[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6698465,"mediaKeyId","5613699-acc31c5ab97a51a032041dd6b6032e51","parentId",5613699,"title","Sandpoint council adopts $49.9 million FY2026 budget","audioSeconds",500,"startMs",5460000,"endMs",5960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5613699-acc31c5ab97a51a032041dd6b6032e51&start=5460&end=5960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5613699-acc31c5ab97a51a032041dd6b6032e51/thumbnail_5460000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6698465/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-council-adopts-499-million-FY2026-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698465-4d7a9da95f478ba9339e6d483ada049e/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961082&Signature=SUs5B9ZxauUrWFThxeRweb6G5yABfP7i~2xrFCUQTtCBDKHtKs0WPa3EWs3mRibv3trf58mor~uye5I3k1k3B45safSOOAE7lZJgzWApIBLx4mFc3PDBah8wpajxBPfGhykS~M8~5xdycyDm2ocnN-5AdUejktkKaIolQ4qeGtJTnEppmxAmlZUZQftjiDjAV0iqxIqcnqioKaqzFIGbR5jZDNsySzGTyUv02ZWGvlvY5Bfemnwz01zm23mrV34-eDwS0Q6PQR13E43Afptp23f9TBYJGelPr1j-B4lA-bP6O-6Sfaad-UhQuqx8Vrv8Ys8yEpquCn5CnzLGnd3VDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sandpoint","date","2025-08-21T18:18:45.217Z","article","The Sandpoint City Council adopted its fiscal year 2026 annual appropriation ordinance on Aug. 20, approving a $49,927,665 budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025.

Council held a public hearing before deliberations; no significant written objections were reported at the hearing. The ordinance’s title was read in council and, following a motion and roll-call vote, the council suspended the rules to adopt the ordinance under a single-night process, as allowed by council rules. Finance staff and department directors were thanked during the meeting for preparing the budget.

Council discussion included concerns expressed by Councilman Kyle Schreiber about discretionary capital spending and the need to focus limited resources on projects with clear, direct impact on constituents’ daily lives. Schreiber said the budget is the council’s “biggest opportunity to regain the trust of our community.”

The council also approved a resolution certifying the amount of foregone increase to be included in the budget (motioned and passed by roll call). The budget adoption included the usual appropriation, levy certification and provisions for severability, publication and an effective date as recited in the ordinance title read into the record.

The budget ordinance and related resolutions were adopted by roll call; staff will proceed under the approved appropriation schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sandpoint | City Council Meeting | 08/20/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved the fiscal year 2026 annual appropriation ordinance totaling $49,927,665 and related resolutions after a public hearing.","taxTitle","Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho","taxId",52019,"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},6698469,"Sandpoint council adopts annual fee schedule including parking passes despite downtown business objections",5318,1007000,6325000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5613699-acc31c5ab97a51a032041dd6b6032e51&start=1007&end=6325","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5613699-acc31c5ab97a51a032041dd6b6032e51/thumbnail_1007000.jpg","/articles/6698469/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-council-adopts-annual-fee-schedule-including-parking-passes-despite-downtown-business-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698469-23d2106ed89c3ff8cd323413bbda210b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961082&Signature=HVHN2fIctvmIEbFViabRXF5fmfV-BYTBMW8WBHISAibpXOYD~ssCfYss22eXWd54RaxqJo8DJZG7q1qX6QXrlgyJiG~0w3P43cgBLjG8pHsKFZ8AYGkwPikXKwCwHmEhpFpXMWHYEq9mYoZRQe9rEpSLFgSwSC0Lzfs4jJUNVbOI3B9XMw5hiKOOghL8u5OHYxnbOuxj5ElbbXxFtIPU8FePs1QRXQdQ73sZJeb5hg6~Sh1u6pCyUJr6gjSIF9mEQ8-uhA4ENduc7~GjQUky1o75VeeplIojk0ML1PLFJInQseSuvzxTTporDxYxBvRSzlUPVzen6L53fiTvwlVF-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sandpoint City Council adopted a revised city fee schedule Aug. 20 that includes maximum rates for downtown parking passes and other new fees after public hearings and extended outreach.

The measure passed on a 4-3 roll call following vigorous public comment from downtown business owners who said the proposed parking management approach — especially metered street parking and new pass fees — could deter repeat visits from local shoppers and harm retailers who rely on a narrow high‑season revenue window. The vote approved maximum fee levels while staff said actual implementation of paid parking would come later as part of a separate parking-management rollout.

Downtown Business Association president Sherry (last name not specified in transcript) told council she represents 40 businesses and said the group’s response to the parking plan was “not positive.” She argued the downtown economy depends on locals during the off season and urged alternatives, including reinstating a 1% local sales tax, suggesting it could raise more funds than metered parking. Stacy Mueller, general manager at Cedar Street Bridge (representing 24 tenants), said many employees lack close parking and urged that any employee pass radius be extended so workers living outside city limits would not be disadvantaged.

