SANDPOINT — The county’ weekly business meeting began with the consent approval of seven minor land divisions, as well as an invoice for over $5,000 from Road and Bridge.

The first two regular agenda items were introduced by Bonner County comptroller Nancy Twineham. The approval of payment for batch #24 of fiscal year 2022’s claims and demands, totaling $1.5 million and the approval of the EMS batch #24 of fiscal year 2022’s claims and demands, totalling almost $150,000 were both passed by the commissioners.

Twineham said the EMS increase is for the purchase of three vehicles which was approved last week by county commissioners

Mike Bolling of the GIS department presented a resolution to transfer an old pickup to the Bonner County Weeds Department, instead of trading it in. The resolution passed.

Next, Jason Topp from Road and Bridge introduced a motion to spend almost $34,000 to buy grader and plow bits. Topp explained that these bits can last a few days to a few weeks before they are run down by asphalt, depending on the nature of their use. Topp also presented a motion to pay just under $94,000 for centerline striping operations to Road Products Inc. Both motions passed.

Then, Jeff Lindsey from EMS asked commissioners for permission to upfit three vehicles, for a total cost of over $54,000. The motion passed.

Planning Director Jacob Gabell requested commissioners open the Planning Department’s budget to receive “unanticipated revenue” totalling $60,000. The motion passed.

Solid Waste Director Bob Howard introduced a resolution to sell surplus equipment. Two 10,000-pound torsion trailer axles and one 20-by-8 foot flatbed utility trailer. The motion passed.

County legal advisor Bill Wilson presented a motion to withdraw the county from agreements with 11 marinas to install and maintain sewage pumps. Sourcing parts has become difficult since the pumps have been discontinued and at times boaters pump fuel on accident, costing the county even more in maintenance.

Wilson said the county could either take out the pumps or leave them in and allow the marina to continue maintenance. The pumps are spread around waterways throughout the county. The commissioners approved the resolution, directing Wilson to begin drafting a withdrawal and new agreements for the marinas – some of which must have a sewage pump.

Next, the Recreation Department’s Pete Hughes presented a motion to take out their trash receptacle and dumpsters from its day-use sites and boat launches, transitioning instead to a “pack it in, pack it out” policy. Hughes said the six large dumpsters and various trash receptacles are being misused and that handling the unintended, hazardous waste was putting county staff at risk.

Commissioner Jeff Connolly said Kootenai County told him they had addressed the same problem by transitioning to “pack it in, pack it out.” The motion passed.

Jennifer Jensen from the University of Idaho Extension Office introduced a contract written by the university's legal team to formalize the cooperation between the Extension Office and the county. The extension office, state, county, and the federal government have an agreement to provide research-based information to Bonner County residents. Jensen explained the intent of the document is to clarify the agreement and obligations between the university and the county, including the financing of services rendered by the extension office. The motion passed.

Next, Cindy Binkerd of Human Resources presented a request to recruit for three vacated positions: a court clerk, a heavy equipment operator for Road and Bridge, and an elections clerk as well as two new juvenile officer positions. The motion passed.

Lastly, Jessi Webster of the Commissioners’ Office introduced a request for approval to apply for a grant to install fiber optic cable in the Priest River/Priest Lake area. The grant would come from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and would go to Ziply Fiber. The motion passed.