BOCC alters code of conduct for meetings

By Soncirey Mitchell
Reader Staff

In response to the now-routine hostility between county elected officials, employees and members of the public during the Bonner County board of commissioners’ meetings, the board reinforced and altered its code of conduct going forward at the Dec. 19 regular business meeting.

Chair Luke Omodt instituted the first change, stating that “the chair will no longer entertain public comment on agendized items,” due especially to negative statements directed at the Clerk’s Office at its Dec. 12 meeting. Members of the public can instead submit questions prior to the meetings, which the commissioners will ask on their behalf.

“The employees of Bonner County are invaluable to our organization. For months our employees have been subjected to abuse, misstatements and lies about their character, service and conduct at the weekly business meetings. Not any more,” Omodt wrote in a statement Dec. 19 and shared with the Reader.

The bulk of the “abuse” has stemmed from the controversy over the issue of fraud at the Bonner County Fairgrounds and current audit, though many issues — from county spending to the use of coarse language — have elicited strong reactions during the meetings.

Bonner County Commissioners Luke Omodt, left; Asia Williams, center; and Steve Bradshaw, right. Photo by Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey.

Audience members will still have the opportunity to speak during the scheduled public comment section, which, as of Dec. 19, now occurs at the very end of the meeting after the commissioner reports. 

The first action item was a motion by Omodt to adopt a set of 10 standing rules — many of which reinforce pre-existing meeting regulations — which he stated in the Dec. 19 email will be “vigorously enforced.” 

Building on his decision to limit public comment, rule No. 7 states that, “Under no circumstances will attacks against a member or their motivation be considered appropriate. Debate against or for the question/motion must be confined to the merits of the motion.” 

The standing rules further clarify the duties of the sergeant at arms and limit debate on motions to “twice per speaker and five minutes per time,” unless altered by a majority vote.

Omodt’s motion to adopt the standing rules passed with Commissioner Asia Williams dissenting.

A complete list of the BOCC standing rules is as follows:

‘Standing Rules for Meetings of the Bonner County Board of Commissioners’

1. All items to be agendized for the regularly scheduled business meeting will follow the BOCC Meeting Agenda Submission Procedure. Action items without an attached memorandum with a written motion will not be considered.

2. The chair presides over the meeting and will conduct meetings in accordance with state statute, county ordinance and the standing rules. The chair is responsible for enforcing the rules and designating who is to speak at any given time. The sergeant at arms will assist with enforcing the rules.

3. All remarks will be addressed through the chair to include the BOCC, elected officials and their deputies, employees, and members of the public.

4. There will be no debate on discussion items or motions without a second.

5. Debate on all motions will be limited to twice per speaker and five minutes per time; debate can be extended or limited by a majority vote of the BOCC.

6. Remarks will be confined to the merits of the pending question (motion); remarks must be germane to the motion on the floor.

7. When a question (motion) is pending, the proposed motion, not the member, is the subject of debate. Personal or ad hominem attacks will be considered out of order. Under no circumstances will attacks against a member or their motivation be considered appropriate. Debate against or for the question/motion must be confined to the merits of the motion.

8. Any ruling of the chair can be appealed and overturned with a majority vote.

9. The National Association of Counties The Right Way to Run a Meeting Guide is the reference for meeting norms.

10. These rules are not and cannot be the totality of all BOCC activity. Federal law, state law and relevant county ordinances may also be applicable to BOCC matters.