Bonner County reviews veteran services budget, weighs training travel and new waiting‑room chairs

Bonner County Board of Commissioners on May 28, 2025, reviewed the 2026 veteran services budget at a budget workshop where the office asked for modest increases to travel and mileage and discussed buying new waiting‑room chairs to improve safety and accessibility.

The discussion centered on travel and training, accreditation requirements, office supplies and one recurring equipment lease. Tom, Bonner County veteran services director, said in-person attendance at conferences is important to maintain accreditation and to coordinate with state and national veterans‑service organizations.

"You miss out on so much by not being in the room," Tom said, describing benefits of networking with Veterans Administration staff, state outreach directors and other county veteran service officers at the NACVSO (National Association of County Veterans Service Officers) and Idaho Department of Veterans Services conferences.

Tom asked for a modest increase to the travel/mileage line to cover rising airline fees and higher GSA mileage reimbursement rates; he said he was "being extremely fiscally conservative" and believes the requested adjustment will cover anticipated costs. Commissioner Korn signaled support for the request and Commissioner Corn agreed, saying the director should proceed if he feels confident.

Commissioners and staff also discussed other line items. Tom proposed maintaining a $900 education budget for national conferences and related training; he noted the national conference cost rose from about $350 last year to about $400 this year and said $900 is a conservative estimate for next year given anticipated additional training. He reported office‑supply spending went slightly over this year and asked that any planned furniture purchases (notably higher, water‑resistant guest chairs) be itemized under an appropriate line rather than rolled into "miscellaneous." County staff said they will reclassify certain charges (for example, cell phone expense currently listed under "internet") and will move printing costs out of repairs and maintenance into a printing/printing‑usage category consistent with other departments.

On equipment and leases, Tom said the office’s Canon printer is on a five‑year lease at about $67 per month (about $804 annually). He and staff discussed the county’s new shared phone/network arrangements and that some cell‑phone expenses are expected to decline under the new plan. For miscellaneous expenses, Tom identified two items he considered truly miscellaneous this year: shipping/handling and a vinyl banner used for a Schweitzer Military Appreciation event; staff said known purchases should be coded to the specific category with cost detail.

Safety and accessibility for veterans using the office drove a distinct line of discussion: Tom said he would like to buy three to four higher‑arm waiting‑room chairs to help visitors stand and sit more safely. Commissioners asked Tom to coordinate with Teddy (facilities/procurement) or Michael (GIS staff, who had previously located suppliers for chairs) to list chair options and costs and return that information at the next budget meeting. Commissioners said if Tom has room in the current year's budget the purchases could be evaluated for mid‑year use; no formal appropriation or vote occurred at the workshop.

Staff and commissioners praised the level of detail Tom provided in his emailed budget materials; they said clearer line‑item descriptions make mid‑year adjustments less likely and improve planning for the following fiscal year. The workshop concluded with staff agreeing to reclassify several line items, to itemize planned furniture purchases, and for Tom to return with cost details for waiting‑room chairs at a future meeting.

No formal motions or votes were recorded during this workshop session; the meeting was adjourned at 9:32 a.m.