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SANDPOINT — Commissioners have opted to delay a vote on a resolution that would ban mask mandates in Bonner County until next week.

In the resolution, Commissioner Steven Bradshaw said masks are unconstitutional and that efforts to force people to wear them are not legal.

Because not all commissioners were present, Bradshaw and fellow commissioner Jeff Connolly voted Tuesday to delay action until commission Chairman Dan McDonald was present.

After Bradshaw introduced the resolution, Connolly asked him to explain the resolution, saying it felt political in nature.

“[It] seems political to me, especially being as where you’re sitting, probably taking on the current governor,” Connolly said. “It just seems like this is a repeat of what we’ve said we would do.”

Bradshaw, who is a candidate in the 2022 gubernatorial race, disputed that characterization.

“I feel like it’s the right thing to do,” he said. “It’s not a political move, it’s just something that I think should be done.”

Bradshaw said the resolution is aimed at preventing implementation of a mask mandate in the county.

“No governor, in any state, has the authority to suspend the Constitution, and any attempt by a governor to suspend Constitutional rights is an act of lawlessness and a violation of his/her oath of office,” he said.

Bradshaw said he drew upon the ideas found in the United States and Idaho constitutions as well as the Declaration of Independence.

“I think the masks should be your choice, not somebody else's,” said Bradshaw on Tuesday, “you have your right to choose who you’re going to get medical treatment for, and what treatment you want.”

Even though the resolution is not proposing any new rules, it is reinforcing the opposition of the county against a mask mandate.

“It’s just to reiterate that this country was built on a certain amount of inalienable rights that are not to be infringed on. It’s about protecting the people, not controlling the people.”

Commissioner Jeff Connolly, who was the only other commissioner in attendance, expressed some concerns about the resolution not being completely clear on what the purpose it serves.

“I’m literally just trying to get my head wrapped around what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “I agree with nearly all of it except for when you call out the current governor. Basically what you’re saying is that we’re unconstitutional by the current governor. I’m not sure I’m going to step up and agree to that.”

Connolly said that under new state regulations, in order for Bonner County to implement a mask mandate, Panhandle Health would need to submit a proposal to commissioners, who would then vote to either approve or deny the motion.

“I would think that rather than having a pre-decided ‘we won't ever do that’ we would listen to the conversation from both sides and then I’ll do my job, which is to vote on what it is,” said Connolly, “Then I’ll be judged by the people of the county whether they like it or not.”

Connolly said he would not be voting for the resolution because it was “unneeded,” leaving the commissioners in a stalemate.

“That leaves us in a situation,” Connolly told Bradshaw, “because you’re going to be voting yes, and I’m going to be voting no.”

Jessi Webster, business operations manager for the commissioners office, recommended the board wait until all three members were present.

“My recommendation would be to table this until Commissioner McDonald is available,” she said, speaking from the front row of the audience. “I mean that’s why there’s three commissioners.”

Connolly and Bradshaw agreed to table the resolution until next week’s meeting on Sept. 7.

To view a recording of the commissioners meeting, go to the Bonner County YouTube channel.