Kootenai County Commissioners voted Tuesday to amend the termination of the docks lease with Lakes Highway District, adding 60 days, rather than expiring as initially planned Jan. 1.

Docks in question include those at Bayview, the Spirit Lake Nautical Loop and Twin Lakes Par 3.     

“I’m happy, it’s wonderful,” Commissioner Marc Eberlein said. “It’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it?” 

The back-and-forth to create a more lasting agreement dates to late 2024, when the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners declined to appropriate funds for the lease agreement with the Lakes Highway District during fiscal year 2025 budget deliberations. The lease payment was $25,000.  

Since the district’s restricted levee rate prohibits spending tax revenue on dock maintenance, even though they own the property, last year's termination resulted in complications leading up to boating season. 

Commissioner Bruce Mattare said he supported the measure.  

“I think this is a good opportunity to buy some time and figure out if we can work something out with them,” Mattare said.

The outcome was also one that Commissioner Rod Twete said the Lakes board was hoping for. He said the amendment gave them a more extended timeframe to “iron out some things that need to be taken care of.”  

Kootenai County Parks and Waterways Director Nick Snyder said the extension provides the Lakes Highway District and the board of commissioners additional time to discuss potential agreements while ensuring management is present at the facilities. 

“I think Lakes Highway District wants to work with the county to try to find a way where we can work together,” Mattare said. 

Bayview residents filled the room at a recent Waterways Advisory Committee meeting to voice the importance of the Bayview docks, in particular, for both the recreation industry and situations requiring urgent access to portions of Lake Pend Oreille.   

Bayview resident Jeanna Hofmeister has been closely following the dock situation since last year and said it has been a great weight without a more lasting resolution.

"There's a disconnect about the significant impact a closure would have on the success of Bayview's business community, boater safety and everyone's enjoyment of the lake," Hofmeister said.

She felt mixed feelings upon discussing the lease extension.

"I do hope the contract extension will bring all parties together for the good of the community," Hofmeister said.