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Bonner County EMS staff call for independent forensic audit amid fears about governance and past financial handling
Summary
Several EMS staff and community members urged clarity on governance and called for an independent forensic and performance audit after claims that restricted EMS funds were used for county-owned capital projects; the county clerk said external audits occurred and prior warnings had been issued.
Multiple Bonner County Ambulance Service District employees and members of the public used the meeting's public-comment time April 15 to urge the board to address long-standing concerns about financial oversight and governance.
Chief Jeff Lindsay and several staff asked the board to clarify comments that had circulated suggesting the district could be "dissolved." Lindsay said the current structure is operated under Idaho statute (staff referenced "31 3908") and explained that attorneys previously described a path by which the district's governance could be changed: dissolve the existing legal entity and form a new district with an independently elected board. He told the public that attorneys had provided options and recommended placing the matter on a future agenda for formal discussion to remove ambiguity.
Paramedic Lacy Jones and other EMS employees described a history of confusing financial reporting and alleged the district's restricted EMS funds had been used on county-owned capital projects without an authorizing resolution. Jones asked for two separate independent audits: a forensic audit showing where restricted funds were spent and a performance audit reviewing governance and compliance, covering the district from its inception through 2025.
Jones and others also said the clerk's earlier memorandum (June 25, 2024) warned of nearly depleted reserves and that employees had lost trust because of unclear communications about the district's finances. Staff requested unmediated access to financial history so district leadership can better steward resources.
County Clerk Mike Rosdale responded in public comment that the county has been audited externally 'ever since I've been here' and that prior comptroller notices had warned EMS about potential shortfalls. Rosdale urged caution about public accusations and said the unwinding process to separate district governance began about a year and a half ago.
Commissioners and staff said they will place the attorneys' analysis and options on a future agenda so the board can make a clear decision about governance and asset ownership. Several speakers asked the board to commission an independent, external, forensic audit by a firm with no prior relationship to the county and to give district leadership direct access to financial records; commissioners did not decide on that request during the meeting.
