A determined vision for Sandpoint’s future

By Sandpoint Mayor
Jeremy Grimm
Reader Contributor

As we welcome the new year, I would like to take this opportunity to briefly reflect on your city government’s 2024 projects and activities and share priorities that will guide my efforts in the year ahead. 

Over the past — very productive — year, our city has achieved several transformative milestones. These accomplishments reflect my commitment to improving our infrastructure, enhancing transparency, diversifying our economy, and fostering a conservative financial philosophy of needs over wants.

Empowering leadership and transparency

This year we eliminated the city administrator position, which returned us to the pre-2016 structure where appointed department heads lead their respective areas of Planning and Community Development, Finance, Central Services, Fire, Police, Legal and Public Works. This shift has empowered individual leaders with decision-making authority while enhancing accountability through regular reports to the City Council. 

This structure has strengthened the resilience of our city government, ensuring that operations remain stable and effective, and avoids a situation where the loss of a centralized administrator could disrupt all city services. For the first time in years, our organization is fully staffed, which allows us to address challenges proactively rather than reactively.

Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm. Courtesy photo.

By decentralizing the administrative structure of our city government, we’ve also fostered a direct connection between city leadership and residents. This approach ensures that decisions are made with the input and insights of those who know our community best — our staff and residents.

Strengthening local services: Sandpoint Fire Department

Decoupling from the Selkirk Fire Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) was another pivotal achievement. Previously, Sandpoint was responsible for the administration, accounting, human resources, payroll and associated functions of the Sagle, Westside and Sandpoint Fire Departments. This decision to separate allowed us to restore the Sandpoint Fire Department to a locally focused operation with nine full-time employees. Our team is now wholly dedicated to serving the needs of Sandpoint residents.

This transition has reduced administrative burdens, created cost savings and improved efficiency. More importantly, we continue to coordinate with our former partners through mutual aid, maintaining our ability to respond to emergencies.

Engaging the community: citizen advisory boards

Community involvement has been a cornerstone of my administration. We succeeded in reestablishing several citizen committees and commissions that had been dormant for years, including those focused on parks and urban forestry, pedestrian and bicycling concerns, and sustainability. These committees have brought, and will continue to bring, fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and invaluable feedback to city governance, ensuring our decisions are more inclusive and reflective of the needs of our residents.

Our launch of a new, user-friendly city website has improved access to information and services for residents and businesses. Now, finding updates on city projects or submitting a concern, locating records or catching up on public meetings, is easier than ever.  

A roadmap for the future: Comprehensive Plan

The adoption of Sandpoint’s updated Comprehensive Plan marked a critical milestone. This 15-year roadmap outlines a shared vision for how we live, work, and grow as a city. With zoning revisions and updates underway, we are translating this aspirational document into actionable policies that guide sustainable, thoughtful development. 

Investing in infrastructure and recreation

This year, several key projects were completed. The James E. Russell indoor sports facility, offering climate-controlled recreation space, is now open. This long-desired modern facility provides a hub for activities and gatherings.

Phase 2 of the Skate Park and the reopening of the playground at Travers Park have further enhanced our recreational offerings. These spaces are now more inclusive, welcoming residents of all ages and abilities.

On the infrastructure front, we’ve made significant progress on the preliminary engineering report for replacement of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). This 70-year-old facility is a top priority, with an estimated cost of $130 million. Securing grant and low-interest loan funding for this essential project is an ongoing effort that remains at the forefront of our plans.

In 2025, I remain focused on tackling the challenges ahead and seizing opportunities to strengthen Sandpoint’s future.

Water service policies

Sandpoint serves water to neighboring towns and county areas outside our city limits. We will evaluate whether to continue this arrangement or transfer service administration to local jurisdictions. This decision will ensure that water service aligns with broader land-use policies and priorities of each town or area rather than involving Sandpoint in the management, maintenance and governance of these issues and decisions.

Downtown and infrastructure upgrades

Planning for the final phase of the Sandpoint Urban Renewal-funded downtown revitalization — First Avenue from Bridge Street to Superior Street — will begin this year, with construction scheduled for 2026. Robust public engagement will be a cornerstone of this effort, ensuring the project reflects the needs and aspirations of our community.

Additionally, decades of deferred maintenance requires immediate attention to city-owned downtown and beach parking lots. 

Implementing paid parking is one idea under consideration as a way to fund the estimated $300,000-per-year maintenance and replacement costs. 

This approach offers the potential for non-residents to contribute to the cost of wear and tear to these facilities, ensuring they are managed to reduce the financial burden on Sandpoint residents and taxpayers.

With the limited available funding, our project will be to rebuild Cedar Street between Division Avenue and Lincoln Avenue this summer. In the coming months, we will gather resident feedback to refine future proposals for a road repair funding ballot measure, likely in the spring of 2026.

Economic diversification

While tourism remains a significant part of Sandpoint’s economy, diversification is crucial for long-term stability and opportunity. We are pursuing multiple non-tourism economic development projects that promise to bring high-skill, high-wage jobs to Sandpoint, creating opportunities for residents and fostering resilience against economic fluctuations. By attracting and supporting industries that complement our community’s character, we will build a more complex, robust and diverse economy.

Addressing housing challenges

This year, more than 130 new apartments and 50 single-family homes were permitted, reflecting progress toward the goal of adding a greater variety of housing options in town. We will monitor housing availability and costs, working to ensure that local businesses, government institutions, schools and health care providers have the workforce support they need. I strongly believe that the best way for the government to address our housing affordability challenge is for the city to provide sufficient infrastructure capacity and a clear, consistent development process to allow the private sector to respond to the demand for housing. 

Parks

Rather than expanding parks and facilities, I will continue to prioritize maintaining and rehabilitating our existing parks and amenities. This practical approach ensures we maximize the value of our current resources benefiting Sandpoint residents. 

As my grandmother always said, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.” I will continue to encourage Bonner County commissioners to address the recreational needs of residents by expanding their park and recreational offerings beyond existing levels. 

I feel that with all the growth in the county, the cities of Sandpoint and Ponderay cannot continue to be the sole sources of developed recreational amenities for the residents of our county. It’s time for Bonner County to step up.

Gratitude and collaboration

None of the accomplishments of the past year would have been possible without the dedication of our city staff, the guidance of the City Council and the active participation of our residents. Your collaboration, feedback and involvement are essential to shaping Sandpoint’s future.

Looking ahead, I encourage everyone to stay engaged. Attend City Council meetings, join a citizen committee, and share your thoughts and ideas. Working together, we can ensure that Sandpoint remains a safe community defined by its natural beauty, innovative spirit and strong sense of connection.

Thank you for the trust you have placed in me as your mayor.