Bonner County reads apology tied to Bowman settlement; public raises constitutional and transparency concerns

The Bonner County Board of County Commissioners read a press-release statement at the meeting that, according to the board, had been included in a settlement agreement related to the earlier arrest and trespass of public commenter Dave Bowman. The board said the statement was part of a legal resolution; the county read the apology in open session and made copies available.

The apology text, read aloud by a commissioner, states that on Jan. 26, 2024 the then-chair "unilaterally and unlawfully trespassed Dave Bowman from a public meeting" and describes subsequent actions that led to arrest and criminal charges that were later dropped by the Bonner County Prosecutor's Office. The read statement said the county apologized to Bowman for his "illegal and unlawful treatment" and reaffirmed the county's commitment to constitutional rights.

That reading prompted extended public comment. Dave Bowman, who spoke during public comment, disputed characterizations made about him in past public statements by former commissioners and described his arrests as unlawful. "I never threatened anyone ever," Bowman said. He described the events leading to his arrests, criticized prior officials and local law-enforcement responses, and said he pursued legal redress to restore his rights.

Multiple members of the public echoed Bowman, calling the arrests and earlier public statements by county leaders and others an abuse of power and demanding accountability. Susan Bowman said the incident and subsequent handling demonstrated erosion of constitutional protections and urged vigilance. Several commenters asked where settlement dollars originated and whether the county had acted appropriately; meeting officials said the county's disclosure obligations limited what details could be discussed publicly but identified the fund type that paid the settlement as the county's civil litigation budget.

Commissioners and county counsel repeatedly emphasized the reading occurred because it was part of a settlement requirement and noted legal limits on what the board could disclose about settlement negotiations. One commissioner said legal counsel advised that the board must disclose the settlement amount and the press-release text under the terms of the settlement.

Public comment included calls for resignations, questions about residency and recusal, and requests for better oversight of county officials. The meeting record also included updates from commissioners on other items—Camp Bay Trail easement review, comprehensive-plan workshops, and fairboard utility billing—but public attention largely focused on the apology and the county's prior handling of the Bowman matter.

The board did not take any additional formal vote tied to the apology reading during this meeting; the reading was presented as the action required by the settlement agreement and the board moved on to other agenda items.