Bonner County finalizes $75M 2025 budget

SANDPOINT — On Monday, Bonner County commissioners officially adopted a 2025 budget. 

The budget, which was collaboratively developed by commissioners and department heads, totals $75,213,004 — a 0.4% reduction from 2024.

2025 spending will largely be funded by property taxes; $35,449,298 of revenue will come from property owners, while grants, carry-over funds, and other sources will support the remainder of the budget. 

The budget reduction is thanks in part to decreases in money allotted for solid waste and the general fund. Funding for roads and bridges rose 6.7% from 2024 to 2025. 

Commissioners also approved a $5,070,436 2025 budget for Bonner County Emergency Services — a 1.3% reduction from 2024’s total. 

Both budgets passed due to votes from Commissioners Luke Omodt and Steven Bradshaw, while Commissioner Asia Williams abstained after expressing she was not entirely satisfied with how the 2025 budget had been developed. 

“I know there were some concerns on my end on some of the elements of this current budget,” Williams said. 

Williams pointed toward guidelines put forth by the Government Finance Officers Association as a proposed model for future budgeting. 

“Hopefully on our next cycle we’re able to come up with a format that we can depend upon year after year in Bonner County,” Williams added.