***Monday, August 05, 2013, Commissioners met in regular session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.

Commissioners gave the opening invocation and said the Pledge of Allegiance.

9:00 a.m., County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull contacted Commissioners via telephone.

Clerk Glenda Poston joined the meeting.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go into executive session under Idaho Code 67-2345(1)a, to consider hiring an individual agent; and f, to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. Commissioner Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. 9:45 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go out of executive session. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

9:45 a.m., Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals joined the meeting.

9:46 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go into closed session under Idaho Code #31-874. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. 9:55 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go out of closed session. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.  

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to no longer require monthly payments on indigent account 2010-4, but to keep the lien on the property. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to review indigent account 2011-41 in January 2014 for possible monthly reimbursement. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to approve indigent account 2013-24. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer Jenny Fessler, Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen and Bonners Ferry Herald Reporter Laura Roady joined the meeting at 9:55 a.m.

Deputy Clerk Ryals left the meeting at 9:56 a.m.

9:56 a.m., Commissioners continued the meeting to consider the hardship exemption application for Cynthia Williams for parcel #MH65N01W350752A. Present were: Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser, Treasurer Jenny Fessler, Solid Waste Superintendent Claine Skeen, and Bonners Ferry Herald Reporter Laura Roady. Cynthia Williams participated via telephone. The proceedings were recorded.

Chairman Dinning mentioned the hardship exemption hearing had been continued to this date to allow time for Ms. Williams to check with her brother about lowering her rent payment so she could pay her taxes for the current amount owing of $64. Chairman Dinning asked Ms. Williams if her brother could drop her payment by the amount of tax owed for just one month so she could make her payment. Ms. Williams asked if Commissioners would accept a $20 payment this month and she would pay the remainder the following month.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to accept $20 in August 2013 as payment toward year 2012 taxes with the remaining tax amount due in full September 2013 for parcel #MH65N01W350752A. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.   

The meeting to consider the Williams hardship exemption ended at10:05 a.m.

Mr. Skeen discussed the exemption of taxes for the Eagles Organization. Chairman Dinning mentioned churches also don’t pay solid waste fees. The solid waste fee is not a tax, but a fee and the Eagles are generating garbage, according to Treasurer Fessler. It was said the Eagles Organization sold food and beer at the All Class Reunion. Mr. Skeen said this was just brought to his attention. Chairman Dinning asked for time for Commissioners to think about this.

Treasurer Fessler left the meeting at 10:10 a.m.

Mr. Skeen said he discussed the possible reduction of hours for part time employees, and he asked what the scenario with his part time employees would be if this change doesn’t happen. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners would have to take a look at the issue again. Clerk Poston said there is a revenue loss and questioned the cash budget available. Mr. Skeen said part time hours will be 28 hours per week and his original recommendation was to not change anything, but if there’s going to be a change, the gates of the monitored sites could be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. instead 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mr. Skeen said this will affect the Naples site most, but should be okay for Paradise Valley and the junction. Notice needs to get to the public if the hours do change. Chairman Dinning said notice could go out to the public in November if there’s a change. Clerk Poston said if the change doesn’t go into effect, Commissioners will need to sit down and look at the matter again.

Mr. Skeen said he conducted a waste stream study and the total is at 14 tons so the tonnage has increased a bit, but that goes along with summer. Chairman Dinning said the county has tried a patch of roadway with glycerol type material made from biodiesel for dust abatement. The cost is about 11 cents per pound and Commissioners will see if it works as well as calcium chloride. A small section of Fawn Lane was treated and Commissioner Pinkerton paid privately to have his road treated.

Mr. Skeen questioned pay for holiday hours as it relates to his part time employees. Chairman Dinning said that is something Commissioners still need to discuss. Mr. Skeen said he feels with the reduction of hours for part time employees and sites closing for holidays, it affects his part time employees more. Mr. Skeen questioned possibly keeping the manned sites open on holidays.

The meeting with Mr. Skeen ended at 10:18 a.m.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the document from Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) declining the terrorist insurance coverage. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.   

