Bannock County Prosecutor Mark Hiedeman has selected a Boise Police Department detective to conduct the investigation into Ada County's handling of a contract with Dynamis for the proposed waste-to-energy plant at the Ada landfill.

“We have been asked to participate in that investigation,” said Boise police spokesman Charles McClure. “We are working for the Bannock County prosecuting attorney's office.”

The investigator will submit findings to Hiedeman, who is serving as a special prosecutor for the inquiry.

Boise Guardian reported this new development on Friday.

Ada County Prosecutor Greg Bower in July announced he had asked Hiedeman to serve as special prosecutor after a citizens group made a formal complaint against Ada County commissioners; to avoid a conflict, Bower asked for an outside agent to look at the complaint.

On June 27, Idaho Citizens for a Safe Environment and a Transparent Government formally asked Bower to look into the contract for possible fraud and other illegalities. Other citizens have written to ask Bower to investigate.

Ada County Commissioners Sharon Ullman, Rick Yzaguirre and Fred Tilman approved the initial Dynamis agreement in June 2010. Ullman and Yzaguirre approved additional Dynamis contracts in October 2011 and May 2012.

"All activities surrounding the Dynamis contract were conducted within the strict confines of the law and we look at this inquiry as a way to once and for all put an end to false allegations that critics of the project have spread throughout our communities, " said Ada County Commission Chairman Rick Yzaguirre in July.

Dynamis said it would start construction next month on the $75 million garbage gasifier that will generate 22 megawatts of energy.

It will be the Eagle-based company's first waste-to-energy plant.

The Idaho Statesman asked the county last week if Dynamis has applied for a building permit. The county has not answered the question.

Dynamis has said repeatedly it will not respond to media questions.