March 20, 2018
Re: Bayview Water & Sewer District –
Meeting Agenda
Chairman Doney & Sharon Meyer:
I was able to attend the board meeting
last month and was very disappointed with the following items and especially
the agenda. I have a suggestion I would
like considered and a request for an update regarding a topic discussed at the
February 15, 2018 meeting.
1.
I have pulled the
agenda for the meeting scheduled for March 21, 2018. To prevent unnecessary costs to the district,
I suggest not printing the agendas for those in attendance. After the last meeting, I saw several agendas
torn up and thrown on the ground outside of the community center. Unless the board members plan on cleaning up
the litter, don’t bother. The public can
print these if they are planning on attending meetings. Per the input at the meeting, these agendas
are worthless to the public because there are no talking points to follow your
discussions regarding specific topics.
There were several of us trying to figure out what you all were
discussing, which may have been in the “Consent Agenda” at the beginning. At the February meeting, the board stated the
information (talking / discussion points) are on their agendas, but not on the
public agendas. Why? This only added to confusing the public and
demonstrating the continual lack of transparency from this board.
2.
Per the request
of at least three individuals, including myself, there is no mention of a
monthly balance sheet that the public can review prior to the meeting to better
understand the financial status of the district and ask clarifying questions. Mr. Doney stated he would have to ask for
legal advice to provide such information to the public. It does not appear that this topic is going
to be addressed under the Treasurer’s Report, Old Business or New
Business. Am I to assume that neither of
you have discussed this matter with legal?
Budget information should be on the agenda under the Treasurer’s Report
each month. Oral reports are difficult
to follow and understand if they are not printed allowing the public to follow
along. Am I to assume that the public is
not going to be allowed to know income and expense without having to do a
“Public Records Request” each and every month?
3.
Lastly, I was
publicly scolded and threatened to close the meeting by Mr. Doney for
responding to an individual that interrupted me while I was asking a question to
the board regarding the Treasurer’s Report and providing a line item accounting
of monthly income and expenses as done by most public non-profit organizations. It is the responsibility of the Chair to keep
order at meetings and allowing off topic interruptions of how this board does
not get paid to have the evening meetings, how much time they devote to the
district, how you all have lives that go beyond the district and what a great
job you all are doing, was extremely inappropriate. Unfortunately, these planted / staged
individuals just made matters worse. It is
the responsibility of Mr. Doney, as Chair, to publicly keep order and
professionalism during the meetings and not allow the inappropriateness of such
off-topic interruptions.
In summary, I appreciate that a meeting
was held where those of us that are working during the day could attend. It is unfortunate that there will only be 4
evening meetings per year. Most other
public boards meet evenings to accommodate the public, such as the Kootenai
County Commissioners and Lakes Highway District. I would like to remind this board that you
chose to run for the positions you hold and were elected. Now you are public servants that are supposed
to exhibit transparency and fiscal responsibility to our community and to those
you serve. All I am seeing is the lack
of transparency, lack of fiscal responsibility and blame on the previous board
and employees for the poor decisions currently being made. It is okay to make mistakes, just take
responsibility and be willing to learn and revise decisions as necessary. I see no effort from this board to understand
the water and sewer systems and the reasons behind past operations of an
antiquated system. I think most agree
that improvements are necessary, but within reason and within budget. Before our district is totally bankrupt, please
reevaluate some of the decisions you are making. Please
let me know if this board has any plans to edit the agenda to inform the public
of the actual monthly income and expenses and if any actions will be taken to
better represent the topics of discussion.
Thank you,
Jamie Berube
(208) 683-5138 – Evenings or (509)
838-4651 x 012340 - Days
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