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to adopt Resolution 2013-31. A resolution increasing Veterans Memorial budget due to receipt of unanticipated revenue. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. Resolution 2013-31 reads as follows:

Resolution 2013-31

Increasing Veterans Memorial Budget Due to Receipt of Unanticipated Revenue

               WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, County of Boundary, State of Idaho, did establish an operating budget for the Veterans Memorial Fund for fiscal year 2012-2013; and

               WHEREAS, $3,196.72 has been received from the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) as reimbursement for repairs to Veterans Memorial Hall that was damaged by a vehicle hitting the building; and

               WHEREAS, the Boundary County Commissioners deem it in the best interest of the general public of Boundary County to increase the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Veterans Memorial Budget for that purpose; and

               WHEREAS, the addition of this revenue does not affect the tax levy for Boundary County; and

               WHEREAS, it is appropriate to increase the fiscal year 2012-2013 Veterans Memorial Budget revenue account number 0025-00-0391 and expense account number 25-00-899-00, Capital – Other, in the amount of $3,196.72; and

NOW THEREFORE, upon motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried,

IT IS RESOLVED that the increase to the fiscal year 2012-2013 Veterans Memorial Budget revenue account number 0025-00-0391 and expense account number 25-00-899-00, Capital – Other, in the amount of $3,196.72 is hereby authorized and ordered; and  

               IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk is instructed to deliver certified copies of this resolution to the Boundary County Treasurer and the Boundary County Auditor.

DATED this 5th day of August, 2013

COUNTY OF BOUNDARY

                                                                                          BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                                          s/________________________________              

                                                                                          Dan R. Dinning, Chairman

                                                                                          s/________________________________                     

                                                                                          LeAlan L. Pinkerton, Commissioner

                                                                                          s/________________________________                     

                                                                                          Walt Kirby, Commissioner

ATTEST:

s/__________________________________________________                    

Glenda Poston, Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners

Recorded as instrument #258305

10:25 a.m. Chief Probation Officer Stacy Brown joined the meeting to provide her department report.  The participants in the diversion program are at eight and that is a good number, according to Ms. Brown. Juvenile probation is at 52 with two more juveniles at the adjudication process, and this is not counting juveniles involved with the Copeland fires. Adult supervision is at 76 and misdemeanor adult unsupervised is at 239. Ms. Brown said this is a fluctuating number and could change. Ms. Brown informed Commissioners that annual training in Boise will be soon.

The meeting with Ms. Brown ended at 10:30 a.m.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

Commissioner Pinkerton moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Boundary County Fire Mitigation Management Professional Services Contract Amendment #17 with Inland Forest Management. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously.

10:55 a.m., Boundary County Public Information Officer Mike Meier joined the meeting. Chairman Dinning said there is information that Commissioners would like the public to receive accurately that does not always pertain to an emergency. Mr. Meier said that is what he’s about and he added the good information also needs to get out. It’s better to be ahead and inform the public, according to Mr. Meier. Chairman Dinning said one of the matters to consider is the Restorium. Commissioners are considering increasing the room fees, but the higher increase will only affect new residents coming to the Restorium as of October 1, 2013. There is a lot of misperception about Commissioners selling the Restorium and Commissioners would like to get ahead of that. Mr. Meier said he has already worked closely with Laura Roady at the Bonners Ferry Herald in regards to information. Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Meier what the best way is to communicate to pass along the facts to him. Mr. Meier said once he has the details he would put together a press release, but he would obtain Commissioners’ prior approval before releasing any information.

Commissioner Pinkerton asked about Mr. Meier’s time as it may be beneficial for him to attend some meetings. Mr. Meier said being a public information officer is just a way for him to give back to the community. Commissioner Pinkerton said Commissioners just want the Restorium to become self-sufficient and stand on its own. The Restorium’s budget is $1,220,000 and this year the levy is $391,000 to fund approximately 32 residents. Commissioners would like to increase the cost for incoming residents so the Restorium is paying for itself rather than having the taxpayers fund it. Chairman Dinning said Commissioners do not want to harm the existing residents. Commissioner Pinkerton said there will be a turn over rate that will eventually get caught up. Commissioner Pinkerton mentioned expanding the Restorium has been discussed, but how can it expand if it’s already at a $400,000 per year deficit in operation.

