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Bonner County assumes short-term custodianship of Fairgrounds Park, approves contingency funds
Summary
The Bonner County Board of Commissioners voted June 10 to delegate Parks and Waterways custodianship of Fairgrounds Park and transfer contingency funding to cover minimal maintenance through the summer, including porta‑potty rental and fuel (estimated about $400 per month).
Bonner County commissioners voted Tuesday to designate the county Parks and Waterways department as the short‑term custodian of Fairgrounds Park and to move contingency funds into park maintenance accounts so crews can provide minimum health and safety services through the summer.
The action follows a decision by the fairgrounds board to stop maintaining the park. Parks and Waterways Director Maz Oler told commissioners the county accepted custodianship under a prior resolution and that the funding request covers fuel, sewage service, tools and a handicap‑accessible portable toilet. Oler said the estimated recurring cost is roughly $400 per month and added, "this is the lowest level of what I think is acceptable for health and safety."
Clerk staff had previously confirmed auditing approved using contingency funds to cover the line‑item transfers requested by Parks and Waterways. The board’s motion delegated custodial responsibility to the parks director and approved the requested transfers; a roll call vote approved the motion.
Commissioners emphasized the vote was a short‑term measure to prevent the site from becoming unmaintained while staff develop a longer‑term solution and budget plan. One commissioner noted the county already accepted ownership of the park under an earlier agreement with the City of Sandpoint and said that, as owner, the county has a responsibility to assure basic safety and sanitation while staff evaluate electrical and water issues and longer‑term repair needs.
Members of the public asked whether the city originally owned the land and whether electrical and water systems had been inspected; the parks director said those infrastructure questions will be investigated now that the county has custodianship and that further work and cost estimates would be part of longer‑term planning and the FY26 budget process.
The board directed Parks and Waterways to follow up with Mark Knapp and to report back on any obvious safety concerns with water or power at the playground site.
