SANDPOINT, IDAHO – The Bonner County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting Thursday, March 7, 2024, voting to trespass residents Richard Cramer and David Bowman.
Commissioner Luke Omodt previously attempted to trespass the two gentlemen and subsequently Bowman was put under citizen’s arrest by Commissioner Omodt on February 6, 2024, for attending a weekly business meeting.
Commissioner Steven Bradshaw moved to trespass Cramer “from the Bonner County Administration Building for one year starting on January 26, 2024 to January 25, 2025, have the chairman draft and sign a written notice identifying the conduct giving rise to the trespass, provide means to access to necessary county services, and a method to appeal.”
Commissioner Asia Williams read from the opinion written by the legal department and expressed grave concerns about exposing the county to risk. “Doing this is a big mistake and instead formatting the trespass of these individuals the recommendation from counsel was take the opportunity to revoke the previous action and instead ask them to return to the meetings in a polite and respectful manner. We already are [at] great risk from previous actions taken against these two, and I would rather see us de-escalate the situation instead of proceeding down this road.”
Williams further explained that she felt Omodt and Bradshaw had a significant conflict of interest as they are named as co-defendants with respect to the trespass and should not be discussing or voting on the subject. Omodt overruled Williams, and Bradshaw called for the vote.
Bradshaw made the same motion against Bowman. Willliams restated that the board has been advised not to move in this direction.
Omodt gave his explanation for his decision, focusing on the safety of the county employees “When people make threats of violence, when they rush the table, when they refuse to follow the lawful statements of the chair.” Omodt then referred to County Ordinance 200.
Williams asked the chair “What was the behavior?” Omodt explained “That will be addressed, written. There will be a …” and proceeded to the vote.
Both motions passed 2-1 with Williams voting against.
Earlier this week, there was a scheduled executive session specifying personnel as the reason, but listed the subject of trespassing Cramer and Bowman. Williams objected to the meeting because the two men are not county employees, and the meeting was improperly noticed. Omodt and Bradshaw, after discussion with Deputy Prosecutor Bill Wilson, rescheduled the meeting.
The county received a notice of tort claim from Cramer on February 26, 2024, naming Luke Omodt, Steve Bradshaw, and Bonner County as defendants.
