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Bonner County will hold board and commission interviews in public; executive sessions allowed only as state law permits
Summary
After public comment and deliberation, commissioners voted to conduct interviews for county boards and commissions in public and to limit executive‑session deliberations to situations expressly allowed by Idaho statute.
The board considered whether interviews for appointed county boards and commissions should be open to the public or conducted in executive session. The item followed public requests for transparency and legal review of Idaho's open‑meeting law (Idaho Code 74‑206).
Commissioner discussion focused on balancing transparency and the legal exceptions for executive sessions. Supporters argued that making interviews public increases trust and allows residents to see how candidates respond to questions; others cautioned that applicants might be deterred from volunteering and that some narrowly defined background issues could justify a closed session.
After public comment that included a mix of residents and policy observers urging openness, the board voted to amend and adopt a policy motion stating: "the Board of County Commissioners will hold the interview and deliberation portion of boards and commissions in public, using executive session only as allowed by state statute." The motion passed on roll call vote.
Ending: The board will implement public interviews for appointments going forward and will enter executive session only when a statutory exception clearly applies; staff will develop a consistent procedure and question set so applicants are treated equitably.
