[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6566875,"mediaKeyId","3201234-45f01d2db4a8f8f99e9a5829b47bff0d","parentId",3201234,"title","Northside Fire District honors Christopher Stephens for extinguishing apartment fire and preventing injuries","audioSeconds",135,"startMs",267000,"endMs",402000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3201234-45f01d2db4a8f8f99e9a5829b47bff0d&start=267&end=402","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3201234-45f01d2db4a8f8f99e9a5829b47bff0d/thumbnail_267000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566875/Bonner-County/Idaho/Northside-Fire-District-honors-Christopher-Stephens-for-extinguishing-apartment-fire-and-preventing-injuries","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566875-1f1eaa726b97fa4f556cfdd59532e00e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773746253&Signature=lCz7cvHwwdiU2lFOoHow9UGbZ52z4tfbdGLTD9Wpo1XW-FN0tQQKn1KgpEbNjmzh3Iiu0b0pElTeNFcATCdSy~mMBSuEBzBQ0Mr57CJuY7xPQkAeppDE6CKu1K8mJlrjlLLRQzgfJ30TGicW80cjowc7pqumfJPXVEQ6WzSlHg7SQ6cpRHc6bs1xjNZE7fD-ub2nXF8l8R2~Bhrnt0Nm5rdQAfG1UQU8uxtYR7GxzcUdklr1sjAHYJH9jcqabnkTT6sYmc9-dnSMuFDrTFOFgr9IXZQlXXKlIxM8MsIQ2uHexDB1K44EVEQJD6vgfRjI9FIUdwnGz-I2XS-v4F-X3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bonner County","date","2025-05-06T17:37:41.293Z","article","Connor Robinson, acting captain for the Northside Fire District, presented a certificate of appreciation during the May 6 Bonner County meeting to Christopher Stephens for actions on April 25, 2025.

Robinson described the incident and the danger of modern couch fires, saying quick off‑gassing and superheated smoke can create an environment that rapidly becomes “immediately dangerous to life and health.” Robinson told commissioners that Stephens entered a third‑story apartment, retrieved a fire extinguisher and extinguished a couch fire in a unit occupied by two people, one of whom could not ambulate independently. Robinson said Stephens’ actions prevented further injury and “were potentially life‑saving.”

The board and the public offered thanks and applause. The recognition was ceremonial and no formal board action accompanied the presentation.

The county meeting record includes the certificate language and the description of the incident as presented by Northside Fire District.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bonner County Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Northside Fire District presented a certificate of appreciation at the May 6 Bonner County meeting to Christopher Stephens for entering a neighbor’s apartment and using a fire extinguisher to stop a couch fire on April 25, 2025.","taxTitle","Bonner County, Idaho","taxId",49415,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566880,"Votes at a glance: Bonner County approves fuel‑reduction agreements, equipment contract, claims and an appointment",132,3383000,3515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3201234-45f01d2db4a8f8f99e9a5829b47bff0d&start=3383&end=3515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3201234-45f01d2db4a8f8f99e9a5829b47bff0d/thumbnail_3383000.jpg","/articles/6566880/Bonner-County/Idaho/Votes-at-a-glance-Bonner-County-approves-fuelreduction-agreements-equipment-contract-claims-and-an-appointment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566880-e75e358621eea00cfada6c824d77539b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773746253&Signature=NIKpZpW1QIqqHhcdKW6kWrn9nUglVWi-2yLCwcshXUFXuc0CvnuDs3lR~BNPUbzvzg0sOst8n7zJej9xg7Yg5EmaFLMyRF3E7aPpe6WGPhLmPJSkCkowgXeo~rsZBKVKymVTIKH51ceucjWF75KZl0KLrftE4w-DHUnlxdCr8b6Am-CXEEEp9Yh83GHe3ufkrgaAUIWNvgDn6pHFUEhKT209W8eUgE-W5a3tWPyYr-0SZJ49c854vKtrYeG8ast~cys6~pAkiOM-vZjJFrNmac4xONwvf843U~BXsmu-TA9MzH-jzvqchNkK668oCLyIU3paDZvm5fPwDaovwr1MHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bonner County commissioners approved several formal actions on May 6, including a reimbursable general services agreement for hazardous fuels work, a contractor agreement funded by an Idaho Department of Lands grant, payment of county claims and the appointment of a member to the county fair board.

Key votes and outcomes

- Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation general services agreement, $74,000: The board approved a reimbursable General Services Agreement with Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation to provide financial support for fuel‑reduction treatments at 2 Rivers Park. Staff said allowable expenditures will be reimbursed; the agreement was approved and the chair was authorized to sign.

- Contract with Coeur d'Alene Equipment (Bonfire program): Commissioners approved a contract with Coeur d'Alene Equipment to perform hazardous fuels treatment project work funded by an Idaho Department of Lands grant; the contract requires no county match, staff said.

- Payment of claims (Batch number 30): The board approved payment of fiscal‑year‑25 claims in batch number 30 totaling $223,395.68.

- Bonner County Treasurer/Auditor quarterly report (FY2025, second quarter ending 03/31/2025): The board accepted the joint quarterly report; the treasurer reported an ending balance of $49,582,292.37 and said some funds in that balance are pass‑throughs for other taxing districts.

- Appointment to Bonner County Fair Board: The board adopted a resolution appointing Stacy McBrier to a four‑year term on the Bonner County Fair Board beginning 05/06/2025 and ending 01/15/2029 (resolution number read aloud during the meeting as \"2025‑534\" in the record).

