SANDPOINT — To strengthen property assessments and streamline tax appeals, Bonner County commissioners approved the renewal of two MLS agreements that provide the assessor’s office with detailed sold data on real estate transactions across the county. 

Bonner County Assessor Dennis Engelhardt was approved to renew two multiple listing service agreements, which assist the assessor’s office with sold-data information relating to real property that’s sold in Bonner County.  

Sold-data information includes details about properties on the market that have been purchased, including the final sale price, square footage, bedrooms and bathrooms, property tax history, and more.

According to a memorandum submitted to the county, MLS data assists the county assessor in performing property assessments, in addition to assisting Bonner County commissioners in their Board of Equalization property tax appeal requirements.  

The first contract renewal is an agreement between the county and Selkirk MLS, with a fee structure of $45 a month for sold data. The agreement will be valid from Dec. 1, 2025, to Nov. 30, 2027.  

The second contract renewal approved is between the county and Coeur d’Alene MLS for the same time frame. According to a memorandum, no payments will be required from the county for the sold data. 

Idaho Code notes that sold-data information is exempt from public record requests. However, the information must be disclosed to the taxpayer for the purpose of an appeal.  

Engelhardt noted the department resolves approximately 95% of potential appeals simply through conversations with property owners. 

“We're sitting down and having a conversation about the information available and any new information that comes in. So, it's important to talk to your assessor. You have a right to file an appeal, but part of that process should be coming in and talking to the appraiser,” said Engelhardt.  

In other business news, the office additionally requested to allocate funds from the statutory reserve funds to the Assessor’s Priest River budget for porta-potty services from KG&T Septic at the Priest River County yard for DMV operations.  

The request was unanimously denied after commissioners and members of the clerk’s office determined that the Priest River budget had enough funds for the initial start of the contract without transferring funds from the statutory reserves.  

Porta-potty service will cost $185 during non-winter months, and $195 for winter months, and will be ADA-accessible. The service stems from reports of individuals utilizing surrounding bushes and trees due to a lack of public restrooms at the DMV office.