Klaus resigns city council

July 11, 2013

By Julie Golder and Mike Weland

Bonners Ferry City Councilman Mike Klaus, elected to office in 2009, formally tendered his resignation at Tuesday's city council meeting.

"I hereby resign as a City councilman and Urban Renewal Agency chairman for the City of Bonners Ferry effective immediately," he wrote in the letter presented the council. "I have encouraged city leadership to make staffing changes that are crucial to the success of the City for nearly two years. I am resigning because City leadership has refused to make those changes."

In an interview, Klaus said he was unable to give additional comment due to confidentiality laws, as most of the issues prompting his decision were protected as executive session matters involving personnel or legal issues.

"I have been hopeful that City leadership would see the benefit of those proposed changes," the letter continues, "however, inaction regarding recent staffing issues has forced me to believe that City leadership will continue (to) ignore these problems."

In recent months, pressures against the city have mounted, including a $500,000 tort claim filed by a serving city police officer claiming subjection to a hostile work environment and allegations under investigation by the Idaho Attorney General's office regarding a test program offered the city by the Bonneville Power Administration to test three super-efficient hot water heaters, each valued at $1,500.

Instead of going to needy city residents as intended, it is alleged that none went to those in need and only one was installed in the city. According to the complaint, two of the units were installed in the homes of city officials, the third in the home of a local religious leader living outside Bonners Ferry city limits. All three units, it is claimed, were subsequently removed.

"There's a lot more, and I have records and documentation to back it up," the complainant said. "It's surreal. You can't make this stuff up."

If proven, he said, federal criminal charges are likely.

In the days and weeks ahead, Newsbf.com will closely monitor developments.