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Commissioners weigh donated wood from Donnelly church amid legal and budget concerns
Summary
Valley County discussed a request from Donnelly Church to waive fees for 15–20 trailer loads of donated firewood; staff flagged potential legal limits on donating services to religious organizations and noted high woody-debris grinding costs.
Valley County commissioners on Sept. 24 discussed a request from Jerry Grop of Donnelly Church to waive disposal fees for 15 to 20 dump-trailer loads of wood the church said had accumulated from firewood operations for needy residents.
County staff raised legal concerns about providing a fee waiver to a religious organization. "We have to be so careful with anything that would be a contribution to a religious affiliation," a county official said during the Buildings and Grounds presentation, and recommended legal review before approving any in‑kind or fee waiver.
Staff also warned of the operational cost. Buildings and grounds staff said the county spends about $400,000 a year on grinding and processing woody debris and that without grant funding for the coming year the program is currently "underwater." The staff estimate for the Donnelly Church request was framed in terms of processing costs rather than an exact fee, with potential variability depending on weight and moisture content.
Commissioners suggested the request might be better handled under a forthcoming county grant program, which staff said would include parameters to ensure consistency and legal compliance. No formal action was taken; staff were directed to seek legal clarity and consider the request under the county's grant program framework.
