Bonner commissioners weigh options for PHD board spot

SANDPOINT — Public officials are discussing options for someone to fill the at-large board position at Panhandle Health District following the recent death of Dr. Allen Banks.

County Commissioners from Kootenai, Boundary, Bonner, Benewah and Shoshone counties appoint people to the seven-member board. Bonner County appoints two seats; previous commissioner Glen Bailey is Bonner County’s other appointee.

Bonner County commissioners have received one letter from a hopeful for the position, according to information from commission Chairman Dan McDonald. Commissioners will advertise for the position in the upcoming weeks.

The commissioners also have the option to appoint one of themselves to serve on the health board, as two of the five panhandle counties have done.

“We have a couple of commissioners that are on our board. It’s always really nice to have them and the impact that they have on the board,” Panhandle Health District Director Don Duffy told commissioners on Thursday.

Duffy outlined the procedure of appointing a board member.

“This is your call on this,” Duffy said. “You can either go out and find people or advertise. We get inquiries about (applying for the position), and we’ll just send those up to you. Because it’s not my call, commissioners, this is your call.”

After commissioners select a nominee, they'll pass the name on to Duffy, who will present it to commissioners of the other counties in the health district. If the nominee garners a majority vote, they will be inducted as the new health board appointee.

“It’s as simple as that. You can do what you want on that search,” Duffy said.