Bonner County commissioners open discussion on a countywide work‑from‑home policy; no action taken

Bonner County commissioners held a substantive discussion about remote work for county employees and agreed the county should adopt a clear policy and approval process, though no ordinance or resolution was proposed.

One commissioner framed the issue around risk and community impact, noting potential insurance and setup costs and that remote positions may reduce local job availability. "When I'm looking at that option, I try to consider what the county has to benefit from that," the commissioner said. Other commissioners highlighted management and collaboration challenges from remote work and expressed support for an exception‑based approval process tied to operational needs.

Suggestions included exploring flexible schedules (for example, 4‑10s or staggered shifts), building an approval process that weighs departmental coverage and customer service, and ensuring equity across staff. Commissioners asked staff to draft a formal policy framework for future consideration.

Why it matters: a countywide work‑from‑home policy could affect recruitment and retention, workplace equity, insurance exposure, and how departments meet hours of operation and customer service standards. The board requested staff time to develop policy options and an approval process.

No vote was taken; commissioners agreed to pursue a draft policy for review at a later meeting.