Commissioners minutes, July 18-19

July 30, 2011

Monday, July 18, 2011, Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner Dan Dinning was out of the office for the day.

 

Blue Sky Broadcasting Reporter Mike Brown was in attendance throughout the day. 

 

9:00 a.m., Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall joined the meeting to give the departmental report. Mr. Gutshall did not provide a written report.

 

Chairman Smith asked Mr. Gutshall if he has heard about the status of funding for the roads that sustained damage from heavy spring rains. Mr. Gutshall said Bonner County is now putting out notices about Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) funding for their road issues.

 

Mr. Gutshall said Road and Bridge will work on dust abatement and making chips for chip sealing this week. Mr. Gutshall spoke about quantity and expense in relation to chipsealing.

 

Chairman Smith discussed the District I railroad crossing. Mr. Gutshall said the area in between the tracks needs to be paved because it gets dry in the summer time and hollows out. Mr. Gutshall said the County has no business working on the area between the railroad tracks.

 

Chairman Smith asked when Mr. Gutshall expects Deep Creek Phase II will begin and Mr. Gutshall said he isn’t sure, but he is expecting a telephone call.

 

The meeting with Mr. Gutshall ended at 9:15 a.m.

 

9:30 a.m., Boundary County Emergency Services Incident Commander Bob Graham, Director Dave Kramer, and Boundary County Volunteer Ambulance Chief Ken Baker joined the meeting to discuss the mass casualty trailer.

 

Chairman Smith said sometime back Mr. Baker met with Commissioners questioning ownership and maintenance of the mass casualty trailer. It was said Emergency Management Services does not need the trailer, but it is in the County’s name so there are questions. Mr. Kramer said the Panhandle Health District provided these trailers to the five northern counties. Most of the trailer’s functions are medical related and Boundary Volunteer Ambulance is the entity most likely to use it, according to Mr. Kramer. Mr. Kramer explained what is in the trailer to include backboards and pole shelters. Mr. Baker said Boundary Volunteer Ambulance also receives pole shelters for the trailer separate from Emergency Services. Mr. Kramer said Emergency Services is fine with transferring the trailer over to the Ambulance Association and he added that Emergency Services doesn’t have it in their budget to maintain it.

 

Those present discussed what equipment would be listed on County inventory and Mr. Baker said none of Boundary Volunteer Ambulance Association’s equipment is on the County’s inventory with the exception of most of the original equipment. Chairman Smith said if the trailer and its equipment is on the County’s inventory, there is no doubt it is the County’s. Chairman Smith asked how the trailer’s supplies are replenished. Chairman Smith questioned if the County would be approached by the Ambulance Association for maintenance of the trailer and Mr. Baker briefly mentioned the various maintenance possibilities. Chairman Smith said labor could be provided by the County, but who buys the parts as he isn’t sure if it is Boundary County that needs to put money into the trailer. Mr. Graham mentioned transferring the trailer’s title over to the Ambulance Association. Chairman Smith said that may not sit well with the Panhandle Health District if they provided the trailer to the County’s Emergency Services. Mr. Kramer said he believes the other trailers that were given to the other four northern counties were given to Emergency Services, not specifically to the County. Chairman Smith asked Commissioner Kirby to check with the Panhandle Health District since he is on the Board to see how they feel about transferring the trailer and about grant related issues. Mr. Kramer said as far as functionality, the trailer is more in line with the Ambulance Association than Emergency Services. If the trailer is County property, Commissioners don’t have a problem with transferring it to the Ambulance Association, according to Chairman Smith. Mr. Baker said the Ambulance Association signed an agreement with Panhandle Health District stating the Ambulance Association would have a vehicle that would be able to tow the trailer. Commissioner Kirby was asked to see if he could find out from Panhandle Health District if there is a reason in the grant that the trailer cannot be transferred. Chairman Smith said if something comes up and the trailer needs work, Road and Bridge could be available for the labor, but any parts expense would have to come out of a grant or at the expense of Boundary Volunteer Ambulance.

 

Commissioner Kirby contacted the Panhandle Health District via telephone and relayed to those present that the Panhandle Health District didn’t mind if the trailer is transferred to Boundary Volunteer Ambulance. It was said the funds from the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response “ASPR” Grant keeps coming from the federal government to keep the trailer stocked. Commissioner Kirby said he is supposed to receive more information from the Panhandle Health District. Mr. Graham said the ASPR paperwork needs to go to the Ambulance Association.

