***Monday, May 26, 2025. The courthouse was closed for Memorial Day, therefore the Commissioners did not meet.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Commissioners said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson contacted the Commissioners’ office to remind them that he would not be able to attend at his normal time and would arrive at the end of their schedule instead.
Commissioners canvassed the ballots cast for the election held on May 20, 2025. Clerk Poston informed the Commissioners that the abstract is a true and correct representation of the votes cast on May 20, 2025.
Commissioner Bertling moved that Commissioners of the county and the state aforesaid, acting as a Board of Canvassers of Election, do hereby state that the attached is a true and complete abstract of all votes cast within this county for the candidates and/or questions as they appeared at the election held on May 20, 2025, as shown by the records now on file in the County Clerk’s Office. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties until 9:30 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Certificate of Residency for Haidyn Vanhorn. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Commissioner meeting minutes from the weeks of May 12 and May 19. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Resolution 2025-25 rescinding Resolution 2025-16. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2025-25
A RESOLUTION TO RESCIND RESOLUTION 2025-16
WHEREAS, on the 7th day of April, 2025, the Board of Boundary County Commissioners did adopt Resolution 2025-16, policy regarding sheriff budget, and
WHEREAS, the Resolution was found to be a duplication, the Board of Boundary County Commissioners has decided that it would be in the best interest of the county to rescind the duplication.
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that Resolution 2025-16 is hereby rescinded.
DATED this 27th day of May, 2025.
COUNTY OF BOUNDARY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
s/____________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
s/____________________________________
TIM BERTLING, Commissioner
s/____________________________________
LESTER PINKERTON, Commissioner
ATTEST:
s/_____________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk/Recorder
Boundary County
Recording Instrument #299991
Solid Waste Superintendent Richard Jenkins entered the meeting at 9:55 a.m.
At 10:00 a.m. Commissioners held a bid opening for the metal pile at the main landfill. Those present were: Chairman Robertson, Commissioner Bertling, Commissioner Pinkerton, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims, and Solid Waste Supervisor Richard Jenkins. The meeting was recorded.
Two sealed bids were received. Sutton Salvage provided $90 per ton owed to Boundary County and also provided a certification statement. The bid from Pacific Steel provided an amount of $85 per ton.
Commissioner Bertling moved to accept the bid from Sutton Salvage for $90 per ton. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The bid opening ended at 10:03 a.m.
The meeting with Mr. Jenkins ended at 10:14 a.m. and he left the meeting.
At 10:30 a.m. Airport Manager Dave Parker, Board Members Don Jordan, Jay Wages, and Pat Gardiner, and Ardurra Aviation Project Manager Trey Dail entered the meeting.
Mr. Parker reviewed the proposed projects which included moving utilities underground, and shifting and extending the runway. He stated that all of which would improve safety. If those projects move forward, the AGIS project would be necessary due to the runway shift so that pilots could land when they are not able to see the ground due to weather.
Commissioner Bertling asked about the grindings from the current runway and if they could be transferred to another department. Mr. Parker stated that they would need to check into that. Previously they have been able to use them in other areas at the airport, but was unsure if they could be transferred.
Chairman Robertson asked about the cash match. Mr. Parker stated that it would be $187,000 over 2 years. The cash match is 2.5% which is the lowest they have ever seen.
Ms. Poston clarified figures in their budget request verses the applications and amounts that would carry forward into the next calendar year.
Chairman Robertson asked the Airport Board members if they were in favor of the proposed projects. Mr. Jordan, Mr. Wages, and Mr. Gardiner all responded yes.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the letter of intent to purchase property. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency for a total of $484,000 using grant funds. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
At 11:00 a.m. Mr. Parker, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Wages, Mr. Gardiner, and Mr. Dail stepped out of the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to recesses as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners and reconvene as Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign Resolution 2025-1A. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to adjourn as the Boundary County Ambulance Service District Governing Board and reconvene as the Boundary County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioners attended to administrative duties until their next appointment at 11:30 a.m.
Mr. Parker, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Wages, Mr. Gardiner, and Mr. Dail re-entered the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the FAA AIP Grant No.3-16-0004-023-2023 Grant Amendment Request #2. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Ardurra Master Services Agreement. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to the sign Airport Overhead Power Project 65S OPL AIP 025 Grant Application. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the Airport Overhead Power Project 65S OPL IIJA 026 Grant Application. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to sign the 65A AGIS IIJA 027 Grant Application. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Bertling moved to the sign 65S Land Acq AIP028 Grant Application. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Mr. Parker, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Wages, Mr. Gardiner, and Mr. Dail ended at 11:48 a.m. and they left the meeting.
