SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners convened Tuesday to return the Priest River Senior Center to the city of Priest River and to approve agreements to house juveniles from neighboring counties at Bonner County’s juvenile detention center. 

The detention agreements will allow Boundary County and Montana’s Lincoln County to house inmates at the facility through September 2026. 

Additionally, commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution that will transfer ownership of Priest River Senior Center from Bonner County to the city of Priest River. 

The property had previously been owned by Priest River until the city quitclaimed the center to Bonner County several years ago. 

The decision to donate the facility came after Bonner County determined that owning the property was no longer in its best interest. 

“I just want to thank everybody for working to give back this community center to Priest River,” said Commissioner Asia Williams in the Tuesday meeting. “It was a definite need for them to be able to have their building back.” 

The meeting also included decisions to approve a waterways budget adjustment and the construction of concrete sidewalks near the county administration building. 

Due to unexpected damage and thefts of buoys, Bonner County Parks and Waterways has transferred $8,000 into its capital equipment fund to replace the markers. 

Commissioner Luke Omodt chastised “aquatic delinquents” who have run over or stolen county buoys. 

“It's just idiotic,” Omodt said at the meeting. “The citizens of Bonner County are put at risk because of such behavior.” 

Commissioners also voted 2-1 to allocate $11,995 from the repairs and maintenance fund to construct two new concrete sidewalks that will connect the county administration building to the nearby EMS station. 

Omodt and Commissioner Steven Bradshaw supported the move; Omodt stated that creating a safe walking path would protect the county from liability if someone were to be injured while traveling between the buildings. 

Williams opposed the decision, describing the new paths as a “want” and stating that the need for snow removal equipment for the property has not been addressed. 

The commissioners will meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at the Bonner County Administration Building.