 

The meeting with Mr. Kramer and Mr. Graham ended at 9:45 a.m.

 

Commissioners, Ken Baker, and Mike Brown discussed questions associated with forming an Ambulance District. Commissioner Kirby said if the issue comes up, he would be in favor.

 

10:00 a.m., Mr. Baker and Mr. Brown left the meeting.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to grant an extension of time to pay 2010 taxes on parcel #MH61N01E156757A until September 30, 2011. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to grant an extension of time to pay 2010 taxes on parcel #MH61N01W255561A with the first half of the tax due on August 1, 2011 and the second half due on September 2, 2011. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to grant an extension of time to pay 2010 taxes on parcel #MH00030000018AA until August 5, 2011. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.  

 

10:10 a.m., Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to go into closed session under Idaho Code 31-874. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously. 10:20 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go out of closed session. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.  

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to put indigent application #2011-41 into suspension pending determination of Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Program (PCIP) eligibility. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve indigent application #2011-42 with reimbursement of $50 per month and 30% of tax refunds received each year. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to deny indigent application #2011-44 based on the Clerk’s recommendation. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to deny indigent application #2011-45 as the application was not timely filed. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals left the meeting at 10:21 a.m.

 

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

 

11:30 a.m., Boundary Community Hospital CEO/CFO Craig Johnson and Hospital Board of Trustees Chairman Elden Koon joined the meeting to give a hospital update. Mike Brown also joined the meeting.

 

Mr. Johnson said the Fry Education Building still needs to have the exterior painted as it only has primer so far and landscaping needs to be done after painting. Mr. Johnson said there should be an open house sometime in August or early September. Mr. Johnson said an updated CD of hospital policies will be supplied to Commissioners next month and the Board of Trustees Policy Committee is also working on updating the Hospital by-laws. Mr. Johnson said he is not expecting many changes to the by-laws.

Mr. Johnson said the Hospital’s finances have been slightly in the red after posting depreciation as the census has been down in both inpatient and out patient services. Mr. Johnson said he feels there is just a temporary low and by fall the Hospital should see the census come back up. Mr. Johnson briefly discussed ways to streamline the waiting room. Mr. Johnson said Kootenai Medical Center is helping the Hospital with recruiting a physician.

 

Those present talked about the Swish Event held just last Saturday.

 

The meeting with Mr. Johnson and Mr. Koon ended at 11:50 a.m.

 

There being no further business, the meeting recessed until tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

 

Tuesday, July 19, 2011, Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ron Smith, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser. Commissioner Dan Dinning was out of the office tending to personal matters.

 

9:00 a.m., Commissioners held an elected officials/department heads meeting. Present were: Clerk Glenda Poston, Assessor Dave Ryals, Treasurer Jenny Fessler, Planning and Zoning Administrator Mike Weland, Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen, Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown, Road and Bridge Superintendent Jeff Gutshall, Extension Office Educator Carol Hampton, and Court Clerk Supervisor Rose Sprungl.

 

Chairman Smith said Commissioners didn’t have a lot to discuss. Chairman Smith discussed the budget and said when Commissioners do receive a copy of the proposed budget and learn the County is short of having a balanced budget, they meet with Clerk Glenda Poston to work on finding which areas can be cut. This year the County did not have to do that and Chairman Smith said Commissioners would like to thank the elected officials and department heads for helping make the budget. Chairman Smith said up until a few weeks ago, counties were under the impression the State was going to cut into county portions of revenue sharing, but that is no longer the case. Chairman Smith also informed those present that payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) has been 100% funded. The way everything stands unless there are changes, PILT and Secure Rural Schools Funds (SRS) will go away next year. Clerk Poston said she believes the PILT will stay. Chairman Smith said his feeling is that SRS funds will be renewed. Idaho is not the only state that is affected by SRS as Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington State are also affected. Chairman Smith said if SRS funds don’t continue, he has got to think the State of Idaho will step in to open up the levy limit or something along those lines. Chairman Smith said if that happens, he doesn’t think it will be political disaster to local governments as people will know that it was not the counties’ idea to do that. If the State does not step in and SRS is not renewed, Chairman Smith said he quite frankly doesn’t know how the Road and Bridge Department would operate. The County would possibly have to form a road district and that vote would have to go to the public. Mr. Gutshall asked if the County could go above the 3% cap with a vote. Chairman Smith said the only option he thinks may be available would be a maintenance and operation (M & O) levy. Clerk Poston said with Road and Bridge, the county shares a portion of the levy funds with the City. Chairman Smith said that should not have been a reason for the County to not levy sometime back.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to amend the agenda for 9:30 a.m., in order to make a motion to sign a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Grant application for the Boundary County Airport as it is a matter that is time sensitive. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously. 

