1. Call to Order at 6:31pm

2. Invocation by Doug Paterson

3. Pledge of Allegiance led by Scott Herndon

4. Roll Call:  Present:  25   Absent:  10   Proxies:  (3) Cornel Rasor, Kathy Nash, Rick Kirshner   Percent:  71% (33%req)  Excused absences Cornel Rasor, Mark Sauter, Tom Bokowy, Tanner Linton

5. Announcements:

 Sign up for email updates online at BonnerGOP.org.

6. Approval of Agenda:

 Agenda approved by unanimous consent.

7. Approval of meeting minutes of 2/18/25:

 Regular meeting minutes of 2/18/25 approved by unanimous consent.

 Minutes are now posted on the website.

8. PC Reports/Announcements:  

 Ann Chamberlain, Blue Lake PC, reported that HB78, HB339, passed the house and are bad election bills and need to be voted down in Senate.  HB181 a wireless bill  is coming up for vote is a bad bill and we should encourage our reps to vote no.

9. Report of The Chair:  

 HJR1 – “The right of the people to educate their children without government regulation outside of the public schools of the state shall not be infringed.”  Amendment to the Idaho Constitution needed 47 votes to pass.  The bill failed by 1 vote.  Mark Sauter voted against.

 HB376 which would protect your right to carry your firearm on all public property that normally & habitually is open to public passed by 56 -10.  Now awaiting hearing in senate.  Mark Sauter voted against.

 Senate Bill 1031 which changed language to state that public health can only undertake those actions that are necessary and reasonable for preserving and protecting public health and preventative health as supported by scientific evidence.  The bill passed the house yesterday and is on Governor’s desk.

10. Presentation by Thomas Fletcher, Panhandle Health District Chairman regarding the role of the Health Districts and changes that are being considered.  Encouraged people to attend meeting  for Panhandle Public Health Strategic Planning on Saturday, May 10, 9:30am – 3pm at Kootenai County Building conference room on ground floor on Government Way.  Thursday, March 20  board meeting will discuss modification of vaccine schedule and informed consent language. Kootenai conference room located on the 2nd floor of the Hayden Panhandle Health District Building. (8500 N. Atlas Rd. Hayden ID 83835).

11. Elected Representative Reports:

 Mike Rosedale, Clerk, reported candidate filing deadline is this Friday, March 21, 2025.  For districts with only one candidate or an unchallenged incumbent, no election will be held. There are three library districts and the health district with at-large seats up for election.  It takes 5 signatures to file, but Mike advises to get 10 in case verification problems.  As of now there are no hot elections and some have no candidates.

 Clorissa Koster, Treasurer, reported that the ambulance district has paid back in full the first draw.  The accrued interest is just under $7300.  No further draw needed at this time.

 Brian Domke, Commissioner, reported that BC EMS has officially returned to Bonner County Ambulance Service District.  Currently they are working on a long-term plan for financial stability and financially neutral.  Also working to put in place a legal structure to maintain the district as an independent tax district.  We are working to develop a good relationship and dialogue with the Fair Board.  There are challenges with financial accountability and how they can move forward with long range planning regarding both infrastructure and use.  Planning Commission is finalizing recommendations for updates to comprehensive plan over the next month.  Public workshops with then be held on recommendations. After concluding the workshops, recommendations will be brought forward to the commissioners.

 Merlin Glass, Dover City Council, West Side Fire District Board, New Dover Post Office opens tomorrow.  Reported on the fire district levy.  The primary goal of levy is to provide staff.  Flyers are being sent out.  Base pay for firefighters is around 56k and captains approximately $100k.

 Richard Townsend, Sagle Fire Board, currently we have 1 volunteer who lives at the Bottle Bay Fire Station and who works at Northside.  There will be a levy workshop next Wednesday, March 26 at 4:30pm at Sagle Fire Station on Gun Club Rd.

12. Committee reports:

a. Bylaws committee:  Daniel Vaniman reported that the committee had a submission to change the current BCRCC rule regarding logo and name use be made a part of the committee bylaws.  This would continue the rule beyond the current term.  Lisa will send the change tomorrow.

b. Elections committee:  Kristin Dodd’s committee report was presented to the committee. 

Motion from committee for BCRCC to take a formal public stance against these three Fire District Levies and to reject these efforts to regionalize fire districts and therefore government.  Debate.  

Dave Britton motion to amend to separate levy support and regionalization.  Richard Townsend seconded.  Debate.  Vote:  Aye  12  Nay  14  Amendment fails. 

Richard Townsend motions to postpone vote on the motion until our next regular meeting.  Dave Britton seconded the motion.  Debate.  Vote:  Aye   6   Nay  20  Amendment fails.

Motion to end debate by Doug Paterson.  Second by Ron Korn.  Vote:  Aye 17  Nay 6  Debate ended.

Vote on Motion for BCRCC to take a formal public stance against these three Fire District Levies and to reject these efforts to regionalize fire districts and therefore government. Vote:  Aye  22  Nay  3  Abstain  1  Motion passes.  Chairman will post the vote totals on the Website.  

c. Executive committee:  Scott Herndon stated no report.

d. Fundraising committee:  Julie Lynn reported that the MAGA Celebration was a success raising over $30K and thanked everyone who helped.  Fair Board has opened application for booths.  Single is $95 and $170 for double. 

The committee voted unanimously to pay up to $170. for indoor booth. 

 Community Outreach for precincts:  “MAGA Meet Up” to build community, educate about current ballot items, legislative updates.  Also to build up the people in your area interested in helping with phone calls, door knocking, etc.  Starting in Sagle with the caucus group at Sagle School on April 5, 2 – 4.

 September 13-14 Run for Red Weekend.  Saturday classes for PC, Running for office, campaign manager, etc.  Saturday evening fundraiser.  Sunday family MAGA Country BBQ fun after church.

e. Rules and Resolutions committee:  No report.

f. Search committee: Doug Paterson stated no report.

12. Republican Party Officers:

a. LD1:  No report.

b. LD2:  Asia discussed current school and fire district levies on the May LD2 ballot. There will be a Townhall meeting with all the legislators in Blanchard at Community Center April 19th at 10am.

c.    Treasurer’s Report – Kathy Nash treasurer’s report was sent to committee.  Current bank balance:  $45,632.94.  Motion to pay IDGOP dues of $4802.25 by Dan Vaniman.  Mike Nielsen seconded.  Motion carried.  Kathy is resigning at the end of this month.  Nominees will be taken at next meeting .  

d.    State Committeeman – Dan Vaniman thanked everyone for all that assisted with celebration event.

e.    State Committeewoman – Julie Lynn stated no report.

e.    State Youth Committeewoman – Hannah Herndon thanked everyone for all the help at MAGA event and felt that the event was a success.  She also reported on her research regarding the new Sandpoint pay for parking.

13. Republican Clubs:

a. BCRepublican Women: Anita reported on their April Hot Topics letter writing campaign.  April meeting  will be at Elks club with two representatives from April, Cornel Rasor, and Christian Christensen from Heritage.  May 10th will be a special luncheon event featuring Theo Wold as speaker.

14. Unfinished Business:  none

15. New Business:  none

16. Adjournment:  Mike Nielsen moved to adjourn.  Sean Morgan seconded.  Adjourned at 8:52pm

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Liband

Secretary