Sidewalk debate heats up in Sandpoint

SANDPOINT — Just who should pay for sidewalks? That is the question.

Sandpoint City Attorney Scot Campbell said sidewalks are a safety priority and city policy, which requires homeowners to foot the bill, is a way for getting the sidewalks built. Local attorney Art Bistline contends the current city policy is not legal the way it is written. He said the city has been given special authorization to collect from the owners, but he questions the legalities.

“My argument is, it is not,” Bistline said.

The City Council is enforcing the sidewalk installation on five properties around town. The Daily Bee sent a public records request to the city on Monday, asking for the amount and names of any complaints regarding sidewalks in the last two years. The city has not yet responded. Bear with the story as we dive into state and city laws, briefly, to explain the conflict.

Idaho State Code 50-316 discusses installation of sidewalks. It states that cities can “provide by general ordinance for the construction, repair or removal of sidewalks which are deemed by the council to be dangerous and unsafe, and for the replacing thereof, assess the cost as provided in section 50-1008 to the property in front of which the same shall be constructed, repaired or laid.”

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