Commissioners to appoint new sewer board members

The Paradise sewer project is at a standstill, partially due to the opposition’s role in eliminating two board members in a recall petition, and because another board member resigned.

With only two board members remaining — Terry Caldwell and Janice Barber — there aren’t enough for the three-person minimum to have a legal quorum, according to Sanders County Commissioner Carol Brooker. Sunny Chase, the board president, and Rick McCollum were recalled by a slim margin in August, a result of a petition filed in February by Cody Lampman, a Paradise resident. Adam Rice resigned earlier in the year and was replaced by Barber. Board member Gary Kelly recently resigned. The board was in the midst of negotiations with Bridger Bischoff for the land for the drain field when the members fell below three. The board met in August with Caldwell, Barber and McCollum. The board meeting scheduled for September 10 was canceled.

Four people have applied for the three positions as of last week: Don Stamm, Janie McFadgen, Cody Lampman and Dewey Arnold. A Paradise resident attempted to prevent the commissioners from appointing replacements and instead having an election, but it failed and the commissioners will interview applicants and appoint replacements around the first week of October, according to Brooker, who added that an election would be perhaps some $5,000. The recall election itself will cost Paradise taxpayers more than $4,000, she said. Bobbi Christenson, Sanders County’s election deputy, said the commissioners will make sure the applicants are qualified and have no conflict of interest. The deadline to submit an application was last Friday.

The term of office for the board members is four years. The terms of Barber and McCollum expire in May of 2022. The slots of Chase, Kelly and Caldwell expire in May of 2024, said Christenson. The applicant appointed to McCollum’s spot would serve out his term until May.

The proposed sewer project has met heavy opposition over the last two years. One contention is the $750,000 rural development loan, which means property owners would have to pay $185 a year in additional taxes for 40 years to repay the loan. Caldwell had hoped to get some money from the American Rescue Plan Act from the state to reduce the loan. Brooker said the county is getting $3.5 million for sewer projects, but she didn’t know if some or any would be used toward the Paradise sewer project.

Caldwell, who ran the August meeting, is anxious for the board to get back to work. “We need to get this thing going,” said Caldwell. “It’s our responsibility to follow through with the commitments that have already been made,” he added. Caldwell would like to have a full board for an October meeting, which he hopes to hold at the Paradise Center.