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Clearwater County commissioners accept $3,000 sheriff donation; motion to fund E911 employee gifts fails 4–0
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting the Clearwater County Board of Commissioners accepted a $3,000 donation for the sheriff's office, authorized auditor payments, approved the agenda and minutes, and rejected a motion to pay employee gifts from E911 funds by a 0–4 vote; a policy on such purchases will be drafted.
The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on Feb. 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Vice‑Chairman Emmel presiding; Commissioners Larson, Dukek and Ramsrud were present and Chairman Mark Titera was absent. The Board approved the agenda and the Feb. 10 minutes and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Dukek moved and Commissioner Ramsrud seconded a motion to accept a $3,000 donation from the TEAM Foundation for the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office to purchase handheld thermal imagers; the motion carried and the donation was accepted. The Board also authorized the county auditor to pay submitted invoices of $61,469.53 from the County Revenue Fund and $4,273.79 from the Public Health Fund after Commissioner Ramsrud moved and Commissioner Larson seconded that motion; that motion carried.
In a contested item, Commissioner Dukek moved and Commissioner Larson seconded a motion to authorize payment of tokens of appreciation for gifts purchased for employees using E911 funds. The motion text, as recorded in the minutes, notes it was made "against the advice and direction of our Auditors at Hoffman, Phillip, & Martell, PLLC." The motion failed with a recorded tally of Ayes 0, Nays 4, Absent 1. The Board directed that a policy will be implemented prior to any further purchases of this type.
The meeting record includes a claims list of vendor payments over $2,000. Notable entries include Clearwater County Auditor‑Treasurer ($103,452.31), St. Joseph's Community Health ($102,626.16), Prime Health ($88,898.70), Clearwater Co Public Health ($59,500.67) and a $57,600 payment to BNSF Railway Company; the record also notes 159 vendors paid under $2,000 totaling $67,091.79.
The Board adjourned at 10:54 a.m. on a motion by Commissioner Larson, seconded by Commissioner Dukek. The minutes are dated March 10, 2026, and bear the names Lori Lewis, Board Coordinator, and Chairman Mark Titera (Titera listed as absent for the meeting).