Commissioners recessed for lunch at 11:57 a.m.
The meeting reconvened for the afternoon session at 1:30 p.m. with Chairman Ben Robertson, Commissioner Tim Bertling, Commissioner Lester Pinkerton, and Deputy Clerk Stephanie Sims.
Road & Bridge Superintendent Brad Barton and Assistant Superintendent Adam Ryals entered the meeting at 1:28 p.m. to give the Road & Bridge report. Mr. Barton stated that they have continued to crush rock and hauled loads of rock to Lions Den Rd and Deep Creek Boat launch. They also had a pre-construction meeting for Sunrise Road, and attended a flagging class. A BATT meeting was scheduled for later in the week.
Mr. Ryals discussed the schedule for road closures due to the UPRR crossings that are being worked on.
Commissioners then discussed the various positions they have open within the department and the applications received to date.
The meeting with Mr. Barton and Mr. Ryals ended at 1:58 p.m. and they left the meeting.
Personnel Director Pam Barton, Restorium Supervisor Janay Smith, and Diana Lane entered the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go into executive session 74-206(a) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need. This paragraph does not apply to filling a vacancy in an elective office or deliberations about staffing needs in general and 74-206(b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public-school student. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye”. Ms. Smith and Ms. Lane left the meeting at 2:20 p.m. The executive session ended at 2:35 p.m.
Commissioner Bertling moved to direct Ms. Barton to proceed as discussed. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting with Ms. Barton ended at 2:34 p.m. and she left the meeting.
Paradise Valley Fire District representatives Andrew O’Neel, Michael Dubron, Mike Munoz, and Chief Mike Glazier entered the meeting at 2:35 p.m.
Mr. O’Neel stated that they wanted to make Commissioners aware of some conversations with Cabinet Mountain Water. In 2021 they received a letter that the Water District was going to begin charging the fire department a maintenance fee for each of the 67 hydrants within their district. Paradise Valley Fire Department has never had an agreement with Cabinet Mountain Water, but agreed to proceed and began working through the process. In 2024 the department received a rough draft of the agreement where the cost had increased and would now total approximately $5,000 each year.
Mr. Dubron explained that the fire department is very interested in making sure the hydrants are maintained and asked for records on maintenance costs for the hydrants. Cabinet Mountain Water responded that they do not have that information. The verbiage in the agreement then changed from a maintenance fee to a hydrant usage or access fee.
Chief Glazier also stated that the flow meters that were purchased with the County’s ARPA funds are still in the hands of Cabinet Mountain Water and they are now stating that they won’t release them until this agreement is in place.
Commissioner Bertling stated that it was in the best interest of the Water District to give the fire department the flow meters. He stated that it didn’t make sense for them to hold on to them. Chief Glazier stated that they are also withholding them from South Boundary Fire as well.
Commissioner Bertling stated that the reason for them was to prevent their system from crashing during an emergency and asked if Cabinet Mountain had given them any information on what numbers would crash their system. Mr. O’Neel stated no, and clarified it would be a pressure issue, not the amount of water used.
Commissioner Robertson stated that he could reach out to Cabinet Mountain.
Commissioners asked what was involved in the maintenance of a hydrant. The answer was to turn it off and on, test the flow and grease the moving parts. The cost involved would be minimal. The fire department representatives also stated that Cabinet Mountain will now only speak to them through their attorney, which costs the department additional money that takes away from their mandatory expenses and primary purpose.
The meeting with Paradise Valley Fire District ended at 3:07 p.m. and Mr. O’Neel, Mr. Dubron, Mr. Munoz, and Chief Glazier left the meeting.
Commissioner Bertling moved to go into executive session 74-206(b) to consider the evaluation, dismissal, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public-school student. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Robertson “aye”, Commissioner Bertling “aye”, Commissioner “aye”.
Civil Attorney Bill Wilson entered the executive session at 3:35 p.m. The executive session ended at 3:55 p.m. No action was taken.
Mr. Wilson discussed the property tax exemption applications that Commissioners had questions on and the process for appeals with the Board of Equalization. He also stated that he had reached out to the state regarding one of the applications to get further clarification.
Mr. Wilson then updated the Commissioners on the status of various projects and agreements he has been working on including Riverside Rd., Sunrise Rd., airport hangar leases, Ardurra agreement, and the resolution for the Ambulance District.
The meeting with Mr. Wilson ended at 4:24 p.m. and he left the meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
s/________________________________
BEN ROBERTSON, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/_______________________________
GLENDA POSTON, Clerk
By: Stephanie Sims, Deputy Clerk