Commissioners approve Oldtown, Dover law enforcement deals
Commissioner Luke Omodt, whose resignation is effective Sept. 7, was absent from Tuesday's business meeting.
Photo by ERIC WELCH
SANDPOINT — On Tuesday, Bonner County commissioners Asia Williams and Steven Bradshaw voted to approve a pair of agreements that will lend county law enforcement resources to the cities of Oldtown and Dover.
Commissioner Luke Omodt was absent from the business meeting, which was scheduled to be his last before his resignation took effect Saturday, Sept. 7.
In Omodt’s absence, Bradshaw acted as chair of the board.
Under the newly approved agreements, the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office will provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, and supervision to protect the towns at a cost of $100 per month to each community.
Both agreements are two-year renewals of existing contracts at the same rate and will begin Oct. 1.
Later in the meeting, two members of the public told commissioners the monthly rate for the agreements was too low.
“I think we should be charging these cities a (heck) of a lot more for our sheriff services,” said Theresa Hiesener.
“We can barely get any service out here in our rural areas. I live in a 45 and these people drive 75 miles an hour,” Hiesener added.
Williams then expanded on Bonner County’s obligations under the new agreements.
“We're not guaranteeing them a car in their city. We're not guaranteeing them an amount of service,” Williams said.
Additionally, Bradshaw pointed out that Oldtown and Dover residents, like all who live in Bonner County, pay taxes to the county to support the sheriff’s office.
In the same meeting, the commissioners approved a one-year contract with Troy W. Geyman, M.D., to provide medical services for the detention branch of the sheriff’s office.
The contract amount will be up to $51,400 and will go into effect in October.