[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6179980,"mediaKeyId","5121805-2ecd9ea16eadeb49676a18a5229a0f98","parentId",5121805,"title","Board pushes to expand part‑time pool, separates payroll ahead of district launch; commissioners to notify HR","audioSeconds",101,"startMs",1281000,"endMs",1382000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5121805-2ecd9ea16eadeb49676a18a5229a0f98&start=1281&end=1382","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5121805-2ecd9ea16eadeb49676a18a5229a0f98/thumbnail_1281000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179980/Bonner-County/Idaho/Board-pushes-to-expand-parttime-pool-separates-payroll-ahead-of-district-launch-commissioners-to-notify-HR","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179980-a029b6dc0f31be168a1c40af8a099af2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775383358&Signature=Uvu6GH470DcDRsx816X~GB1xg72nvGLsrqPhQdr8fOss95bouuQkslAb0GoiETU-cJTS88nAm3E3jDmHOqUmKKr2kyzHLi1SvoVwtAWau7MwcK6IetTNVtLrnxVpzzzjBOvq1ZX2BslRkUzAT3zC1inaSuTWRyOtdbzmE3E-LHEzBHViJdKrOD-xILX4KVJTs5Z1T7dzAL5NKZwXzgsSno4d1KaboHNejIrfFOY9z7FVHUr8qFShG3LP7h-cAtnJp2EmuCAz1855o2yML-L~bsFPDSoKoXIAufB2bOBu~6IqRgXA5zhm-79yGTSqGo1xGxuIztLeaMOSH78z0u28Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-02T15:59:40Z","article","Bonner County Ambulance Service leaders told the board they will open three part‑time positions to reduce overtime and that payroll and HR responsibilities will be separated from the county clerk’s office effective Oct. 1.

Chief (Bonner County Ambulance Service) said the district’s staffing level is generally adequate but summer vacations and a workers’ comp absence have created pressure: \"We're minimum plus 1 maybe. ... If we go below minimums, then we are putting ourselves in a bind because now we're going to be having to staff with overtime.\" He said the service asked HR to open three part‑time positions to expand the candidate pool for seasonal coverage.

Board members said the HR staff currently handling these requests were not present for earlier conversations and asked that the board formally notify HR to authorize the positions. Commissioner Domke agreed: \"Commissioner Domke will send that email,\" he said, noting all three commissioners would be copied so HR has an explicit directive.

Chief described an operational change that will separate payroll and auditing functions from the clerk's office: \"We will be completely separated with payroll ... come October 1.\" Staff said that separation will include payroll processing and auditing tasks currently performed by the clerk.

The board also discussed employee advancement and retention. Commissioners asked staff to build training, continuing‑education and credential advancement into a five‑year staffing and budget outlook so employees know how and whether certifications will be compensated. One commissioner noted the sheriff’s office uses automatic pay bumps for advanced credentials and asked for a similar, predictable path for EMS staff.

Insurance and benefits: staff said auto and liability insurance are complete and medical insurance quotes are in progress; a pending quote could require board attention.

Follow‑up: commissioners will email HR to request authorization to open three part‑time positions; staff will return with a five‑year staffing and compensation plan that includes advancement and retention measures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BC Ambulance Service District Meeting - 07/02/2025 @ 9:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Board discussed staffing pressures, a plan to open three part‑time positions to reduce overtime, separation of payroll/HR from the clerk's office effective Oct. 1, and an action for commissioners to email HR to authorize hiring.","taxTitle","Bonner County, Idaho","taxId",49415,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6179984,"Legal review finds no ordinance change required; board to update advisory council policy",234,650000,884000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5121805-2ecd9ea16eadeb49676a18a5229a0f98&start=650&end=884","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5121805-2ecd9ea16eadeb49676a18a5229a0f98/thumbnail_650000.jpg","/articles/6179984/Bonner-County/Idaho/Legal-review-finds-no-ordinance-change-required-board-to-update-advisory-council-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179984-d06e64a4ca17d02165fd00f932c73a9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775383358&Signature=XrQ8lCcZBwIuamoTiO1zzbrGRblHirFi4x6TCTE4LnBJ9XA4rwJo18SzbKUXQTkrPhVVlQq1Jev7ZI-GQVEqRVgKtQEGOAGs3s26a5ec6IqZstU9DbUY6In0JwAyC0KTsWOLHPrNNM4gdz1CVxFqmXACM3qdktCB~XXmlqHwK8XJc90MYpl8RpPYLBx36yRzmqixUJ9eyfdlPv27IhcgjfvR2aYanZ5glDSDkBX7iHT7thR6vFuSMUDOfWpWKiLkbAd2gXz2VImCgpPzTE7M5r0RU6avp4u7arBgW-4NDxC5LvM0iylfc8k7JKzum4RCbwVUVBrawUIL19ZDKo5AtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bonner County Ambulance Service Board members reviewed legal guidance on the district’s governing structure and agreed to create a written policy defining the advisory council’s role and partner‑agency communications.

Chief (Bonner County Ambulance Service) summarized counsel’s opinion and recounted that Bill P., the county’s legal advisor, and another counsel (referred to in the meeting as \"Gigre\") reviewed the ordinance and concluded it applies only to unincorporated areas of the county and that no legal change is required: \"it's only for unincorporated areas of the county to begin with...so there's no real reason to mess with that.\" The board treated that advice as closing the question of a mandatory ordinance amendment.

