SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners held a brief business meeting this past Tuesday, with one commissioner absent, only a handful of agenda items to approve and minimal public comment.  

During Tuesday’s business meeting, commissioners Brian Domke and Ron Korn approved items from the Human Resources department, the Clerk’s Office and the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Asia Williams was absent due to a scheduling conflict. 

Human Resources was approved to apply a comprehensive revision to the Bonner County Personnel Policy Manual, Policy 500: Employee Classification. The approval stems from multiple rounds of collaborative discussions with the commissioners and department, aimed at bringing definitions and terminology into closer alignment with the Fair Labor Standards Act.  

Policy 500 outlines employment classification and benefit eligibility, which allows the county to determine whether an employee qualifies for specific benefits and/or programs. According to HR Director Jonathan Holmgren, the policy’s previous language was written poorly and “failed to provide basic definitions and guidance on fundamental concepts that are essential to complying with employment law.”  

The Sheriff’s Office was approved to enter a contract with the Law Enforcement Policy Center to provide an Idaho Policing Policy Manual at an annual cost of $3,500. The policy has also been approved by the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program, which aims to provide risk management resources and financing to applicable Idaho governments.  

Sheriff Daryl Wheeler also presented a confidential memorandum requesting renewal of a contract for the use of critical infrastructure. The site, according to Wheeler, is used for communication among all emergency services in the area.  

The lease was approved at $4,200 and will be valid until Oct. 30, 2027.  

Commissioners approved fiscal year 2026 claims batch No. 14, totaling $427,899.59. According to Comptroller Jessica Stephanie, major expenses included approximately $195,000 for technology services, $45,000 for the Road and Bridge Department’s flood repairs and about $20,000 for self-insured dental costs. 

“I just want to remind the public of prior conversations about the expenses associated with the emergency flood repairs; there will be more of that going forward. We still do not know at this time what the total local share will be after the state kicks in their portion,” Domke said.  

Commissioners additionally approved fiscal year demands batch No. 14 totaling $226,359.70, which Stephanie said covers the county’s self-insured medical expenses.  

During commissioner updates, Domke said he is nearing completion of a set of questions for review by the Bonner County Prosecutor’s Office regarding the duties of the county’s Fair Board. He also said commissioners are seeking a more streamlined process for updating the county’s Comprehensive Plan, describing the current process as inefficient.  

Domke explained that under the existing system, the Planning Commission proposes edits to the Comprehensive Plan that must then be approved by the board or sent back to the Planning Commission for further revision, creating delays. 

“We're going to see if there's a way that we can appropriately and legally combine our efforts into just one shared conversation and set of workshops,” Domke said. “When we get to a point in the process where we think we can reach a conclusion, then we can use the normal methodology of having the planning commission bring forward a recommendation to the board, and the board will decide whether to adopt, amend or reject that recommendation.”