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Housekeeping tops BOCC agenda

CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 8 months AGO
by CAROLINE LOBSINGER
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | January 7, 2025 1:00 AM

The final meeting before new Bonner County officials officially take office Monday, Jan. 13, includes a slate of housekeeping items.

On the consent agenda, the commission is slated to approve a pair of liquor licenses, BOCC meeting minutes for Dec. 31 and several Bonner County Sheriff's Office invoices, including one for an annual dispatch software subscription of $349 for a five-year term.

Bonner County Clerk Michael Rosedale is scheduled to ask the board to approve batch claims for Fiscal Year 25, totaling $324,454.76. Claims and demand batch spending, simplified, are the routine bills, costs, and purchases needed to maintain county services. 

Commissioners are slated to hear from Ron Stultz on the Bonner County Juvenile Justice annual financial report for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Bonner County Road & Bridge Director Jason Topp will bring a cooperative road agreement with the U.S. Forest Service before the BOCC for review. The agreement outlines the responsibility and terms for maintenance of certain USFS roads in the county.

In the agreement, applicable roads are listed as are when and how improvements should be made and how they are to be paid. The document also covers maintenance plans, rights of way, and sets the stage for an annual meeting to cover potential changes and concerns.

Matt Zoeller, director of Bonner County Waterways, is slated to appear before the commission on a pair of items. The first is a Waterways Improvement Fund grant opportunity and the second is a request to open the Priest Lake snowmobile budget to account for unanticipated funds.

In draft documents presented to the Bonner County Board of County Commissioners, Zoeller said the $70,000 grant proposal includes a 30% match of $21,000. Funds, which will go toward replacement of the department's tow vehicle, would not be spent until the 2026 Fiscal Year.

"This would allow for a more appropriate vehicle towing the vessel, which performs the maintenance on all Bonner County waterways," Zoeller said.

Zoeller is also asked the BOCC to reopen the Priest Lake snowmobile budget to allow for $1,500 in unanticipated revenue. The funds will go toward plowing the Lionhead snowmobile parking area.

A minor land division is slated to go before the board. Located in the Garfield Bay area in Sagle, the MLD would divide a 3.24-acre parcel into four lots of varying sizes, ranging from 0.288 acres to 1.868 acres. The applicant is asking the county to allow the road in what will be the Bay City Subdivision be allowed to remain private instead of a public right of way due to no connectivity to other public rights of way.

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