Library network to retain Boyles Law Firm

POST FALLS — Community Library Network trustees voted 2-1 Thursday to retain the Boyles Law Firm as the network's legal counsel.

D. Colton Boyles is one of the attorneys being considered for hire by the North Idaho College board of trustees.

Tim Plass and Tom Hanley voted in favor of hiring Boyles. Vanessa Robinson cast the dissenting vote. Katie Blank was not present.

The attorney who previously represented the library network, Katharine Brereton of Lake City Law, LLC, submitted her resignation earlier in the day after the agenda for Thursday’s meeting was amended late Wednesday afternoon to include “disengaging a library attorney” and “engaging a library attorney.”

“This is a disappointing end to the relationship, but the library has a right to employ legal counsel that aligns with its objectives," Brereton said after the meeting Thursday. "In the past week, I've come to understand that's not me."

The move was surprising to some, as it was only first briefly mentioned by the new board chair, Rachelle Ottosen, at the end of the June 15 meeting that the board would seek to replace Brereton.

No request for qualifications process was conducted to select new legal counsel.

"It's a nay because this has just been a rushed situation," Robinson said when casting her vote, adding that no other firms were allowed to participate.

Based in Sandpoint, Boyles was one of five Republican attorneys nominated by members of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee to replace Barry McHugh as Kootenai County Prosecutor. Commissioners selected another candidate. Boyles represented former Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin when she was successfully sued by the Idaho Press Club for improper denial of public records requests.

Brereton said she resigned because she respects the position.

"I wish the library and its staff all the best,” she said.

Visit communitylibrary.net for agendas and meeting information.