County mulls ditching chapel

SANDPOINT — Bonner County is considering extracting itself from a lease/purchase agreement for the former Calvary Chapel, a building that has largely stood dormant for nearly two years.

“There are some serious issues that need to be discussed. We are bleeding on this building,” said Commissioner Mike Nielsen, who is recommending the county either sell or rent out the facility.

The county began financing the purchase of the building through the Panhandle Area Council in 2009. It was intended to serve as station for Bonner County EMS, but EMS had no interest in the facility and ultimately set up shop in the former Big Sky Paramedics building across from Bonner General Hospital.

Since then, the modest building has been considered for records storage or possibly a consolidated department of motor vehicles and driver licensing office. The building’s grounds are currently utilized for parking.

When the county entered into the agreement with PAC, it made a $267,427 down payment with plans to make $3,600 monthly payments over a 10-year period with interest adjustments every three years.

Nielsen said the building could end up costing taxpayers nearly $700,000. The county had been spending up to $1,600 a month just to heat the building during winter months.

Nielsen contends the lease/purchase agreement for the building amounted to a hurdle over an Idaho constitutional prohibition against indebtedness that carries over from year to year without voter approval — an issue which initially plagued development of a new juvenile detention facility.

But the suggestion that the purchase was illegal did not sit well with Commission Chairman Lewie Rich and Commissioner Cornel Rasor.

Rich reminded Nielsen that the acquisition of the former Calvary Chapel was no different that the county’s acquisition of its administrative building, an EMS facility in Priest River and the snowmobile trail groomer building at Priest Lake. Moreover, the purchases passed legal review by the county’s civil counsel.

“I don’t believe it was moral — that’s a personal opinion. But it was legal,” said Rasor.

Rasor added that he appreciated Nielsen’s objectives, but questioned whether there was also a motive to indict the previous administration. Acquisition of the building began under former board Chairman Joe Young, whom Nielsen defeated in a contentious primary election last year.

However, Rasor agreed to consider the proposal.

“I have no problem with selling if that’s a way to stop the bleeding,” Rasor said.

The board is scheduled to resume discussions on matter on April 12.