11:02 a.m., Restorium Administrator Karlene Magee and Restorium Board Chairman Larry Dirks joined the meeting to give the departmental report.

Ms. Magee said the Restorium currently has 31 residents and 32 rooms rented. There should be one new resident coming and one daycare participant who utilizes the daycare program once or twice per month. There are three rooms available. Ms. Magee explained the process of contacting future residents and she said there are 15 people on the waiting list, but some have passed away and some haven’t returned her phone calls. Chairman Dinning asked if the rooms start filling up once the calls are placed. Ms. Magee said yes. Ms. Magee said two of the available rooms are open to the same sex as those rooms share a bathroom. Commissioner Pinkerton asked how much time is given before the resident moves in. Ms. Magee said it depends as sometimes it takes some time to get the paperwork done. Ms. Magee said she has also asked for a $100 deposit from a potential resident to show there is intent. Ms. Magee said it’s usually about 10 days from start to finish for paperwork, but some residents can get that completed in one day. Ms. Magee explained what can cause delays in the process, having to do with doctor’s notes and medications, but it’s something that doesn’t happen often.

Clerk Poston said she is waiting for a call back from the county’s insurance company to see if the county is able to cover only the employee’s insurance benefits if they work over the allowed amount of time to be considered part time. Chairman Dinning said some congressmen are saying this health insurance matter is already law so Commissioners are trying to find out. There are also part time Solid Waste Department employees who may have to have a couple hours reduced, but Commissioners are still trying to find out what is going on. This change may be difficult for Ms. Magee a far as scheduling. There won’t be more cost, but the county will need to find more personnel. If some of the part time employees do work over 30 hours, the expenses for insurance doubles for the county.

Mr. Dirks said speaking for himself he couldn’t make a living at 28 hours per week. Those present discussed moving the kitchen manager position into reserves and putting a cook position in the budget.

Mr. Meier said under Obamacare, a 40 hour employee has benefits or has it declined. Chairman Dinning said if county employees fell under Obamacare, costs would increase as then the county would be covering things that aren’t covered currently. It was said Boundary County is probably one of the best benefit counties in the state. The wages aren’t high, but the benefit package should be considered.

Mr. Dirks was informed a 2% cost of living increase was implemented for the new budget and night shift employees will receive an additional 30 cents per hour. There has also been an adjustment for law enforcement officers so they will receive a 4% for the risk.

The meeting with Mr. Dirks and Ms. Magee ended at 11:25 a.m.

Commissioners provided Mr. Meier with the background of the Restorium and discussed what topics he could present to the public to keep the people informed.

The meeting with Mr. Meier ended at 11:55 a.m.

Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m., Commissioners reconvened for the afternoon session with Chairman Dinning, Commissioner Pinkerton, Commissioner Kirby, and Deputy Clerk Michelle Rohrwasser.   

1:30 p.m., Scott Doughty and Steve Groom with Newport Ambulance Service and Boundary County Emergency Services Director Dave Kramer joined the meeting to discuss ambulance service matters. Also present were: Bonners Ferry Herald Reporter Laura Roady, and Boundary Volunteer Ambulance EMT’s Bruce Hartman, Alan Hamilton, Britt Hamilton and Pam Hamilton; and Blue Sky Broadcasting News Reporter Mike Brown.

Mr. Kramer said Boundary County is trying to get something in an agreement for ambulance service so this meeting with Mr. Groom and Mr. Doughty has been set to answer any questions to help or maybe move forward in the process. Mr. Kramer said Commissioners had tasked him to do research and he clarified that he is not a part of the agreement negotiations with Boundary Volunteer Ambulance.

