Former mayor’s son to receive contact as golf manager

BONNERS FERRY — The city council unanimously approved moving forward with negotiations on a contract to hire Ben Staples and Jennifer Baulne to manage Mirror Lake Golf Course.

Staples is the son of former mayor, Dick Staples, who resigned in September this year due to his son being the parent recommendation for the position. 

“When we first started the process of finding a new manager we formed a steering committee and put out a request for proposal, not realizing that there were state guidelines that had to be followed,” Bonners Ferry Mayor Rick Alonzo said at the Dec. 19  council meeting. “We had to halt the process and start over because those guidelines were not met.” 

The process of selecting a new golf course manager was delayed due to the golf committee going out of bounds and beyond what they were directed to do, city officials said. By a motion of the city council, the committee was to find the “method” of finding a new golf course manager.

However, the committee created a request for proposal and posted it on a PGA job site, without legal posting or approval of the council.

After interviews, the committee recommended Ben Staples and Jennifer Baulne. The move forced his father, Dick Staples, to resign as mayor to prevent violating Idaho’s nepotism laws. The laws prohibit a mayor from hiring or being the direct supervisor of a relative within the second degree; as his son, Ben Staples, is a relative within the first degree. 

Ben Staples and his partner, currently work at JRS Surveying, which is owned by Dick Staples. 

While Dick Staples resigned from the current term he was serving, he did not pull his name as a candidate in the November 2023 election. Since the race was uncontested, there was no mayoral race in 2023 and Staples would then continue into another term. Staples is set to be sworn in as mayor at the first January council meeting. 

He previously told the Herald that Jan. 2, 2024, he will be sworn in the day after his son could take over as golf course manager.

Previously, Staples told the Herald that by resigning until his next term, he believes the conflict of interest will be resolved as he will not be participating in the hiring process and since his son would already be hired prior to his being sworn in. He added that hopefully, the council in his absence would amend the golf manager’s job description to have a different supervisor than the mayor.

Boundary County’s Prosecuting Attorney Andrakay Pluid, who also serves as the city’s legal counsel, was asked if Staples' resignation in lieu of his son’s possible position at the city would still constitute nepotism if Staples still intends to be a candidate for mayor this November.

“The short answer is, I agree that it still violates nepotism, the state statutory prohibition on self-interested contracts, as well as city policy,” Pluid said.

“I have provided that opinion to the now former mayor and council. If the council decides to proceed forward with negotiating a contract with Dick Staples' son, it will require an additional contract provision, which makes the contract terminate immediately if any member of his family within the second degree serves as mayor or council,” Pluid said.

The Herald contacted Garron Cassidy at the Elections Compliance Specialist Office of the Idaho Secretary of State on how the resignation fits into Idaho Code.

After skimming Idaho Code, Cassidy said, there didn’t appear to be anything preventing Staples from running after a family member is hired, but that legal would be contacted for an opinion especially since the resignation of Staples is due to the position his son may hold in the future.

He added, since Staples did not pull his candidacy, he did not resign, but took a “leave of absence.”

The steering committee never made its recommendation to the council, rather Bonners Ferry restarted the process after meeting with legal counsel. 

The city sent out a request for applicants which is a separate process,  Alonzo said at the Dec. 19 city council meeting. A selection group was formed to re-start the process and conduct interviews,

“After reviewing the applications, resumes and proposed business plans of both applicants, the selection group felt that Ben Staples had a good vision and plan on how to operate the golf course and maintain the physical infrastructure of the city,” he said. “He understands this position is a multi-tasked one, not only does the manager run the pro shop, but they have to maintain the grounds and keep the equipment running.” 

Ben Staples has made arrangements with a golf pro to offer lessons and he has an agreement with former employees to return when the golf course opens in spring 2024. 

Five individuals who interviewed the golf course contractor included: John Youngwirth, Mike Klaus, city engineer; Mayor Rick Alonzo, Jimmy Dorhofer and city councilman Ron Smith on Dec. 11. They unanimously recommended Ben Staples and Jennifer Baulne

Per a public records request, both applicants' resumes and business plans were available. 

Per the request for applications, candidates were encouraged, but not required to provide a business plan. One of the preferred, but not required, job experiences was managing a golf course. 

Ben Staples provided a business plan and focus on course improvements, equipment upgrades, upgrading the golf cart fleet in five years, improving the driving range, course beautification, and updates to the clubhouse and kitchen. He added he wants to make the clubhouse a venue in the winter and would be continuing the tradition of the former manager’s Sunday tournaments, annual events and current point system. 

In the short term, Staples and Baulne included advertising the Mirror Lake Golf Course in town, online, and on the highway. This included sponsoring local sport programs and a billboard in town in Sandpoint. He also planned to bring additional merchandise to the clubhouse. 

Long-term goals included increasing revenue though green fees, season passes,  encouraging youth golf programs, using the bar and kitchen year-round, and bringing in golf simulators for winter golf. 

Staples’ past and current work experience includes JRS Surveying. Baulne has been the bookkeeper and secretary at JRS the past 12 years and her skills would transfer over to payroll, expenses, taxes and city reports, the application reads. 

The other applicant, Tory Gatrell, is a certified PGA coach with additional certifications, fluent in Spanish and is currently working at a semi-private resort golf club in Mexico, leading a team of 50 employees with an annual average of 30,000 rounds played. 

In his business plan, he outlined the course’s potential for growth to make MLGC a “comprehensive recreational destination” for locals and tourists. He included course improvements to the grounds, driving range and additional activities such as lessons, a golf academy, full restaurant, pro-shop services, events and tournaments. He proposed targeting non-traditional golfers by way of the driving range, simulated golf for winter use as well and family-friendly activities, such as move nights and night golfing. He focused on diversifying revenue streams with additional activities. 

For an advertising plan, he suggested leveraging social media platforms to showcase instructional videos and gain followers. Gatrell also focused on local collaborations with local hotels and business to great golf accommodation packages. Additional community involvement was also a focus by way of charity tournaments, junior golf camps and more. 

“My vision extends beyond the traditional confines of a golf course. Understanding the diverse interests of a community, I am enthusiastic about a range of events,” Gartell wrote in his proposal. “These will span from outdoor movie nights to summer camps and obstacle course. By embracing such inclusive activities, we hope to captivate the interest of not only avid golfers but also residents who may not have previously considered themselves part of the golfing world.” 

The next Bonners Ferry city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 7232 Main St.