County commissioners approve $57K contribution toward $880K intersection safety project

SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners unanimously approved a $57,000 contribution during their Tuesday business meeting that will support a $880,000 state grant-funded project to improve safety infrastructure at 34 county intersections. 

With the match put forth, contractors will soon install upgraded 48-inch stop signs with lights that flash when vehicles approach the intersections. The project also funds construction of advance warning signs designed to ensure drivers are aware of an upcoming intersection.

“These kinds of sign upgrades have the potential to really help people understand and notice ... that there's a stop sign ahead, and get your attention help you stop in time,” said Matt Mulder, Road and Bridge Department engineer. 

Mulder added that he anticipates the actual cost of the initiative will be lower than the budgeted amount. 

“When the costs come in significantly lower than this, we are going to get a refund back of our match funds,” he said. 

In other business, commissioners approved a proposal to lease a lot at Sandpoint Airport for a 30-year term, with an opportunity for the lessee to extend the lease for an additional 20 years. 

As part of the agreement, the lessee must build a hanger on the property that will revert to Bonner County after the lease expires. 

Commissioner Asia Williams encouraged staff to examine the county’s existing lease protocol to ensure the hanger returns to the county in good condition. 

“The whole purpose is for the county to take over ownership,” Williams said. “50 years seems like a really long time.” 

Airport manager Dave Schuck, who presented the proposal, agreed. 

“If we were to have no additional term and just reduce our initial term to, say, 40 years, investors are still getting a good return on their money, and the hanger reverts with more life left in it, and sooner, to the county,” he said. 

After working through the agenda items, commissioners provided updates from workshops, meeting and events in the county. Commissioner Brian Domke noted that he has received numerous messages from residents regarding road maintenance and improvement, suspected land use violations, and the future of the Bonner County Ambulance District. 

“Those are the areas of highest concern that I've been receiving feedback from the community on,” Domke said.