SANDPOINT — The Bonner County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an easement that will enable the county to improve and maintain a section of Sunnyside Road.

Jason Topp, the county’s road and bridge director, brought forth the easement request and explained its rationale. 

According to Topp, Bonner County has been working with the landowners of the easement area for three years to come up with a solution that would benefit both the county and the property owners. 

Going forward, Bonner County will be able to improve the approach for two existing lake accesses and replace or maintain existing telephone, internet, and cable utilities. No fees were included or specified in the draft agreement document. 

Topp hopes the new agreement will provide clarity for years to come. 

“In the future, if they decide to sell that property, nobody is wondering what the easement is in there,” Topp said. “We'll have a defined easement through that area.” 

The commissioners also agreed unanimously to accept a $12,600 grant that will fund a new piece of hardware for the emergency management department. 

The device will provide a gateway for the department’s radios to communicate with those of partner agencies; the money will be provided by TC Energy, a corporation that operates gas pipelines and energy production facilities across North America. 

During the public comment period of the meeting, Sheryl Messer expressed concern about the rising rate of reported crimes in the county and recent discussion within the county government regarding the potential removal of positions within the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office. 

Messer also requested more dialogue between the county and the public on the matter. 

The total number of criminal offenses recorded in Bonner County rose from 1,582 in 2022 to 1,803 in 2023 according to the Idaho State Police uniform crime report published in July. The change represents a 13.97% rise in total offenses. 

In the past two years, the majority of observed crimes in the county were reported by the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, with the remainder being detected by city police departments. The number of offenses declared by the sheriff’s office rose from 996 in 2022 to 1,203 in 2023 — a 20.78% uptick. 

The average annual offense total for Bonner County from 2019 to 2023 was 1,708. During the same period, the annual average for the sheriff’s office was 1,053. 

Commissioner Luke Omodt shed light on the rationale behind the potential cuts and on budgetary limitations in the county. 

“Regardless of the misinformation that may have been presented about the way that budgets work, Bonner County doesn’t print cash,” Omodt said. “We do not have an endless supply of money.” 

Commissioner Asia Williams suggested including a community input period in the budget workshop meeting which was scheduled for July 31. 

“It would be more efficient, and a better use of government resources, if they can just speak at the meeting that we’re already holding,” Williams said. 

Commissioner Steven Bradshaw shared concerns about public discussion delaying progress in the face of approaching deadlines. 

“Traditionally, budget workshops are for the board of commissioners, the elected officials, and the departments to go through line by line, item by item,” said Bradshaw. “It is not appropriate for the public to have comment during that time.” 

Bonner County clerk Michael Rosedale then clarified that past workshops have featured public feedback. 

After some discussion among the board members, the commissioners agreed to take public feedback on the matter at a separate 9 a.m. event today, Aug. 1. 

The board of county commissioners will meet next at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2, for a public hearing regarding the construction of a communication tower off U.S. 95 near Elmira.  

The event will be held in the first floor conference room of the Bonner County administrative building, 1500 Highway 2, and livestreamed on Zoom.