SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners approved a laundry list of agenda items at Tuesday’s business meeting.  

Airports manager Dave Shuck brought two action items to the meeting, requesting the approval to enter into a lease agreement and rent credit agreement with private parties.  

Shuck was approved to lease Shelter No. 2 at Priest River Airport. The year-long lease would be for $3,000 and go into effect May 1. The airport manager was also approved to enter into a rent credit agreement for Lot 29 at Sandpoint Airport. The agreement would reimburse the lessee for a main water line and hydrant by rent credit. The lessee would be reimbursed $23,111, to be allocated annually. The agreement would also go into effect May 1.  

Sheriff Daryl Wheeler requested the approval for a one-year, renewable agreement with Miller Mendel for a pre-employment background investigation software.  

Before the software, background checks were done by a background investigator who was in charge of manually doing the research necessary for a check. With the software agreement, over 50% of the research labor would be automated. The software would also allow access to documents that have already been completed by other agencies. 

The software would cost $4,440 annually, which includes a $1,800 startup fee. If renewed, the annual cost would go down to $2,460. The cost would include 30 background checks per year and could fluctuate in price if the number of background checks changes.  

County commissioners unanimously approved the software agreement.  

Dr. Joe Wassif and Dawn Nehra from Kaniksu Community Health, a family practice in Sandpoint, also spoke at the business meeting, sharing their intent to expand behavioral health services in the community. According to Wassif, Kaniksu has been able to serve 555 patients in the last year — a 65% increase. 

Staffed with 11 therapists, Kaniksu offers mental health services in the Lake Pend Oreille School District and Bonners Ferry elementary, middle and high schools. The practice has also recently partnered with the Bonner County Jail, allowing for a therapist to be available to provide care to incarcerated individuals.