Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Maintenance Fairgrounds Park topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bonner County assumes short-term custodianship of Fairgrounds Park, approves contingency funding for summer maintenance
Summary
The board delegated custodianship of the Fairgrounds Park to Parks and Waterways for the summer, authorized contingency transfers into park line items to cover basic maintenance and a portable ADA restroom, and directed staff to investigate electrical and water issues.
The Bonner County Board of Commissioners on June 10 voted to delegate temporary custodianship of Fairgrounds Park to the county Parks and Waterways department and approved contingency transfers into Park operations accounts to fund minimum maintenance through the summer.
Parks and Waterways Director Mazeler told commissioners the department has been mowing the park for health and safety reasons after the fairgrounds organization stopped routine maintenance. Staff presented four line items for fuel, sewage (porta-potty rental), tools and incidentals and said the immediate estimate for the necessary, minimal level of service is about $400 per month. The request was described as a short‑term measure to maintain safety and public health while the county develops a longer-term plan.
Commissioners and members of the public discussed the site’s history: staff said the City of Sandpoint donated materials and equipment to build the park years earlier and a prior board accepted ownership and maintenance responsibility for the site; staff noted they had not located all historical paperwork about how day‑to‑day maintenance obligations were allocated to the fairgrounds in past years.
Public commenters raised concerns about electrical and water infrastructure at the park and asked whether estimates exist for bringing utilities up to code. Commissioners directed Parks staff to investigate any potential safety issues with water or power and report back. Auditing and risk staff reviewed and approved the contingency transfer subject to moving funds into the line items identified by Parks.
A motion to delegate custodianship and transfer contingency funds to Parks and Waterways passed by roll call. Staff said the county will continue minimal maintenance for the season and then bring forward options for long‑term ownership and repair costs in the FY26 budget process.