Why it matters: the legal interpretation clarifies where the ordinance currently applies and reduces the immediate need to amend the county code. However, the board said it still may change the ordinance later for policy reasons or to adjust the advisory council’s duties.

The board directed staff to draft a written policy clarifying the advisory council’s purpose, membership and processes and to update the council’s bylaws as needed. Commissioner Domke said he would send an email to Rosemary to start that work and asked staff to roll facility, vehicle and equipment ownership/transfer details into the joint‑powers agreement (JPA) scope.

The board also noted that alternative legal structures had been reviewed previously and that counsel had described options; those options remain available but were not recommended as necessary because they would carry legal costs without clear benefit.

Discussion: board members flagged that revising advisory council membership and partner agreements is important to improve countywide transparency and to clarify who reports to the district and how outside agencies are represented at meetings.

Next steps: staff will update the task list to roll building, vehicle and equipment ownership into the JPA scope; staff will draft an advisory‑council policy and propose bylaw changes for the council’s membership and reporting process.","County legal opinion concluded the existing ambulance‑taxing ordinance applies only to unincorporated areas and needs no change; board agreed to draft a policy and consider advisory‑council bylaw updates and partner‑agency agreements.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6179987,"Bonner County ambulance leaders warn of late-year revenue gap; plan TAN, seek GEMT reimbursements",379,1506000,1885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5121805-2ecd9ea16eadeb49676a18a5229a0f98&start=1506&end=1885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5121805-2ecd9ea16eadeb49676a18a5229a0f98/thumbnail_1506000.jpg","/articles/6179987/Bonner-County/Idaho/Bonner-County-ambulance-leaders-warn-of-late-year-revenue-gap-plan-TAN-seek-GEMT-reimbursements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179987-75d04c17aadc848f9670489e785274b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775383358&Signature=Q9jlln~tZM1Q6GRucrEXLc4rZ57txR-~3PjjCMx-ju6XlIUyDAEInxO2ajViN7NwHC2qeBIMGjaXwLLOLpHkK01FHJsHgL3hog0IZQrZkzo31Mwu~zDuu~KW6jBtg59WPHs4Ladb28oTRKvCRMgOddFlHmZQpYxw5FiwwaQTpEw75yH2SF5fz7BUIFc3ALVERIGFeDQSNjtJjLQvnOVxXkFN3apuZFBjHY2r9Z1dBIWYrW1-nTt053QEzoQyB66LDQQnUowHKeq16vAZjQY0ka1zsA8~ZeQZ5ZwW9fOVO~RqsPpcaZwYWnUO-xYcJpZXVSgeuWYGgYJskqjJJVuQng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bonner County Ambulance Service Board members reviewed a multi‑year budget forecast and warned of a cash shortfall that traditionally occurs between October and the January tax distribution.

Chief (Bonner County Ambulance Service) told the board the district’s forecast through October is complete but that the cost of employee benefits remains the largest outstanding input: \"Once that happens, then we'll be pretty well locked in.\" He said the district is forecasting through fiscal 2026 and that, while the end of the October–January gap period is projected to be in the black, he does not want to be that close and expects the district will seek a tax anticipation note (TAN) again this year: \"I think we will TAN again.\"

Why it matters: the district relies on property tax distributions that arrive after a multi‑month gap; the board must plan short‑term borrowing or reserves to cover payroll and operations during that interval.

Board members and staff said they are awaiting a firm health‑insurance premium from the county comptroller and that the answer will materially change the forecast. The comptroller (Jessica) and staff (Shannon) were cited as points of contact for the benefit premium update. Chief said he will report back once the premium is known.

The board also discussed reimbursement streams. The district is enrolled in Washington’s GEMT (ground emergency medical transport) program to recoup Medicaid transport costs for Washington Medicaid patients that Bonner County crews carry across state lines; the chief estimated the district could recover \"roughly 50‑something thousand\" dollars for the current year from that program. He said the district is also meeting with its GEMT contractor next week to review possible effects from recent federal legislation that could affect GEMT reimbursements.

Board members asked about the timing to notify legal and lenders if the district will pursue a TAN so that legal and financial advisors can be ready during the fall and holiday period. Chief said he expects to have the finalized fiscal‑year numbers and will target October to begin the TAN process.

The board discussed supply costs and critical medication availability. Chief described shifting medication dosing and availability as an ongoing operational risk, saying crews must be advised when drug formulations or doses change. Commissioners said medication cost increases should be included in future budget planning.

Public comment: Wayne Martin, Bonner County resident, urged continued attention to reserves and noted the importance of a contingency to cover the October–January gap. \"I do hope that you'll continue to look at that until you get that billion dollar reserve,\" Martin said.

Next steps: staff will report back on the health‑insurance premium and on the GEMT meeting; the board expects a more detailed TAN decision and staffing/benefits (five‑year) planning discussion at an upcoming meeting.","Board reviewed multi-year budget planning and a predicted October–January revenue gap, discussed a likely tax anticipation note, enrollment in Washington GEMT reimbursements and insurance premium uncertainty.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board pushes to expand part‑time pool, separates payroll ahead of district launch; commissioners to notify HR

Legal review finds no ordinance change required; board to update advisory council policy

Bonner County ambulance leaders warn of late-year revenue gap; plan TAN, seek GEMT reimbursements