City staff and planning director Jason Welker and others told the council that the fees approved in the schedule are ceilings. Welker said the new parking-pass fees apply only to a small number of products in the fee schedule (resident, nonresident and marina slip passes) and do not by themselves implement metered street parking. He emphasized the council would receive a detailed parking management plan later this year, and that paid parking on some downtown blocks is aimed at achieving a target 85% occupancy level to improve turnover during peak summer hours.

Council debate focused on timing and process. Several councilors urged delaying implementation or more outreach; others said adopting fee ceilings now preserves flexibility so staff can finalize technology and enforcement details without returning to a full new fee hearing. The council approved the fee schedule on a roll call: Councilors Schreiber, Councilor (name redacted), and Ruhl voted yes; Councilors Howarth and Duquette voted no; Councilor Spiro voted no; the mayor cast a tie-breaking yes (final tallies recorded at the hearing).

Action items tied to the fee schedule included setting the maximum annual downtown nonresident parking pass at $30 and $15 for Sandpoint residents, and defining monthly/annual pass categories that staff will later operationalize when a parking-management plan and vendor contracts are in place. The council asked staff to continue outreach with the Downtown Business Association.","The council approved a new fee schedule that includes maximum fees for downtown parking passes and other charges after months of outreach; downtown business representatives urged alternatives such as a 1% local tax and warned of harm to year‑round retailers.",{"_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},6698474,"Sandpoint council sends $130 million wastewater bond to November ballot",3010,6334000,9344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5613699-acc31c5ab97a51a032041dd6b6032e51&start=6334&end=9344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5613699-acc31c5ab97a51a032041dd6b6032e51/thumbnail_6334000.jpg","/articles/6698474/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-council-sends-130-million-wastewater-bond-to-November-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698474-ee8b4f5ad0f0e3aa436972b222e3124d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961082&Signature=ZdF6DW2SB3GtuKqaxuY4pFcGl7SnLdeI5vtQfEZMTWeh47r0-pLr1tyDmTiUJre24LHeiPv81PpK~2q-PT2jHRK02QoPsPWnqRuhNKqoPJ6G-3HfhfBxyggXuqN1roz5G7eqYQ4b9Rlz6J72D7racPcpuEsyUhTlObMN-nGpfrb1ai6PYJHsA~uwyEyrUQ6AzJg6QHezCyqMScPzHTA0vqb8QBf90DqPLUPoNtev1cENQQB7sJfk3w9BoJ~AV0lRR12BwjPnbh2epm4qE5yt-2sTeZFGKgbQlnviHL7eMmu5oOJEafmzTkEnJwuTyrmzzb6XxlU4r4jBpzS12k4usg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sandpoint City Council voted 7-0 on Aug. 20 to place a proposed $130 million revenue bond for wastewater treatment plant improvements on the Nov. 2025 ballot.

Councilors cited the plant’s age, regulatory risk and recent engineering work in choosing the full-bond option over a smaller phased approach. Mayor Jeremy Grimm presided. Public works and engineering staff presented two options: a full rebuild estimated at $130 million, and a smaller, higher‑risk phase 1 option estimated at about $80.3 million.

The council’s decision followed an update from Keller & Associates and a survey contractor, which found strong community awareness of the plant’s condition and roughly similar public support for the $80 million and $130 million options when respondents were told the city would pursue grants and other outside funding. Amy Holly of Portman Square told the council the survey reached a statistically significant sample and that support grew when respondents knew the city would pursue grant money.

Ben McGrann, representing the Avril Edgewater hotel project, urged the council to grandfather projects with permits or phase in new impact fees, saying proposed fee increases could make projects infeasible. He told the council: “At the proposed $7,703 per room, a 105% increase, this project is simply unviable.”

Engineers said the full project replaces virtually all treatment-plant infrastructure and carries a large contingency because design work and value‑engineering are still preliminary. Keller & Associates noted the city had secured a high ranking with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality for a loan package that includes about $3 million in principal forgiveness but stressed the $38 million figure is a loan, not direct grant funding.

Council debate focused on timing, costs and the risk of doing the work in phases. Supporters argued a single comprehensive bond reduces long‑term cost risk and avoids repeated returns to voters; others said a phased approach might be more palatable to voters but could increase cost and regulatory risk if key components fail while future funding is sought.

The ordinance calling the election and authorizing up to $130,000,000 in wastewater revenue bonds passed its readings under suspension of the rules and will be sent to the Bonner County clerk for placement on the Nov. ballot. Staff and consultants told the council they would continue aggressive grant and low‑interest loan pursuit to reduce any borrowing need.

