Bonner County workshop paused over absent legal counsel; staff raise equipment costs, right-of-way and liability questions

A Bonner County workshop called to discuss utility permits, a proposed water intake line and related equipment issues was adjourned at 12:08 p.m. after county legal counsel could not participate, county staff said.

A county public works staff member told the group that the county has spent about $17,000 on groomer repairs so far this year and that one piece of machinery under discussion has a replacement value around $300,000. “We’re already 800 hours overdue,” the staff member said, referring to recommended replacement and service intervals for the equipment, and added that the machines typically are swapped out at about 2,000 hours of use.

The absence of legal counsel also left open several questions about who would bear construction and long-term maintenance liability for a proposed water…