Mr. Groom said Rob Wakeley, Director for Bonner County EMS had suggested he stop by and meet with Boundary County Commissioners. Mr. Groom explained that Newport Ambulance Service is a contract agency with Bonner County EMS and the main service area is Pend Oreille County, Washington. This is a county that is probably the same size and the same population as Boundary County. Mr. Groom said he’s been apprised of some of the issues Boundary County is facing and he isn’t exactly sure what Boundary County is looking for, but he could tell Commissioners how it can work. Mr. Groom said the Boundary Volunteer Ambulance EMT’s approached him before the meeting as to where Newport Ambulance is coming from and they had explained their budget shortfalls. Mr. Groom said he understands the challenges of write-offs, etc. Forming an ambulance district is the right choice, but maybe the way the current ambulance organization presented could’ve been different so relationships could’ve also been different. Mr. Groom explained that Newport Ambulance Service is licensed in Idaho.

Boundary Volunteer Ambulance President Ken Baker joined the meeting at 1:35 p.m.

Mr. Groom said when he spoke to the Boundary Volunteer Ambulance EMT’s he told them that he is not the enemy, but if there is something his organization can help with or if Commissioners decide on a different avenue and encompass an advanced license, he would like to work with Boundary Volunteer Ambulance, who is really the backbone.

Mr. Groom said Boundary Volunteer Ambulance has really good people from what he can see, but planning and strategy may need updating. Mr. Groom discussed the ambulance service working in conjunction with fire departments and when to separate duties between the two organizations, and he said he got the feeling that relationship wouldn’t be approved upon locally, but would be a must if Newport Ambulance Service was a part of this if there is to be success in the long run.

Chairman Dinning asked how Newport Ambulance Service functions as they cover a part of Bonner County. Mr. Groom said his main shop is in Old Town and they will cover the Priest River area and he further explained other areas of coverage. Newport Ambulance Service has a response plan with Bonner County. The Bonner County truck is staffed in Priest River and they can step up and cover the west side of the county. If Newport Ambulance has taken three or four calls in Washington, Bonner County EMS will work for them. This consists of one team from separate agencies. Newport Ambulance Service also has arrangements with two fire departments in that there is basic level service (BLS) transports with fire departments and that is something to benefit from, according to Mr. Groom.

Commissioner Pinkerton said with Pend Oreille County Newport Ambulance Service is the sole provider for two-thirds of that county. Mr. Groom discussed details such as there are approximately 1,400 primary calls and of that approximately 400 are transfers and last year there were 980 911 transfers (hospital inter-facility). Commissioner Pinkerton asked who operates Newport Ambulance Service’s billing system. Mr. Groom said their billing is done in-house, but at one point Newport Ambulance Service did take a look at a billing service and it just about put them out of business so they brought billing back in-house.

Commissioner Pinkerton asked if Newport Ambulance Service only responds from their Old Town location. Mr. Groom said that is their site and they staff two crews. There are quite a few part-time employees and Mr. Groom explained the paramedics and Life Flight paramedics. There is one paramedic and a couple of EMT’s on site. Commissioner Pinkerton asked if there are response time requirements and Mr. Groom presented a document from Washington State that may answer Commissioners’ questions. Newport Ambulance Service is classified as rural EMS so they have up to 45 minutes. In Idaho radio calls have to be answered within one minute or another agency will be called, according to Mr. Groom. Mr. Groom said Newport Ambulance Service’s time is approximately two and one-half minutes from the page to the time the tires are turning.

Those present discussed time frames for response and Mr. Groom explained how fire departments can come in to assist and help administer first aid to be a filler of care to help save lives. Chairman Dinning briefly questioned if the fire departments were districts. Mr. Groom said Newport Ambulance has relationships with the fire departments and if they didn’t have these relationships, there would be a very angry community. Mr. Groom said Newport Ambulance Service will go out of their way to foster the fire departments because they are so important to this plan. Mr. Groom said there are no ambulance units housed in the outlying areas and Newport Ambulance Service doesn’t provide extrication, which is much more appropriate with the fire departments. Ambulance personnel should be with the ambulance and include the help of other agencies to be a team. It was asked how many calls Newport Ambulance Service gets other than inter-transfers to hospitals. Mr. Groom said they receive a little more than 800 calls. Two ambulance units responding to one location is still considered one call, according to Mr. Groom.

