SANDPOINT — County prosecutorial services will once again be shared with the city after Bonner County commissioners approved an almost $90,000 contract between the two entities during Tuesday’s business meeting.  

Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall received approval from county commissioners to renew a contract with the city of Sandpoint to provide prosecutorial services for misdemeanors and infractions that occur within city limits.  

In addition to the agreement, a provision for municipal prosecutor legal services was also approved, allowing the county to charge a higher rate for its services to the city.

According to the contract, fees and expenses for matters within the scope of work shall include a 4% increase beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and a 2% increase each Oct. 1, thereafter. 

The agreement that was accepted in 2023 reflects an increase of $10,000 for the county’s prosecutorial services — accounting for higher costs that Bonner County may incur while fulfilling its obligations under the contract.  

With the approved rate adjustment, the city will be required to pay $88,400 to utilize the county’s services.  

While unanimously approved, all commissioners noted their interest in doing a caseload analysis to determine how much time the prosecutor’s office spends on each contracted case to better understand the value of what the contract should be. 

In other business, commissioners unanimously approved the Human Resources Department to outsource its Form 1095-C services to 1099Fire.  

The tax document is required by the IRS for employers with 50 or more full-time employees, reporting information related to health insurance coverage offered to employees throughout the year, verifying employer-sponsored health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.  

According to a memorandum submitted by Human Resources, the forms have been outsourced to 1099Fire for several years. The department mentioned its intentions to have the capability to complete the forms in-house next year.  

The quote estimates the service cost at $1,898.50, which includes an almost $700 rate for the Bonner County Ambulance Service District. Next year, the district will be responsible for outsourcing its own forms.