SANDPOINT — It’s time to decide Bonner County’s best businesses in 2018.

Once again, the Bonner County Daily Bee is sponsoring the Best of Bonner County competition, a people’s choice contest in which citizens vote for their favorite restaurants, real estate agents, physical therapists, coffee joints, hair stylists and more.

“This is an annual and well-earned popularity contest that’s part fun but also part hard-core business,” said Alsy Brinkmeyer, general manager and advertising director of the Daily Bee. “If you don’t believe that second part, look at all the marquees, logos, print ads and signs proudly indicating Best of Bonner County past winners. When you win it’s a very big deal.”

This year’s contest will be different from previous iterations, said Brinkmeyer. She said the competition will take place in two phases, much like a primary election and a general election.

The first phase is nominating businesses. That begins Monday, when anyone can go to bonnercountydailybee.com/bestof and nominate businesses in any of 109 categories.

The nomination process will be open three weeks, from May 14-June 1. According to Brinkmeyer, Bonner County Daily Bee staff will then take one week to “vet” the nominees. By that, Brinkmeyer said, staff will ensure that businesses provide the services they’re being nominated for, and that the contest accurately reflects what consumers think.

Once the vetting is completed, the five leading nominees in each category advance to the next phase. That’s when the real voting begins: June 10-16.

Unlike previous years, upgraded software will prevent people from voting more than once in any category, said Bill Izzard, North Idaho Business Journal’s production manager.

“We think this is the best way to keep it fair,” added Brinkmeyer. “It’s a lot more like the country’s democratic process.”

Brinkmeyer said all winners will be notified June 18-June 22, and the public announcement will be made July 28. First place and runner-up will be awarded in each category.

Brinkmeyer encouraged residents to visit the website and begin nominating excellent local businesses starting Monday.

“This is an opportunity for businesses that have been here and provided excellent products and services to really shine, and it’s a way to help consumers decide who they’re going to patronize,” Brinkmeyer said. “What I love about Best of Bonner County is that it supports our community and our community of businesses at the same time.”