 

Mr. Gutshall said the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) expects the Federal Highways District monies to be cut back as well. Mr. Gutshall said he hasn’t projected an amount yet because it hasn’t happened, but he heard that Garvee funds will be cut off where they are at. Chairman Smith said since the County doesn’t levy for Road and Bridge, it doesn’t affect the other departments in the county.

 

Chairman Smith said he is not sure if the next topic is politically correct, but the County has not been able to offer a cost of living increase in the last couple of years so Commissioners sat down and decided to offer County employees an approximate 10 extra days off per year that coincide with three-day holiday weekends instead. Chairman Smith said he has received nothing other than positive feedback. Chairman Smith said he would like to continue offering these days and he will discuss it with the other two Commissioners in order for that scheduled to start next fiscal year.

 

Chairman Smith said in saying that, the County really needs to look at a possible cost of living increase for next year as departments start going through their budgets. Chairman Smith said whether that is politically correct to the public, he doesn’t know. Chairman Smith said even though employees have some extra time off and he knows they appreciate it, it doesn’t put money in their pocket. Chairman Smith spoke of County benefits and said a family rate can cost $1,400 per month and the employee doesn’t have to pay that. Chairman Smith spoke of the President’s proposed health care plan and he explained that counties cannot make any adjustments to their existing medical insurance plans or they will lose their grandfather clause, which can means higher rates and possible penalties. Chairman Smith said in other counties, employees pay a portion or their insurance and a couple few counties pay all of the cost of benefits. Insurance premiums are a little better than one million dollars per year, according to Chairman Smith. Chairman Smith said there used to be an employee in the Clerk’s Office some years ago and just about every budget review time, this employee would comment that they didn’t mind if anything changed as long as the benefits were left alone. Chairman Smith said he feels it is Commissioners’ responsibility to take care of County employees in that regard, more so than other elected officials. Chairman Smith said he tells people that, but then adds that Commissioners also still have to operate a County government. Chairman Smith said he doesn’t have a problem getting around to consider a cost of living increase and whether or not the County can do it. Since the State did not take away from the revenue sharing it looks like things are getting better. Stories in the newspaper also look a bit more positive. Chairman Smith said he spoke to Clerk Poston and she also mentioned the County needs to start thinking about a cost of living increase as it has been a few years. If the County doesn’t do something and look into the possibility and just continue down the same path, the wages will be stagnant as everything else increases. Chairman Smith asked if anyone had any comments or disagreements. Commissioner Kirby said he thinks everyone understands the story. Ms. Sprungl said Judge Julian has mentioned how cost of living increases affects Public Employee Retirement System (PERSI) benefits. Ms. Hampton said an employee’s social security benefits and PERSI benefits are based on the last five years or the highest five years of wages so if wages are not increased, it actually lowers an employee’s retirement benefit. Ms. Sprungl mentioned the increases are forecasted on the social security newsletters as well. Chairman Smith said in that case it is like a double hit.

 

Clerk Poston informed those present that she is working to get the budget published. The budget will be printed and handed to the departments, but the budget will not be final until it has been adopted by Commissioners. Clerk Poston said she doesn’t yet have the official property values, which is used to determine the levy rates.

 

Ms. Sprungl said with the state of the country and so many people unemployed, if it comes to the point that there is no cost of living increase, she is happy to at least have a job.

 

The elected officials/department heads meeting ended 9:30 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kirby moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Federal Aviation Administration Grant Application for an environmental study for future land purchases for the Boundary County Airport. Chairman Smith yielded the chair to second. Motion passed unanimously.        

 

9:50 a.m., There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

 

           

 

                                                            /s/

                                                            RONALD R. SMITH, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

 

/s/

GLENDA POSTON, Clerk

By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy