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Commission Approves Court‑Appointed Attorney Contract with One Dissent
Summary
The board approved a court‑appointed special advocate attorney agreement with Margaret Williams at $225 per hour through Sept. 30, 2026, intended to provide outside counsel when the prosecutor’s office has conflicts; the vote was divided, 2‑1.
The Bonner County Board of Commissioners approved a court‑appointed special advocate attorney agreement with Margaret Williams that sets compensation at $225 per hour through Sept. 30, 2026. County staff described the contract as standard outside counsel to be used when the prosecutor’s office faces conflicts of interest.
The prosecutor’s office presented the agreement and noted the contract pays an hourly rate and allows for statutory allowances and reimbursement of extraordinary expenses consistent with Idaho law cited by staff. Board members asked for a brief explanation of the attorney’s duties and the circumstances in which the county would engage outside counsel; staff said the contract covers cases where conflicts require the county to retain outside counsel.
The motion to approve the agreement was seconded and approved on a roll call vote, with two commissioners voting in favor and one voting against. No additional compensation beyond the contract terms was authorized at the meeting.
Next steps: County staff will finalize the agreement and proceed with implementation; staff also said the agreement was reviewed by auditing and the prosecutor’s office prior to presentation.
