SANDPOINT — Though swiftly addressed, the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office held the bulk of agenda items during Tuesday’s county business meeting and was unanimously approved to accept several grants and other technological items.  

For two agenda items, the sheriff’s office was approved to accept Waterways Improvement Fund grants from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, each of which the department will be required to pay $25,000 as a match for the applicable grants, totaling $50,000.  

The first grant was in the amount of $50,000 and will be utilized to purchase two new motors for marine vessel 6. That vessel, according to a memorandum submitted to the board, is necessary to maintain law enforcement, public safety and rescue capabilities throughout the county. According to Lt. Douglas McGeachy, the department opted to purchase new engines instead of rebuilding the existing engines due to the longevity and safety aspects of newer engines. 

“From a public safety perspective, you know these aren't recreational boats, and so they're out there for a purpose, and that purpose is public safety. So, when the public calls on us, I think it's important that we have reliable equipment,” McGeachy said. “We run these engines to about 4000 hours, which is pretty high, significantly higher, I think, than what most people will get out of their own personal engine, and get back those kind of hours because of the extensive maintenance and time that we put into taking care of those engines.” 

He further indicated that the marine division could use the new boat engine for about 15 years, on average, where a rebuilt engine may only last four to five years.  

The sheriff’s office was also approved to accept a $125,000 WIF grant for a 40-foot breakwater in front of the existing dock at Garfield Bay boat launch. The project also includes a 20-foot deck on the breakwater to allow for additional dock space for the public.  

According to McGeachy, the added breakwater will significantly help with boat damage in the area due to weather-related incidents.  

“It also protects the slip that we have dedicated to a sheriff patrol vessel to allow us to get a boat back out there without risking further damage. I think we've spent about $14,000 on just damage over the last couple of years, and then we also had a vessel that sank out then because of weather-related damage,” McGeachy said. “So, I thought this was a pretty important project.” 

According to IDPR documents, the projects are slated to occur between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.  

The department was also approved to continue a contract with QLess for queuing and appointments at the Sandpoint Driver's License Office for $4,356. The software allows community members to schedule appointments at the driver’s license office in Sandpoint for a smoother office visit.  

Confidential infrastructure was also approved for $35,135, but due to the sensitive nature of the agenda item, limited information was shared on the item. The funds will be used for a virtual migration RMS system. The new system is expected to save the county approximately $20,000 annually after the initial migration fee. The cost of the service is expected to be between $9,000 and $12,000 after the first year, whereas the previous service was about $35,000 annually.