SANDPOINT — On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the Bonner County Board of Commissioners heard a request from a local nonprofit water corporation for support in securing a grant for infrastructure improvements.  

Presenting on behalf of Cedar Springs Community Water, board chair Stephani Blackburn outlined a request for the county to serve as the sponsoring entity for a Community Development Block Grant, which would enable the entity to upgrade its well system in Sagle. Upgrades would include a full redesign and replacement of its water storage, water main distribution lines and meters.  

According to Blackburn, CDBG applications must be submitted by a government entity. Since Sagle is an unincorporated community, the nonprofit is requesting county participation on its grant application.  

“The storage and distribution lines to serve recreational use are severely undersized for the approximate 53 connections of service and population of 130, which at this time, serves 95% of households full-time with very minimal recreational use,” Blackburn said.  

She further explained that in September 2024, the water system experienced a loss of water that was initially attributed to a pump failure. When a loss of water occurred again, approximately 30 days later, well production dropped significantly, revealing broader infrastructure issues.  

“We’ve identified the infrastructure is beyond its useful life and are working towards a full redesign and replacement of our storage, water main distribution lines and meters,” Blackburn said.  

Blackburn said preplanning funds have already been secured, and engineers are completing a facility plan that will inform the Cedar Springs Community Water board of the appropriate infrastructure needed to adequately and reliably serve the community.  

After replacing the well construction, the nonprofit seeks to replace its failing storage, which is experiencing leaks.  

No decision was made at the meeting, due to it being scheduled as a discussion. Commissioners Brian Domke and Ron Korn raised questions about the legalities behind supporting the block grant and whether that would pose a risk to the county and could be perceived as a “tax-based bailout for failing independent taxing districts in the county,” despite intentions.  

“Personally, if we find out that we’re not really looking at the county taking on any kind of real risk to become a pass through, and we’re not becoming the funding source, but a pass through entity to allow state funding to flow back where there’s a need — recapturing some of those tax dollars that are getting distributed elsewhere — then I’m supportive of that idea,” Domke said. “But I have to put it as an idea until we understand all the details.”  

Korn echoed similar concerns, saying he wanted to ensure the county does not appear to be bailing out private or independent districts. 

Both commissioners are seeking additional documents from Cedar Springs Community Water and the Panhandle Area Council Business Center to better understand the block grant and how the county has utilized it in prior years before deciding on whether to assist the water entity.  

Cedar Springs Community Water was established in 2024 as a nonprofit corporation, according to its site, to take over ownership and responsibilities of the previous Farko Water and Ponderosa Terrance Estates.

    CSCW Facility Plan