BOCC examines appointment practices, audit

SANDPOINT — Two of the three Bonner County commissioners — Board Chair Asia Williams and Commissioner Ron Korn — hosted a business meeting Tuesday examining finances, commission appointments, and ongoing concerns. 

A $68,000 contract for a 2024 external financial audit came before the commissioners, who voted down the agreement to give board members time to review the contract. 

Williams asked county staff to bring the item back at the next board meeting and shed light on her perspective on financial auditing. 

“I have a dissenting opinion on staying with the same firm for greater than five years,” Williams said. 

“After the five-year mark of doing it repeatedly, you essentially are just auditing yourselves as the auditor,” said Williams. 

While Bonner County has contracted with Zwygart John & Associates in the past, the firm has not yet performed five years of audits, according to Clerk Michael Rosedale. 

Matt Zoeller, Parks and Waterways director, came before commissioners to share a recommendation to reappoint five members of the Priest Lake Groomer Advisory Board for two-year terms. Both commissioners voted to reappoint Darcie Humphrey, Ben Votava, Jim McReynolds, Dave Spencer and Keith Schofield, but Williams introduced an unofficial change going forward. 

According to Zoeller, the Groomer Advisory Board automatically brings reappointment requests before the BOCC if existing members with expiring terms express interest in serving again. Williams suggested posting open positions at the end of terms to ensure community members are aware of the opportunity to get involved.

“How do we get new people on boards if someone can just be a constant board member?” asked Williams. 

Later in the meeting, Williams told attendees that, going forward, open positions on county commissions and advisory boards would be announced at BOCC business meetings to spread the word. 

“We're going to start to say that out loud here so people know how to participate,” said Williams. 

As part of a recent campaign to improve spending accountability, Williams initiated a discussion about cancelling some credit cards that draw from Bonner County’s funds. 

“I don't believe that the county should have this many cards floating around,” Williams said at Tuesday’s meeting. “When I look at departments like Parks and Recreation or Veteran Services; even the commissioners — why do we need a credit card?” 

Williams said she recognized that it’s important for some county employees to have the flexibility that comes with a credit card but suggested reviewing who holds cards and whether the cards are needed. 

After Korn suggested fielding input from county staff, Williams told attendees she would schedule a workshop regarding credit card distribution.