Ada County Commissioner Vern Bisterfeldt has been unable to work the past three weeks and won’t be returning this week, Commission Chairman Rick Yzaguirre said.

Bisterfeldt’s absence has put a strain on the three-member panel, which needs at least two commissioners present to conduct county business, including approving contracts and presiding over indigent and public hearings, Yzaguirre said.

Yzaguirre said Bisterfeldt has not told him when he will return or his plans for completing his term, which ends this year, or if he plans to seek re-election.

Bisterfeldt could not be reached for comment, but Boise Guardian blogger Dave Frazier said Tuesday that Bisterfeldt told him that he would not be running again.

On Tuesday, former Boise City Councilman Jim Tibbs officially announced his candidacy for Sharon Ullman’s seat, which will be vacant because redistricting has put Ullman in Bisterfeldt’s district. Ullman has said she will run.

The filing period for county commission seats is Feb. 27 through March 9. Two of the three seats, Ullman’s and Bisterfeldt’s, are up for election this year.

Cynthia Sewell: 377-6428