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Commissioners amend consent agenda, remove two sheriff procurement items and approve claims; travel reimbursement rules questioned
Summary
The board removed two sheriff procurement items from the consent agenda pending legal/risk review, clarified travel-reimbursement practice for conferences, and approved county claims and EMS claims batches. Commissioners asked for clearer notation on procurement items that rely on cooperative purchase exceptions to competitive bidding.
Bonner County commissioners amended the consent agenda to remove two sheriff procurement items while staff and legal clarified whether the purchases had been reviewed by legal and risk. The board also debated travel-reimbursement practice for commissioners attending conferences and approved county claims and EMS claims batches.
Commissioner Corn flagged a travel request on the consent agenda that appeared to add two extra days for a midwinter conference and asked how the county reimburses travel. Clerk Rosedale and legal counsel explained that reimbursement is based on the least‑cost method (airfare versus driving plus mileage/parking) and that, historically, commissioners traveling to an out‑of‑town conference often travel the day before so they can be fresh for an early start. The board requested clearer notation on travel forms to show when exceptions apply and to ensure auditing and payroll apply the “least cost” rule consistently.
The board also questioned two sheriff’s office consent items: one for $84,211 and another for $9,057.38. Commissioner Corn said the consent item forms didn’t show legal or risk review and asked for confirmation. County legal counsel Bill Wilson said the sheriff’s procurement typically uses cooperative purchasing agreements or federal negotiated contracts (such as GSA) that are exceptions to competitive bidding statutes. Wilson said he had discussed the items with Sheriff's Office staff and that the sheriff was comfortable postponing approval for a week while a contractual “wrinkle” was resolved.
Commissioner Corn moved to remove the two sheriff items from the consent agenda; the board approved that amendment. The board then approved the amended consent agenda and proceeded to take up claims. County staff presented fiscal‑year‑25 County claims batch no. 11 totaling $467,997.36, and the board approved payment. The board also approved FY25 EMS claims batch no. 11 totaling $9,878.28.
Separately on the consent calendar, the board approved a five‑year renewal of a snowmobile master challenge cost‑share agreement among Idaho Parks and Recreation, the U.S. Forest Service and Bonner County. Parks and Waterways staff clarified that the state snowmobile fund (from snowmobile registration stickers) funds grooming and operations and that the county’s cost is administrative.
Separately, the board approved the final plat for Cedar Park, 2nd Edition (file S0002‑22), a subdivision that divides a 17.51‑acre parcel into 35 residential lots and one utility tract; staff said required conditions and easements are shown on the final plat.
No ordinance or new procurement was approved for the sheriff at this meeting; staff will return the sheriff items for further review.