Mr. Groom said in total the number of personnel is 28 and that includes rotating out. Some of the EMT’s also serve Bonner County. Mr. Kramer asked where we are today, being close in size, does most funding come from billing or tax? How much support is received from Pend Oreille County? Mr. Groom said there is no funding received from Pend Oreille County as funding is all accounts receivable. Newport Ambulance Service receives $25,000 annually from Bonner County EMS to provide coverage for them and if Bonner County needs an area staffed, they will pay on top of the $25,000.

Commissioner Pinkerton asked if Newport Ambulance Service performs standby services, and Mr. Groom said yes. Newport Ambulance Service started asking for compensation from their local school district last year, standbys for rodeo events and the county fair have been provided for free and it’s been chalked up as free advertising. The only billables are if someone at a rodeo gets hurt or if someone is ill. Standby services at boat races are charged minimally.

Chairman Dinning asked Mr. Groom if there are any details that Commissioners are missing. Mr. Groom said he would really like to get across how difficult operating an ambulance service is without tax support because of write-offs. Medicare and copays involved retrieve 55% of where the fee would be. If people have met their deductibles, private insurances pay well, but if not, it’s then considered private pay and sometimes people don’t have the money so Newport Ambulance Service simply doesn’t get paid. Newport Ambulance Service uses three different collection agencies to see who is best, and that was not very successful, according to Mr. Groom. Mr. Groom said he would say Newport Ambulance Service receives approximately 45% of accounts billed. If the patients were all Medicare aged people, Newport Ambulance Service would receive closer to 60%. Bonner County pays Newport Ambulance Service $25,000 and then billings are received in addition to that.

Newport Ambulance Service doesn’t receive taxes, but that is something Pend Oreille County is currently looking into. Billing doesn’t really meet the requirements for funding maintenance, etc. Mr. Doughty said Medicare sets billing. If you have a paramedic who comes to a house and doesn’t provide paramedic treatment, the run is billed differently. One gross handicap is operating costs as medication costs increase and vendors charge more, but ambulance services are getting paid less. There is a base fee assigned to a call, no matter if the call is advanced life support (ALS) or basic life support (BLS) to start with and it’s rare to get 60% of the cost.

Chairman Dinning said Newport Ambulance Service has four ambulance units, 28 staff members with eight being full time, and they operate on billings and $25,000. On top of that Newport Ambulance Service is paying $1,000 per month for a lease on a facility. Mr. Groom said after adding telephones and utilities the cost totals approximately $2,000 per month.

Mr. Groom said his goal is to see what Boundary County needs and he is not opposed to help step in as Bonner County has asked. Mr. Groom said he doesn’t want Boundary Volunteer Ambulance President Ken Baker and some of the people in their office to take him as a threat because he is not. Mr. Groom said he will keep Boundary Volunteer Ambulance apprised of his decision to assist Boundary County and if he is involved in providing services, he would have teamwork with Boundary Volunteer Ambulance as well as bring in the fire service.

Mr. Groom said he created a tree to explain the levels and types of service provided to include hospital, ambulance, fire, law enforcement, etc., and it may be that it’s not only the ambulance to get the funding as it may also be the fire department.

Britt Hamilton referenced utilizing fire departments and extrication and he asked if fire personnel are a part of Newport Ambulance Service or not, if they are trained by them. Mr. Groom said the fire fighters are a part of their own fire district. President Baker said Boundary Volunteer Ambulances are housed in the fire stations and training is provided. There are also EMT’s that are fire fighters and that is why ambulance service is a part of the Fire Chief’s Association. Ambulance units are housed in the fire departments as per mutual aid agreements.

