Bonner County Historical Society asks commissioners for $46,000 levy to preserve museum collection

Bonner County Historical Society leaders asked the Bonner County Board of Commissioners for $46,000 in levy funding to preserve the society’s museum collection during a presentation to the board. The request, society representatives said, targets conservation and facilities needs rather than programming.

The funding request matters because Idaho law gives counties the authority to levy for preservation of historical records, artifacts and structures; society presenters cited a statute they identified as Title 31, section 8‑46 in describing the county’s authority to fund preservation. The society told commissioners that preserving locally donated items is the purpose of that levy and the reason for the current request.

Chuck Lohman, a presenter for the Bonner County Historical Society, told commissioners that preserving the county’s artifacts is a legally authorized local purpose and argued the levy is appropriate: “Preservation is not a luxury, it's a public duty and one that this Board is uniquely empowered to support.” Hannah Combs, the society’s executive director, provided financial details and described recent revenue changes.

Combs said the society’s total budget for 2025 is $164,000 and that the amount of money the organization identified as specifically supporting collection preservation is $54,000. She said the society is requesting $46,000 from the county for preservation work and collections stewardship, adding the request is less than what the society estimates it needs.

Combs described several revenue and fee changes the society has implemented to increase self‑sufficiency. She said household membership rose from $50 to $60 and senior membership from $25 to $30; the society added a higher patron tier and said about 30% of household members have moved to that tier in the past year. She described research fee changes: “For research conducted by our volunteers, we've increased our fee from $10 per hour to $25 an hour,” and “for research conducted by our staff, we've increased that from $20 an hour to $75 an hour,” each with member discounts. The society also raised some lecture ticket prices, began charging $1 per student for school tours, and formalized curation and hourly service fees (now described as $50 per hour for certain paid projects).

Combs said those changes have increased year‑to‑date revenue and that membership renewals (about half renew between Thanksgiving and year‑end) are expected to lift totals later in the year. The society described outreach and marketing efforts, including a recent “Pioneer Picnic” that drew volunteers and visitors from Blanchard, Hope, Sagle and Priest Lake and produced 29 new members.

On capital needs, Lohman and Combs described facility repairs and a capital‑improvement plan. They said two contractor quotes for roof repair were $60,000 and $87,000; the range depends on how much underlying structure must be replaced. Combs said the society is establishing a sinking fund to set aside money annually for maintenance and quoted guidance suggesting $25,000–$37,000 per year is appropriate for building maintenance.

Combs also summarized grant‑seeking efforts. She said she had reviewed about 80 grant opportunities and applied for four grants this year, including three local grants (which she described as near certainties) and an application to the Equinox Foundation for $15,000. She said the society has not applied for federal grants this year because many federal programs are paused or under reevaluation.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions during the presentation. Commissioner Cornell questioned the statute cited and said he could not immediately find the provision the presenter named. A county clerk present confirmed the requested amount fits within the authorized levy amount under county statute, as the clerk said when asked by a commissioner.

No formal motion or vote was taken at the conclusion of the presentation. Commissioners asked the society to provide materials earlier in advance of future meetings so commissioners can review details in time to ask productive questions. The society said it will continue outreach to communities outside Sandpoint and expand volunteer recruitment and marketing work, including a marketing internship created in June to support those goals.

The presentation closed with an offer to provide further documentation on grants and capital plans; commissioners did not take formal action on the $46,000 request at the meeting.