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Commissioners rescind older port-authority resolution, reorganize Lincoln County Port Authority board
Summary
On June 9, 2025 Lincoln County commissioners adopted Resolution 2025-25 rescinding Resolution 999 and reorganizing the Lincoln County Port Authority board to up to seven members (one sitting commissioner). The action drew public comment voicing concerns about retroactive effect and representation; the motion passed.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted on June 9, 2025 to adopt Resolution 2025-25, rescinding an earlier resolution (999) and reorganizing the Lincoln County Port Authority (LCPA) board.
The resolution, read at the meeting, states the LCPA board shall be composed of up to seven members appointed by the county commissioners for five-year terms, one of whom shall be a sitting Lincoln County commissioner. The resolution listed current and continuing appointees, including Jerry Bennett, Kevin Peek, Tony Patrusia and Chris Bachi, and named Commissioner Brent Tesy as the sitting county commissioner on the board.
Public comment at the hearing included objections about representation and legal effect. Dan Porus asked why the rules were changing and argued the Port Authority land had been given to Lincoln County rather than Libby and questioned reduced local representation for Troy and Eureka. Ann German, speaking as an attorney, urged legal review and warned the resolution’s language — that this resolution "shall prevail if it's in conflict with prior resolutions" — could amount to retroactively rescinding earlier requirements and might shield past departures from prior rules. "You're basically rescending retroactively the prior resolutions rather than just adopting a new resolution," she said. Jerry Bennett, a former town commissioner, supported the change as a return to a workable structure, saying past larger boards had not been productive.
County counsel and an online attorney clarified that the change pertains to board composition and that county commissioners have statutory authority to set the composition of a port authority board. After public comment the board moved, seconded and approved Resolution 2025-25.
Why it matters: The resolution changes governance for the county’s port authority, affecting who is appointed, how representation is structured and how future decisions of the LCPA may be made. Residents raised questions about transparency, appointment versus election of members, and whether the county must ensure compliance with state law.
Next steps: Appointments will proceed per the resolution; county counsel was asked to provide clarification on legal questions raised by commenters.
