Bonner County planning director raises revenue forecast, budgets $18,900 for short‑term rental software

Director Gabel, planning director for Bonner County, told the Board of County Commissioners at a budget workshop that updated May receipts raised the planning department’s projection for this fiscal year and that the department plans to include a $18,900 software expense for short‑term rental permitting in next year’s budget.

“This is going to affect our budget numbers,” Director Gabel said after reviewing permit and revenue trends for the department and explaining her method of prorating remaining months based on historical collection percentages.

The change came after Gabel updated revenue and expense lines with May activity; she said the department’s projection for revenue through the end of the year rose from a previous estimate of $889,000 to about $1,026,000 after recent receipts. On the expense side, she said the department’s budgeted expenses of $1,465,000 are likely to come in closer to about $1.23 million by year end, in part because some positions have not yet been filled.

Why it matters: permit revenue funds a large share of planning operations, and the board must adopt a county budget that reflects near‑term collections and predictable expenses. Commissioners pressed Gabel for clarifications on specific line items and asked staff to tighten estimates before the budget is published in August.

Key details from the workshop

- Building and permit revenue: Gabel said she now expects building/permit revenue to come in higher than earlier estimates,…