SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office is expected to bring back an agenda item in the coming weeks that would allow for a proposed monthly bonus to help with retention of current 911 dispatchers during short staffing.  

The conversation was brought forth during Tuesday’s business meeting by Sheriff Daryl Wheeler, who proposed both a bonus program for dispatchers and a signing bonus to help address staffing shortages at the 911 dispatch center. Additionally, he sought double time paid for those who must work overtime. 

Wheeler requested a sign-on bonus of $3,000 and a $1,200 monthly bonus for the next six months for current dispatchers.  

“As we reflect over the last few months, we've seen an increase in fatal accidents in our county, boating accidents, suicides, just critical incidents that are occurring, and the staff at dispatch have to deal with that. They have to deal with it with their family when they go home and forcing them to come in and not being able to have that opportunity to take time off is a great burden to them, for childcare, for everything else,” Wheeler said. 

Commissioners moved to approve the sign-on bonus and paid double time through Jan. 2027 but opted to deny the monthly stipend bonus after finding that the auditor’s office has yet to review the request. Commissioners Asia Williams and Brian Domke voted in favor, with Commissioner Ron Korn voting against due to conflicting opinions about the double time payments instead of time-and-a-half.  

“I just want to make sure that we're fair to all employees. I don't know if we have anything in a policy that states that if you're at a higher level of stress and you get double time instead of time-and-a-half, I want to make sure that we're doing this correctly and fairly across the board,” Korn said.  

Once the auditor’s office reviews the request, Wheeler is expected to bring back the agenda item for further review. Wheeler said that the department has enough money in their budget for the remainder of the fiscal year to cover the added costs.  

The $3,000 sign-on bonus will be paid in three installments: $1,000 at hire, $1,000 after completion of training and $1,000 after 24 months of service. 

Wheeler said the importance of the agenda item stems from the department being at a minimum staffing level with eight personnel, creating stress and tension within the department. Wheeler said an additional five personnel would be ideal, allowing dispatchers to operate how they were originally intended. 

It takes eight dispatchers to cover 24/7 minimum staffing, and with a recent resignation, the department is operating at that minimum level, creating limited or nonexistent coverage for sick leave or vacation.  

Wheeler also said that supervisors are required to work on the floor, instead of supervising, training, or doing National Crime Information Center entries.  

The item is expected to be brought forth in the coming weeks after Wheeler works with the county’s Human Resources department and gets approval from auditing.