Chairman Dinning asked how many of Newport’s calls are BLS. Mr. Groom said he doesn’t really break them down much, but approximately one-quarter of the calls are true BLS or less.

Mr. Kramer said when he knew Mr. Groom was coming to meet with Commissioners he felt it would be a learning opportunity. Mr. Groom complimented Boundary Volunteer Ambulance and encouraged Commissioners to continue working with them. Commissioners questioned if Newport Ambulance Service funding is strictly from 911 calls and if they are operating on a deficit. Mr. Groom said no, but they are on the border and he hopes Newport Ambulance Service doesn’t have to challenge that. If there is a loss in call volume, Mr. Groom said he would have to consider shutting down. Mr. Groom said he has had conversations with two running candidates about an ambulance district. Boundary County Commissioners have done a good thing in forming a district because it takes the fear of funding issues out, according to Mr. Groom.

Commissioner Kirby said there is a gap in what the county has and what it needs. Mr. Groom said you can’t take an EMT put them through a course, then put them out there as he or she needs a few years under his or her belt. Rural areas need the paramedics as there is only one hospital. It was questioned if it’s more difficult providing advanced life support (ALS) or basic life support (BLS).

Commissioner Kirby asked how Commissioners get to where they need to go. Mr. Groom said he’s been through this twice and with all due respect to take the request for proposals and throw them away. Mr. Groom said to have everyone come to the table and figure out where to get to with the funding that is available. Commissioner Kirby said money doesn’t do it. Mr. Groom voiced the importance of teamwork and said you have to have the reins to drive the horse where you want it to go, but you also have to have the foundation and funding. So now that funding is in hand there has to be teamwork. There will be a ton of growing pains and hard feelings, but it’s one of those things and the focus is to say we’re going to learn and grow, according to Mr. Groom.

Mr. Groom mentioned operating at the ALS level on a day to day basis without receiving public dollars and once getting the initial investment of cardiac machines, etc., operating day to day is probably similar comparing ALS and BLS. Somewhere in middle that dollar amount can be the justification in stretching service to the next level, according to Mr. Groom. Reimbursement under ALS is better than BLS.

Commissioner Kirby said if Boundary County is ready to go ALS, would $60,000 per year get it done? Mr. Groom said no as to schedule one full time EMT and a paramedic 24 hours per day including employment taxes, it’s closer to $380,000 to $420,000. An organization can mix the billables with outside funding and make a decision. The actual amount billed is approximately $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 and out of $380,000, $152,000 is money coming in from those people who do pay. Mr. Groom said it’s a variable figure based on overtime, etc., and he discussed a run and staffing to cover.

Chairman Dinning said Boundary County’s best figure is approximately 70 ALS transports. Mr. Baker said there were probably 125 ALS and 75 BLS runs. Chairman Dinning asked if that is a large enough volume as Medstar or Life Flight can take a lot of that volume. Commissioners asked if those 70 ALS calls that are not covered by a helicopter are enough to justify operating at the ALS level. Mr. Groom said if the service can save one life, what’s it worth? Without knowing Medicaid or private pay there is no way of breaking it down. Mr. Kramer said the 70 or so ALS calls are just transfers from the hospital.

Newport Ambulance Service is a private non-profit and it has grown into providing ALS service without private funds, yet, according to Mr. Groom.  Commissioners asked if Newport Ambulance Service has been successful at this rate and Mr. Groom said yes, it’s been a struggle though. Having a district is a smart way to go, according to Mr. Groom. When Bonner County formed their district they based it on having advanced life support. The fire department had their hands out and fought for two years on requests for proposals, according to Mr. Groom. Boundary County is fortunate in being smaller. Fire departments also had their hand out so Bonner County formed its own district because it was chaos.

Chairman Dinning asked if the scenario would work in that there could be contact with fire districts and be able to service other areas other than one that covers in totality. How does the county mandate a relationship? Mr. Groom said he’s been spoiled in his agency’s relationship. It’s taken years to teach fire fighters and to encourage them, and it’s a relationship that’s a benefit to everyone. Commissioners can say what standards they want for service so how do the agencies get the county there instead of going out for request for proposals. Mr. Groom said the county wouldn’t be running the services, but could endorse it. Teamwork is the best asset, according to Mr. Groom.

