of time,
but he advised her to speak to an attorney.
The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:37 a.m.
Commissioners tended to administrative duties.
11:00 a.m., Sheriff Greg Sprungl, Chief Deputy
Rich Stephens and Administrative Deputy Crystal
Denton joined the meeting to discuss job
descriptions.
Chairman Smith questioned if the figure of
$48,000 listed in the Sheriff’s Office budget
request includes what is already listed in the
explanation. Ms. Denton Crystal said the new
position proposed for the Sheriff’s Office would
have to be graded by the Personnel
Classification Committee to see what wage is
determined. It was said the pay for the position
in question could be set at $8 to $10 per hour
plus benefits. Chairman Smith questioned whether
or not the position proposed is to replace a
position that is going to be vacated. It was
said that Ms. Denton will take over the duties
of the position that will become vacant and it
has been written in the budget request that she
will need an assistant.
Those present mentioned the training officer and
Commissioners asked if this was a new position
or if another employee doing these duties.
Sheriff Sprungl said there is an employee
currently in this position and he is looking to
compensate this employee. Ms. Denton said the
original thought was rather than a title of
communication specialist supervisor her position
would be called a communication specialist so
there would be no supervisor title in the
Sheriff’s Office budget. The funding for this
would come to Ms. Denton from the 911 budget.
Sheriff Sprungl said his office is in the
process of replacing three dispatchers.
Chairman Smith said if all changes are done,
does that increase the Sheriff’s Office existing
budget by $48,000. Ms. Denton said the budget
would increase by the amount for the
administrative position.
Sheriff Sprungl clarified that there are four
parts to this situation such as there is a
corporal position that should have been
evaluated and there is going to be a change in
the structure of how things are done. Sheriff
Sprungl also mentioned going from a dispatch
supervisor position to be replaced by a lesser
paid position.
Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting at 11:14
a.m.
It was said the Training Specialist position at
the Sheriff’s Office also needs to be rated by
the Personnel Classification Committee at some
point. This is an existing employee who could be
compensated for the additional duties. Chairman
Smith said when this information initially came
in he thought job descriptions were not reviewed
by the Committee until March. Chairman Smith
said he has already heard of the challenges in
the budget. Chairman Smith said his concern is
these job changes should’ve been reviewed some
time ago. Sheriff Sprungl said there are
exceptions such as when an employee leaves
unexpectedly.
Commissioner Dinning said if this is just
dealing with the dispatch trainer position, is
it trying to move the cost of one position to
the 911 budget rather than the Sheriff’s Office
budget. Ms. Denton said this position is not
paid out of 911 funds.
Sheriff Sprungl mentioned someone had vented
their frustrations to him because the Driver’s
License Office was closed for a holiday. It was
said there are a lot of things that take up Ms.
Denton’s time and another employee is needed.
Sheriff Sprungl said he has given up filling a
vacant position and felt the Sheriff’s Office
has helped balance a lot of problems in the
County budget. Sheriff Sprungl said an assistant
position is a badly needed position and it would
alleviate a lot of problems in his office.
Sheriff Sprungl said this position may even pay
for itself.
Ms. Denton said she submitted the budget for a
certain amount with a change to her position and
an assistant would be hired. The $48,000
mentioned in the budget is the cost for the new
position. Without the new position the budget
submitted would work. The budget of
approximately $48,000 submitted includes the new
position, according to Ms. Denton.
Commissioner Dinning said the new position that
is created will be affective October 1, 2012 and
will have to be evaluated by the Personnel
Classification Committee. It was said there are
positions that incorporated different duties and
those positions haven’t gone before the
Classification Committee for review.
Chief Deputy Stephens left the meeting at 11:30
a.m.
Commissioner Dinning said this proposed budget
has increased from last year’s budget, but that
could change once the Personnel Classification
Committee reviews three job descriptions.
It was said a $5,000 increase in wages has been
added for Ms. Denton’s position as her position
has not been evaluated by the Classification
Committee.
The meeting with Sheriff Sprungl and Ms. Denton
ended at 11:40 a.m.
11:45 a.m., Commissioners said the Fair Board
held a public hearing to consider an increase in
rental fees and had also recommended a fee
increase for use of Memorial Hall. The fee
increased from $35 to $40. Commissioners stated
there was a public notice in the newspaper and a
public hearing was held on this matter so the
proper steps had been taken.
Commissioner Dinning moved to affirm the
increase in rental fees for Memorial Hall from
$35 to $40. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion
passed unanimously.
11:55 a.m., Sheriff Sprungl stopped by
Commissioners’ Office briefly to inform them of
matters involving dispatchers. Sheriff Sprungl
left at 11:56 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting
adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
/s/
RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman
ATTEST:
/s/
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy
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