Survey shows majority local support for Sandpoint wastewater bond options; city to resume outreach before August vote

City officials and their bond and communications consultants summarized community survey results on Aug. 6 showing that among residents who responded, a majority supported funding a wastewater treatment plant replacement through a November bond election — particularly if the city pursues state and federal grants and low‑interest loans to reduce the amount to be borrowed.

Amy Holly of Portman Square Group, the city’s communications consultant, summarized the survey of 223 respondents (159 completed responses) and noted the response pool is not statistically representative of all registered voters; she recommended extending the survey and additional outreach to reach a larger, more representative sample. The poll found roughly two‑thirds overall support for an $80 million bond option and approximately 64–65% support for a $130 million full‑funding option among respondents, with support increasing substantially when respondents were asked to assume the city would aggressively pursue grants and loans to lower the borrowing amount.

Daniel Quaid, bond counsel with the law firm representing the city on municipal finance, explained the election timeline and constraints: if council chooses to call a revenue bond election, staff should adopt an election resolution at the Aug. 20 meeting that will set the ballot language to be administered by the county in November. Quaid cautioned that public employees must keep information campaigns educational rather than advocacy and that elected officials may express personal views so long as they do not use city resources in campaigning.

Respondents flagged affordability and trust in government as top concerns and asked the city to demonstrate active pursuit of outside funding. The consultants recommended an education campaign emphasizing the city’s planned pursuit of grants and low‑interest loans, a clear explanation of projected rate impacts under each bond option, and transparency about ongoing grant-seeking and project management. The city suggested launching a public information program in September if the council proceeds with a bond call on Aug. 20.

What happens next: Council is scheduled to consider a resolution calling a revenue bond election for the wastewater project at the Aug. 20 meeting. If the council authorizes an election, staff and consultants said they will expand outreach and provide clear materials on projected rate impacts, grant‑pursuit steps and design phases before the November election.