Commissioners discuss transit reorganization, enter executive session to address job descriptions

Chad Engle, representing the county transit department, told Kootenai County commissioners March 6 that the department's organizational structure needs adjustment to meet federal and state requirements and to avoid audit findings.

Engle said the county moved the Resource Management Office into transit in December 2023 and that, in February 2024, the board directed revisions to two job descriptions that were later submitted to human resources for reclassification. "The Federal Transit Administration has vetted these job descriptions to ensure alignment with both triennial review requirements and other applicable regulations," Engle said, and he emphasized the need for separation of duties, cross-training and clearly defined responsibilities to manage federally funded programs.

After questions from commissioners about whether the proposed positions and revised job descriptions already existed in the proposed org chart and who would fill them, a commissioner moved to go into executive session "pursuant Bridal code 70Four-two61 B." The board voted in favor and entered executive session. On exiting, a commissioner moved that the board leave executive session "with no decisions being made," and that motion carried as recorded.

Following the executive session, commissioners said they would schedule a job-descriptions workshop the following week to continue work on the reorganization and to address questions raised during the meeting.

No personnel actions, hires, or job reclassifications were finalized in open session; the record indicates the board used executive session to discuss related personnel matters and planned a workshop to further the work.

The transit department and county staff present were asked to identify any likely gaps in structure to avoid deficiencies in the upcoming Federal Transit Administration triennial review and audit.