Mr. Kramer said he hasn’t spoken to Boundary Volunteer Ambulance as that is not what he has been tasked with, but he hopes something can work out going forward.

Commissioner Kirby asked how to get from the current stage to reach the goal. It was said it takes a considerable amount of time to get to the paramedic level. To be successful the paramedic has to have someone to work under and it could take a year of doing that. There has to be a medic that’s been active for awhile to bounce ideas off of. Commissioner Kirby said he doesn’t want to put someone in a position they can’t meet. Commissioner Kirby said the EMT’s are knowledgeable and he is not interested in what they know.

Commissioner Kirby said we’ve got to figure out some way to take a meager amount of money from the tax district and make it last for three years and to give Boundary Volunteer Ambulance enough money to keep operating. Commissioner Kirby said he can’t believe it will take such a large amount of money for Boundary Volunteer Ambulance to get the job done as they’ve been providing a service for a long time and have some money in the bank. Commissioner Kirby mentioned having a better bookkeeping system then years ago. Commissioner Kirby said just because there are district dollars, the county needs to know what the ambulance service needs. Mr. Groom added that it’s the simple responsibility that comes with it. That is what has been attempted to get across. It was said that what has been done in the 1990’s is different than today. Mr. Groom said he won’t go bankrupt without county money. In Washington State write-offs are bad enough to help fund repairs, so Newport Ambulance Service works within their budget. It was said there are differences in equipment for those departments with taxing dollars.

Mr. Hartman asked if Newport Ambulance Service has been receiving $25,000 for a long time. Mr. Groom said his ambulance service has received this funding for two years and before that it was just accounts receivable. Mr. Groom said he’s confident Boundary County will get there, but there is a lot to get through.

The meeting with Mr. Groom and Mr. Doughty ended at 2:35 p.m.

2:45 p.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go into executive session under Idaho Code 67-2345(1) a, to consider hiring an individual agent. Commissioner Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. 4:10 p.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go out of executive session. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously. No action was taken.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

Commissioner Kirby moved to approve the minutes of July 29 & 30, 2013. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioners tended to administrative duties.

Clerk Poston, Mr. Kramer and Newport Ambulance Service members Steve Groom and Scott Doughty joined the meeting. County Attorney Tevis Hull joined the meeting via telephone.

4:20 p.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go into executive session under Idaho Code #67-2345(1)a, to consider hiring an individual agent. Commissioner Kirby second. Commissioners voted as follows:  Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. Motion passed unanimously. 5:30 p.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go into executive session. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. No action was taken. 

5:35 p.m., There being no further business, the meeting recessed until the special meeting to be held on Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 9:00 a.m.  

***Thursday, August 08, 2013, 9:00 a.m., Commissioners met in special session with Chairman Dan Dinning, Commissioner LeAlan Pinkerton, Commissioner Walt Kirby, Clerk Glenda Poston, Deputy Clerk Nancy Ryals, and County Civil Attorney Tevis Hull via telephone for the purpose of participating in an executive session. Attorney Hull stated that it should be noted discussion is to be held regarding ambulance and airport. A public notice was posted for the special session and the media was notified.

9:00 a.m., Commissioner Kirby moved to go into executive session under Idaho Code 67-2345(1)a, to consider hiring an individual agent; and f, to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. Commissioner Pinkerton second. Commissioners voted as follows: Chairman Dinning “aye”, Commissioner Pinkerton “aye” and Commissioner Kirby “aye”. 10:05 a.m., Commissioner Pinkerton moved to go out of executive session. Commissioner Kirby second. Motion passed unanimously. No action was taken.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.

                                                            /s/

                                                            DAN R. DINNING, Chairman

ATTEST:

/s/

GLENDA POSTON, Clerk

By: Michelle Rohrwasser, Deputy Clerk