Two More Fired Workers Sue Bonner County Carrier Says Commissioners’ Actions Could Threaten Insurance Coverage

Two former Bonner County workers who say they were fired illegally have added to the pile of lawsuits leveled at new county Commissioners Larry Allen and Bud Mueller.

At their first meeting Jan. 15, the two commissioners voted to abolish the county building department, fire its eight workers and eliminate jobs for county road supervisor Red Riebe and solid waste director Sid Strauss.

Friday was the last day of work for Riebe and Strauss. They filed their lawsuit the same day, accusing commissioners of holding an illegal meeting when they ousted employees and axed the building department.

Riebe and Strauss want back pay and more than $10,000 in damages.

It’s the fourth legal complaint leveled at commissioners. All the complaints, which seek in excess of $10 million from the county, stem from the commissioners’ first meeting.

Riebe and Strauss said their jobs were eliminated in violation of the open meetings law. Commissioners did not post the agenda 48 hours in advance, did not state where the meeting would be held and “conspired” before the meeting to fire them, the complaint says.

That same argument is being used by the eight fired workers in the building department and by a group of bankers, real estate agents and contractors who filed separate lawsuits against the county.

Two home builders also are suing for $1.7 million. Their complaint was filed on behalf of all residents who have paid a building permit fee but have not gotten county inspections or other services promised by the now-defunct building department.

Mueller and Allen, both Republicans, repeatedly have denied any wrongdoing. The decisions were made at a legal public meeting attended by about 100 residents, Allen has said.

Commissioner Dale Van Stone, a Democrat, disagrees. He filed his own complaint claiming the meeting was illegal.

Commissioners planned the firings and abolishment of the building department before the public meeting, Van Stone said, calling it a “done deal.”

While the flurry of lawsuits has not fazed Mueller and Allen, it has the county’s insurance carrier, Idaho Counties Risk Management Program, worried.

With such radical decisions, Van Stone said, it’s possible the county will be deemed high-risk and its insurance coverage dropped. Last week, the insurance carrier sent a notice to the county saying that if workers are fired without following proper county policies, the county may be left without insurance coverage.

“Insurance will not stand to answer for actions which a public official takes knowing or reasonably expecting that damages could follow,” the notice said.

, DataTimes