The council directed staff to move forward with the ballot language for the $130 million authorization and to continue outreach and education ahead of the election.","The Sandpoint City Council voted to place a $130 million wastewater revenue bond question on the Nov. 2025 ballot after reviewing engineering options, a recent public survey and grant prospects.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6698455,"City reports timelines for culvert and Boyer alley sewer repairs",72,653000,725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5613699-acc31c5ab97a51a032041dd6b6032e51&start=653&end=725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5613699-acc31c5ab97a51a032041dd6b6032e51/thumbnail_653000.jpg","/articles/6698455/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/City-reports-timelines-for-culvert-and-Boyer-alley-sewer-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698455-850a8d0ad1ffe06691e588a74d2ca751/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961082&Signature=eP1sLuoMQ6X6qqvb~-BBOjkiztn0G4ZwQ1YNQgHvJiNfwLQtmqDEi665gZpDLWO-YsfwKKJRlXnD6tUYB6F~oLECnqN1-2K5erRC0QDImsjkoGz9oMn2SoPAod4NOmqwTenBfhPsRolco5jsg7I95pTFmj5AhdeAzQftiPR3BTioQEXyN6EFrJHPhS5nl1FFhtRTbF3gviW0KS4IBOep0vP3Ccomb224rAawmbAkjiBjlQ-dQZQA7XqeWpnQzHP63S15L5BnH5GfnGokbUxDjkILM4iC4g1poE088yZX1uJfxdeNgxl~Mw43Sq1GhHnOCPLImaoCXo8QKHsUxIZC0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sandpoint Public Works Director Holly Ellis told the City Council on Aug. 20 that an ordered culvert for an emergency repair project is on a 9–12 week lead time, with construction expected this fall and the contractor to mobilize in mid‑October. The department aims to complete the repair before local asphalt plants shut down for the season.

Ellis also updated the council on a sewer main repair in the Boyer alley. She said a contractor had to perform additional rework that briefly closed Boyer; the work was a one‑day rework and crews expected to restore the asphalt patch the following morning.

Director Ellis said the city is planning a trenchless lining design to rehabilitate a problematic Olive Street sewer main; crews performed temporary grouting and patching but an engineered trenchless lining will be designed and solicited through a contracting process.

Councilors and staff told residents to expect temporary loose gravel patches while crews use the Dura Patcher and sweep later. Ellis said staff will update the council with definitive construction dates as soon as contracts and shipping schedules are confirmed.","Public works director said a culvert on an emergency repair schedule will be constructed this fall and a Boyer alley sewer patch will be completed within days after rework by the contractor.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6698460,"Council approves changes to off-street parking and alley rules, excluding expanded exemption area",8450,830000,9280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5613699-acc31c5ab97a51a032041dd6b6032e51&start=830&end=9280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5613699-acc31c5ab97a51a032041dd6b6032e51/thumbnail_830000.jpg","/articles/6698460/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Council-approves-changes-to-off-street-parking-and-alley-rules-excluding-expanded-exemption-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698460-07878dd45dc549ea594c5ce565ecda8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1774961082&Signature=NJ4tZoo4o0pUVJlCKTjymkF5VTlaF5eER57xMmc0HCh3bnaQ-JbHabYbgsInD3q06oTkxbs20dIw7YGZN2eqx9qLk1q6A-hoRsAo-zx8enuraHh32UcrN-bX3vg-l1o2YppaCPUURZCVtf~ebC9niHyh3jmic7ktaHJnLMQb8S3SCOEJAqSJKWHlbWwOBk8EzixJl3UvHdmYpCsJH57d2x9byfHrMMlIQIdso3MGe05Vqp1WYU53xvH9qnG~M-wBoQ9XFXtwNvn40NVwWplM97Xdjm0rrT6B1z2WpFVsabcUWcQ2528pBqAKLLBgJMLHxeD9Z9ak6XyYIph9huryPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sandpoint City Council approved changes to Title 9 chapters 1 and 5 — addressing alleys, hard surfacing triggers and off‑street parking requirements — at its Aug. 20 meeting, while voting down a proposed expansion of the downtown parking‑exempt zone.

Planners told council the ordinance updates modernize parking rules, add clarification for alley surfacing triggers (for example, surfacing is triggered by larger redevelopment rather than by single accessory units), and formalize shared‑parking and in‑lieu fee options. Bill Dean, city planner, explained the changes were intended to align parking requirements with downtown development patterns rather than 1970s suburban parking models.

Council debate focused on one contested item: a staff proposal to expand the city’s existing parking‑exempt downtown boundary eastward to include additional mixed‑use blocks. Opponents said widening the exemption could push parking into adjacent neighborhoods (noting East Superior’s narrow residential streets and a nearby higher‑speed corridor), while supporters said the change would let small downtown businesses reuse buildings without being forced to add off‑site parking that they cannot physically provide.

Council defeated an amendment to remove the expansion (vote: amendment failed) but later approved the ordinance changes as presented, with a roll‑call vote recorded in the meeting minutes. Staff will bring formal ordinance language for the next meeting for final adoption and publication.

Direct practical effects in the draft ordinance include allowances for shared parking arrangements, an in‑lieu fee option where applicable, and clarified surfacing triggers for alley improvements tied to the scale of redevelopment rather than single residential accessory units.","Council approved amendments to Title 9 (alleys and off‑street parking) but rejected an amendment to expand the downtown parking‑exempt zone after council debate over neighborhood impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sandpoint council adopts $49.9 million FY2026 budget

Sandpoint council adopts annual fee schedule including parking passes despite downtown business objections

Sandpoint council sends $130 million wastewater bond to November ballot

City reports timelines for culvert and Boyer alley sewer repairs

Council approves changes to off-street parking and alley rules, excluding expanded exemption area