SANDPOINT — Several months after a chain of meetings that contradicted Bonner County’s fair board and its role with the county, the two entities met to discuss a legal opinion highlighting the responsibilities of both parties.   

The meeting was primarily to give the two sides a chance to talk, with no official motions or adoptions.  

Although the legal opinion was referenced and partially explained, the multi-paged opinion was not fully disclosed in the meeting. However, both boards discussed a potential memorandum of understanding that would clearly outline the legal opinion of the board’s roles to make things consistent for existing and new board members.  

Kootenai County utilizes several MOUs between its county and fair board, providing a clear understanding of roles entrusted to each entity as it pertains to fair services and county responsibilities.  

“What can we do to get something in place, an agreement between the boards, so that we can move forward with peace of mind, knowing that we have a clear path forward without being pulled backwards, sideways, and every other direction each year,” Fair Board chairman Ben Wood asked county commissioners. 

In agreement to consider an MOU, the fair board plans to review Kootenai’s documents and decide if that is the best path forward for providing clear operations. If the board decides to draft an MOU and have it reviewed by legal counsel, Robert Abel, the agreement would be presented to the board of county commissioners for approval.  

The MOU would establish simple answers to complex questions, helping the entities to understand the roles of each board and decision-making authority for discussions related to day-to-day operations, budget approval, major contracts and staffing, among other applicable topics.  

“I’m agreeable to an MOU if it aligns with the legal opinion that we have. I want to have things that are clear and consistent. I can see where coming in as a new commissioner, I would have found it helpful to have a single document to go to and understand,” Commissioner Brian Domke said. 

The boards also verbally supported moving toward quarterly financial reporting from the fair board to the BOCC and agreed to investigate clarification on how spending should flow through the county’s financial system and administrative versus board-vote decisions. 

A legal opinion was originally sought by Domke after a series of special meetings created a lack of clarity in the county’s role in assisting the fair board and employees.