Sandpoint departments present budget needs

SANDPOINT — The heads of several city departments brought forth their funding needs at Wednesday's city council meeting. 

The council is seeking to approve Sandpoint’s fiscal year 2025 budget at an Aug. 21 meeting, which will also include a public hearing to facilitate community input for the budget. 

Rod Berget, utilities supervisor of the Public Works Department, began by sharing the issues he and his staff are working to address. A key portion of the department’s 2025 funds will go toward purchasing new water meters to improve the accuracy of readings. 

“The longer the meters are out there, they're getting more wear and tear,” Berget explained. “Just like driving a car, you have to maintain your system.” 

According to Berget, accurate meters help the city collect revenue through utility bills, pinpoint leaks, and identify pressure issues in the network. 

Chet Jackman, streets supervisor of the department, gave insight on the funds needed to maintain Sandpoint’s roadways. 

“Our budget really isn't going to change much,” Jackman said. “With the recent purchases of equipment that we've been able to get, things are looking a lot better. Streets are smoothing out.” 

Jackman cited Sandpoint’s two aging road graders used to clear winter snow as a potential area of concern in the future. 

“The projects that it takes to repair these to get them ready for wintertime are getting more and more expensive every year,” Jackman said. With an estimated cost of $400,000-$500,000 per unit, the city could face a big bill in the coming years. 

Deven Hull, wastewater treatment supervisor, provided the final update for the Public Works Department. 

When he approached the lectern, he was greeted with applause from several councilors; Mayor Jeremy Grimm called him “operator of the year” for his effort in solving problems at Sandpoint’s deteriorating treatment facility. 

According to Hull, the department is hiring a new employee to help with pre-treatment operations and has requested funds to replace a utility truck. 

Hull also explained that the fluctuating cost of treatment chemicals causes variability in the facility’s operating cost, but he is hopeful that pandemic-related supply chain issues are finally being resolved. 

The Public Works Department is slated to receive $19.67 million in the upcoming budget, a 29.9% increase from 2024. The jump can mostly be attributed to funding related to upgrading Sandpoint’s wastewater treatment plant. 

Chief Corey Coon then provided an update on the 2025 funds sought by the Sandpoint Police Department. 

According to Coon, law enforcement is planning on adding new hybrid vehicles to its fleet in the upcoming year and beginning the process of expanding its evidence processing and investigations facility. 

The 2025 budget of $3.61 million is 1.1% higher than 2024, a mark praised by Grimm. 

“1.1% is amazing,” said the mayor. 

For the first budget year since Sandpoint withdrew from the Selkirk Fire Joint Powers Agreement, Fire Chief Gavin Gilcrease expects funding to be relatively consistent. 

The department is set to receive $1.49 in 2025 — a 0.7% drop from Sandpoint’s portion of fire spending in 2024. Major upcoming costs, according to Gilcrease, include a final payment on a new fire engine. 

Gilcrease also declared the department’s intent to pursue grants for equipment like a new air compressor to fill firefighters’ breathing systems. 

Jason Welker, director of Sandpoint’s Department of Community Planning and Development, then shared the status of their 2025 budget. 

The body that oversees the city’s building and parks divisions is budgeted to receive $6.13 million in 2025, a 50.1% drop from last year’s anomalously high budget that featured $7 million for the construction of the James E. Russell Sports Center, which was enabled by a $7.5 million donation. 

Line items for the department in the upcoming year include new parks maintenance vehicles and costs associated with an updated ADA transition plan. 

The final presentation came from Cheryl Hughes, director of Central Services. The department contains the information technology and legal divisions along with the city clerk’s office and is designated for $3.65 million in 2025. 

Among the upcoming line items are a job study on workforce productivity and an anticipated increase in city insurance costs. 

Sarah Lynds, Finance Department director, wrapped up the session by announcing the plan for the upcoming council meeting and hearing. Lynds encouraged councilors and commenters to bring “higher level” questions on the upcoming budget at the assembly. 

Councilors will gather next Aug. 21 for their regular council meeting and to receive public input on the 2025 budget. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1123 Lake St., and livestreamed on Zoom.

The 2025 budget book is available on the front page of Sandpoint's website, sandpointidaho.gov.