County employee cleared of allegations

A Lincoln County employee accused of misusing her time on the job to advocate against a local cross-country ski project has been cleared of wrongdoing, officials said.

Officials launched an investigation earlier this month after Ben Scott, president of the Kootenai Cross Country Ski Club, raised the allegations. Scott accused the employee of conducting research and lobbying Libby officials on county time.

Scott had tried twice in recent weeks to secure Libby City Council support for a half-mile paving project near Flower Creek as part of the construction of a cross-country complex in the area. To secure a federal grant for the work, Scott needed City Hall’s blessing.

But city councilors denied Scott’s request, citing concerns about the effect of construction on Libby’s water supply, past permitting problems and resident concerns. They invited him to again seek their support after state officials conducted a water delineation assessment in the area later this year.

Scott raised the allegations shortly thereafter, voicing his concern during the public comment period of a Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting Jan. 22.

“We basically have a county employee who is usurping her authority and jumping the gun,” he told county commissioners.

Commissioner Mark Peck, who chairs the board, said officials would review the situation, but cautioned that they could not bar an employee from lobbying his or her local elected officials.

County Administrator Patrick McFadden said Jan. 29 that a review of complaint determined the employee was appropriately flexing her time.