Phil Thompson asked the BOC a third time what was the disposition of an invoice, dated June 18, 2012, from the planning department at this week’s meeting. Earlier this year, interim commissioner, Cam Parry, interceded at the apparent behest of governance advisory committee chairman, Bill Grile, on behalf of Michael and Lynda Cole regarding an application for a discreet parcel determination. The planning department found, essentially, that the matter did not qualify as a land use matter without additional information which the Cole’s did not provide.

Parry and Messerle involved county counsel and during an executive session which probably did not qualify for exemption from the public, ultimately instructed planning to simply assume everything was in order and to approve the parcel changes. This could qualify as preferential treatment and by intruding on the matter, Parry cost planning $3,220.75 which should have been paid by the Cole’s but was instead billed to the general fund.

Messerle has avoided answering the question of the invoice each time and this time claimed not to know anything about it even after he signed and approved it last month. Commissioner Bob Main refused to approve the invoice and passed it on to Parry prior to Tuesday’s meeting. Parry was unusually quiet during this line of questioning especially since the invoice was likely already approved by him or still sitting on his desk at the time.