County officials pass the torch

BONNERS FERRY — It is the end of an era in Boundary County with four elected officials retiring and passing the torch to the next generation of county leaders.

Those retiring include Sue Larson, treasurer; Dan Dinning, commissioner for 20 years; Dave Ryals, assessor; and Mick Mellett, coroner and former Bonners Ferry Funeral Home director.

Dinning told the Herald that he didn’t believe there had ever been four elected officials who retired in one election year.

“Historically, you’ll see changes in commissioners and even sheriff with elections, but you won’t find that three other elected officials will retire in the same year,” he said.

Sue Larson has served as county treasurer for eight years. She said she was looking forward to retirement, until her final day was upon her. “It’s time,” she said, “but now that’s it here …” before breaking off.

She said the best part about the job was helping people.

“If we could lower their taxes or show them something they had missed, that felt good,” she said. “I’ll miss the people.”

Dave Ryals said he is excited about a new chapter in life, but doesn’t have a real idea how he will spend retirement. However, he added, he has some old vehicles he would like to restore.

He has worked in the assessor's office since 1993 and his main focus was developing a positive reputation with property owners and educating them on what the assessor office does — to provide a market value for property. He added that by developing these relationships, it brought credibility to the office.

Ryals’ father was also assessor, he said he hadn’t expected to take on the role.

He is proud to have been selected to serve on the statewide assessors association and fortunate enough to work with the Idaho Legislature on law.

“I have a great group following after me,” he said in regard to the Assessor’s office. “I feel great walking out the door knowing they will continue the great work.”

He said he stood by his decision to not use the Multiple Listing Service for assessing property in Boundary County; something used by all other counties in Idaho for real estate information. Ryals said when property is bought in the county, the owners receive a letter requesting they provide the cost of purchase.

The information they provide the Assessor is voluntary, he said, and that he never felt comfortable circumventing people’s choice not to disclose that information, especially since reporting sales price of property is voluntary in the state. He added that by only receiving about a third of the data on property sales, it makes it difficult to make an accurate assessment.

“I’m a community member and a property owner. All property owners matter to me,” he told the Herald. “I want to make an equal and equitable assessment and don’t want them to pay more than they have to.”

Dan Dinning, who started as commissioner in 2001, was the longest-serving commissioner in county history. Dinning was honored by members of the Idaho congressional delegation in November 2021 for his 20 years of service to the county.

He has been recognized and known for his dedication to the county and its resources.

The delegation said this is no surprise given Dinning’s deep commitment to Boundary County. They highlighted the many groups and boards that Dinning has served on and led including the Idaho Association of Counties, Kootenai River Valley Initiative, Idaho Department of Environmental Equality and many others.

Mick Mellett retired as county coroner after 40 years. He ran the Bonners Ferry Funeral Home for 43 years.