SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners have approved the Road and Bridge Department’s request to carry over and adjust project funds into the new fiscal year, ensuring completion of several major projects in 2026. 

Holding most of the action items during Tuesday’s business meeting, Road and Bridge director Jason Topp presented two requests to move funds from fiscal year 2025 to 2026. Topp also requested approval to add unanticipated funds to the department’s budget. All requests were approved unanimously by county commissioners.  

Road and Bridge was approved to adjust its 2026 budget by $2,546,970 after receiving unanticipated funds from excess tax revenue from the state and its general fund. The funds, according to a memorandum, are distributed throughout local jurisdictions by a percentage dependent on population.  

The extra funds will go toward asphalting the remaining 5.7 miles of Clagstone Road and toward replacing the Cocolalla Bridge.  

The first transfer involved the Eastshore Road guardrail project, where the first phase includes the installation of 5,512.5 feet of guardrail for $249,866. The transfer will include the total funds for the project.  

Construction is slated to be completed in November, according to Topp, and will be carried out by Ideal Fencing Corp.  

The Spirit Lake Curve project also required a transfer of funds in the amount of $617,354.98. According to a memorandum to the county, while the project is already underway, only a portion of the funds required were contributed to the project in 2025.  

The curve project is also expected to be completed in 2026, where the county department is realigning curves on Spirit Lake Cutoff near Beare Road to make the curve more “speed appropriate.”