Motions were made and seconded on each item as recorded in the minutes; roll‑call votes were taken and the motions passed. Several items were presented as approved by auditing, risk and legal before the board considered them.

What this means: The fuel‑reduction agreements and contract implement grant‑funded work intended to reduce hazardous wildland fuels in county locations. The claims payment and quarterly report are routine financial actions; the fair board appointment fills one open seat.

Provenance: Each action item was introduced, discussed briefly by staff, and approved by the board; staff and members of the public submitted short comments on some items before votes were taken.","At its May 6 meeting the Bonner County Board of Commissioners approved a reimbursable agreement for fuel reduction, a contractor agreement funded by an Idaho Department of Lands grant, payment of claims, acceptance of the treasurer/auditor quarterly report and a Fair Board appointment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6566885,"Bonner County commissioners defer decision on who pays for porta‑potties, park maintenance at Sandpoint‑area county park",926,639000,1565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3201234-45f01d2db4a8f8f99e9a5829b47bff0d&start=639&end=1565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3201234-45f01d2db4a8f8f99e9a5829b47bff0d/thumbnail_639000.jpg","/articles/6566885/Bonner-County/Idaho/Bonner-County-commissioners-defer-decision-on-who-pays-for-portapotties-park-maintenance-at-Sandpointarea-county-park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566885-963a7d9d216fb51a5f0de8bf5911b906/orig.mp4?Expires=1773746253&Signature=OrH7GBOMgVhnkRhCuv~Ri7e1cCRWmJfDsFkjtOkY6fC7aLMagmmeVsnVgjeGmptgSrsaNbArg50I1o-xGTuYbODeSZWaMH44n5w3Z~PPgbWEgGsBtK3BXyisrPaL7a0sQf21A4nLQBzNFCVvmOCCKGWmAbZI-VgNtOKcZRFHrvYIdxWuNDbxeMm30ALvSmnskPETpyZpEQf5Y7p5zWHAI1IrluqK7n2oa5EKR5bOWSRATBGIRSs8vYQxkp6g319PNYnmL1WemlQ3F3JKfDE9KU66cLFC2Q~3YE44jXw9xc32J42xmEvvE-Otq7ZIjW1qOHNHouVRjM7IO5NMZ5Ik2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bonner County commissioners on May 6 debated who should pay for portable restrooms and ongoing maintenance at a small county park near the fairgrounds that the City of Sandpoint previously gifted to the county.

The discussion centered on whether the park’s upkeep should be covered by Parks and Waterways, the fairgrounds’ budget or contingency funds, or whether the city or community partners such as Spot Bus should contribute. Commissioners did not take a vote; they asked staff to return with additional information and to consult the fair board and Mayor Connolly.

Why it matters: The park is used by local residents, seasonal visitors and Spot Bus riders, and commissioners said access to a restroom is an immediate practical need for people waiting at the stop. Who bears the cost affects county budgets and whether the county maintains a seasonal portable restroom in coming months.

Parks and Waterways director Mazeler told the board the park was “given to the county by the City of Sandpoint” under a signed agreement and had previously been managed by the fair board. The fair board later voted to stop managing the park and returned responsibility to the county, Mazeler said. That, she said, left uncertainty about which county department—Parks and Waterways, the fairgrounds staff or another office—should budget for seasonal porta‑potties and maintenance.

Commissioners and staff outlined options rather than choosing one. Possible responses included: (1) placing responsibility and a line item for porta‑potty rental in Parks and Waterways’ budget; (2) funding the rentals from contingency for the short term while the board determines a long‑term owner; (3) negotiating a shared cost arrangement with the City of Sandpoint, Spot Bus or the fair board; or (4) advertising a camp‑host-style arrangement in which an individual receives a lakefront RV spot in exchange for cleaning and light maintenance.

Public commenters emphasized practical and budget considerations. Monica Gunner, a Bonner County resident, said the fair board “did not want it there when the city put it there… now to have it dumped in their lap is really not fair.” Anne Wilder, a Priest River resident, quoted a vendor price and said the county could expect about $99 a month for a single porta‑potty: “$99 a month is really not that much if we’re looking at 4 months.”

Board members said there is currently no outstanding bill for the restroom and no need to rush a payment; the decision is forward‑looking, the commissioners said. Multiple members urged staff to consult the fair board and city officials to clarify whether the city intended the park to remain a county obligation under the original gift agreement. Staff told the board the original gifting agreement is available in the county’s shared folder and recommended contacting Mayor Connolly for the city’s position.

Next steps: The board directed staff to (a) follow up with the fair board; (b) contact Mayor Connolly and the City of Sandpoint about cost‑sharing or retention of responsibility; and (c) explore short‑term options including contingency funding, grant opportunities and a camp‑host exchange to buy the county more time. The item will return to a future meeting for a formal decision.

The board did not adopt a motion on the subject at the May 6 meeting.","Commissioners discussed a long-running disagreement over responsibility and funding for portable restrooms and maintenance at a county park gifted by the City of Sandpoint; no motion was made and the board asked staff to pursue further talks with the fair board, the city and community partners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Northside Fire District honors Christopher Stephens for extinguishing apartment fire and preventing injuries

Votes at a glance: Bonner County approves fuel‑reduction agreements, equipment contract, claims and an appointment

Bonner County commissioners defer decision on who pays for porta‑potties, park maintenance at Sandpoint‑area county park