BOCC unanimously approves FY’26 budget

By Soncirey Mitchell
Reader Staff

The Bonner County board of commissioners voted unanimously Aug. 18 to adopt the county’s 2026 fiscal year budget of $78,048,046, bringing three months of work to a close. Though some departments saw an increase in projected spending, the overall budget is $164,558 less than in FY’25.

Elected officials, department heads and staff began working on the FY’26 budget May 1, hosting dozens of public meetings with the BOCC to comb through and reduce anticipated expenditures by renegotiating contracts and taking steps to increase efficiency.

“I really value and appreciate everyone’s participation,” said Commissioner Brian Domke. “I think the process — the path — we’re moving down is going to be a foundation to build on for the future for greater clarity and transparency of the budget process, both in the development, but then the expenditures later on.”

Based on the previous year’s growth of 2.15%, BOCC Chair Asia Williams said the commissioners anticipate Bonner County’s population will grow 2.08% in 2026, with the majority of new residents being 50 years or older, increasing the strain on area infrastructure. Bonner County Clerk Mike Rosedale estimated that Bonner County will earn $78,332,573 in revenue from taxes and fees in 2026.

Of the $78 million budget, the county allocated $24,449,106 to the Justice Fund; $12,340,651 to the General Fund; $12,178,443 to the Department of Road and Bridge; and $11,603,455 to the Department of Solid Waste, accounting for the majority of the budget. The next highest allocation is to 911 operations at $3,003,004.

“We did increase our contingency fund to its maximum, and part of that was to address the unknowns that we have had to open our contingency fund [for] in this year,” said Williams. Unforeseen increases this year included vehicle repairs and the rising cost of magnesium chloride, used as a dust suppressant and de-icer.

Some of the largest budgetary increases include funds for new software in the County Clerk’s Office, roof repair at the Bonner County Historical Society and capital vehicle purchases for the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office also requested — but did not receive — millions in funding to replace the 911 dispatch center and jail, and to increase records storage.

These and similar expenses are what Williams called “outstanding things that the departments reasonably reflected that they needed but that we just weren’t able to fund this go ’round.”

“We did a very good job as a board, focusing on our statutory obligations and ensuring that we micromanage as much as possible,” she added.

The county will also see notable decreases in costs, including in the Elections Office due to House Bill 58, which eliminated the May and August election dates for school levies, and in payments to Panhandle Health District.

“We, as a board, did not agree with what they wanted us to pay, and we, as a board, went to the health district and cast the only dissenting vote. But the dissenting opinion actually led to Panhandle Health reviewing what they were asking for, and every county got a reduction in their budget associated with Panhandle [Health District],” said Williams. “One of the things that we have to start addressing is, what do we need versus what are we getting from Panhandle?”

In order to account for rising costs and retain current employees, all county positions received a cost-of-living wage increase of $1 per hour, subject to performance reviews. The adjustment, coupled with other factors, means that 56% of the county’s budget will go toward personnel costs — a 2% increase from previous years.

“It’s the first time our county has done this. Instead of doing a percentage increase, we did a flat rate so that it was more equitable across the organization,” said Williams. “You’re seeing that change throughout a lot of different organizations where they’re not saying a ‘3% adjustment.’ … If you do a percentage, the people at the top get more than the people at the bottom.”

The Bonner County Ambulance Service District, which has been facing financial uncertainty since November 2024, will finish the year with approximately $800,000. Until recently, BCASD operated as a branch of the county instead of a separate taxing district, contrary to code. 

The commissioners, Clerk’s Office and BCASD Chief Jeff Lindsey have been working to extricate the district from the county, making it financially independent. However, the district had to immediately overcome a $2 million shortfall by taking out a Tax Anticipation Note in November 2024. 

The Ambulance Service District Board voted in April to raise fees for the first time in five years, helping to account for inflation, rising operating costs and increased call volume.

“We do anticipate that we’re going to take a TAN again,” said Williams. “The overall budget cuts during our 2025 year have made it such that it looks like we’ll end the year with about $800,000. That’s a huge impact when you consider that we started this fiscal year essentially taking money from the county in order to make that number.”