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Bonner County approves $2.55 million in road-and-bridge budget adjustments to finish Clangstone Road, replace Coqualala Bridge
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved a package of four road-and-bridge budget actions on Oct. 7 to add unanticipated state revenue, carry forward partially spent project funds, and allocate accrued interest for future projects.
Bonner County commissioners on Oct. 7 approved a package of four motions that add $2,546,970.54 in unanticipated state revenue to the road-and-bridge budget, carry forward partially spent project funds from fiscal 2025 into fiscal 2026, and continue an interest‑carryforward practice to fund future road projects.
County Road & Bridge Director Jason Taub told the board the $2,546,970.54 represents excess state tax revenue distributed to local jurisdictions and proposed splitting that sum between asphalt mix and bridge repairs. "These funds came from the excess tax revenue from the state and the state's general fund that was distributed throughout the local jurisdictions by a percentage depending on population and mileage," Taub said. The board voted to increase the county asphalt mix line by $1,426,687.06 to complete the remaining 5.7 miles of Clangstone Road and to increase the bridge‑repairs line by $1,120,283.48 for replacement of the Coqualala Bridge.
The board also approved two carryforward items for projects started in fiscal 2025 that will be completed in fiscal 2026. Commissioners authorized carrying $249,866 forward for the East Shore Guardrail project — awarded Aug. 19, 2025 — and $617,354.98 for the Spirit Lake Curve project, the remainder of a previously obligated $677,100 state/local agreement. Taub said the Spirit Lake allocation reflects funds obligated under a state/local agreement and that only part of the committed sum was expended in fiscal 2025.
Separately, commissioners approved a resolution to carry forward interest accrued on the road-and-bridge fund balance into fiscal 2026 and to continue monthly accrual to revenue line 002-4710 for future projects. A presentation to the board said the interest rollforward was intended to build a small local source of funds — in part to help advance larger projects such as the East River Loop project — rather than return those interest earnings immediately to the general fund.
All four measures passed on roll-call votes after brief board discussion. Commissioners emphasized the operational need to finish projects that span fiscal years and the practical benefits of using locally available interest revenue to reduce total project cost over time.
Why it matters: The budget moves preserve funding for two active projects already under way and set aside locally earned interest to accelerate future road-and-bridge work, which county officials said could reduce overall project costs.
What happens next: Road & Bridge staff will work with the clerk to open the FY 2026 budget lines as authorized; projects already underway will proceed toward the stated completions and the county will track the carried‑forward funds for audit and reporting.
