SANDPOINT — Commissioners declared April as Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Month, allocated over $1 million for county expenses, and appointed a new address administrator.

At the beginning of the meeting, commissioners approved the consent agenda containing six minor land divisions, and the minutes from the previous meeting.

The first item on the main agenda was brought by the Clerk’s Office. Commissioners approved $1,127,421.52 for claims and demands batch spending for the county.

Claims and demands batch spending, simplified, is the routine bills, costs, and purchases needed to maintain county services, including those from emergency medical services.

Next, Engineering sought the commission's approval to start spending money from Solid Waste’s $8 million construction loan with Columbia Bank for the Solid Waste Improvement’s Project. The department will need to draw money out of the loan on a monthly basis to settle financial transactions for the project. The bond was approved by voters in 2021. The project is expected to be completed in 2024. Commissioners approved the project spending.

The Planning Department brought a resolution before the commission releasing 50% of a surety agreement between the county and Idaho Club Estates. This is the remaining half of the surety agreement, the other half was released last year upon completion of the project for six residential lots. The county is involved because the Idaho Club bonded for public improvements in their project.

A surety agreement is a promise between two parties to accomplish a common goal and is typically used in large financial transactions, construction projects, or posting bail.

Planning Director Milton Ollerton said half of the surety was kept by the county for a year after construction was completed to ensure that the materials and construction were not faulty.

Commissioners approved and signed the resolution releasing the surety.

GIS brought a memorandum of understanding before the commission appointing Mike Bolling as the department’s new address administrator.

“An address administrator is basically in charge of administration and enforcement of the road naming and addressing policy,” Bolling said.

Bolling is also the interim administrator for the department. Commissioners approved the appointment.

Solid Waste sought the commissioners’ approval to award a $124,444 lease-to-purchase agreement with Columbia Bank to purchase a Case 580 Backhoe to be used by the department. The four-year lease agreement comes with a 2.78% interest rate, totaling $3,459.54.

Commissioners approved the lease agreement.

The final item on the public agenda was brought by the Board of County Commissioners declaring April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.

The proclamation raising awareness to the issue comes after federal legislation tried to change Kinderhaven, a local children's shelter, into a two-week-only shelter.

Kinderhaven is a group foster home for area children who are experiencing crisis. The only facility of this kind in North Idaho, the nonprofit provides shelter and emotional support to those in their care.

“State and federal legislation has really tried to alter our service quite a bit,” Jennifer Plummer, Kinderhaven executive director, said. “I’m very happy to say to you all today that after some contract wrangling which had to do with the federal legislation … we have executed a contract with the state in which children, again, do not have time limits at Kinderhaven.”

Since opening in 1996, Kinderhaven has supported over 1,500 children. For those who want to learn more about Kinderhaven or to make a donation, visit their website at KinderhavenSandpoint.com

“Kinderhaven is as vital as ever, as necessary as ever — there are so few foster homes in our area. And we’re very happy and pleased that the county is making this proclamation,” Plummer said.

Commissioners approved the proclamation.

Shortly after, Bradshaw recessed the meeting before reconvening for executive session. Four items were seen in the private agenda. Human Resources brought two items, one regarding hiring, and another regarding personnel. Technology brought one item regarding Planning Department software. Finally, Davillier Law Group brought one item regarding litigation about parcels at the Sandpoint Airport.

The Board of County commissioners hold public meetings every Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the administrative building located at 1500 U.S. 2. Those interested in virtually attending can do so via Zoom. A livestream of the meeting can be watched on the Bonner County YouTube page, where an archive of previous meetings can be viewed.