Sandpoint council approves procurement update, two grant applications and confirms public-works director

Sandpoint's City Council on Dec. 18 approved a series of administrative and grant-related measures and confirmed a new department head.

Procurement policy: The council approved an updated procurement and contract policy that raises internal thresholds for quotes and simplifies procurement tiers. Central Services Director Cheryl Hughes told the council the revision aligns city practice with Idaho law (Idaho Code —7-2806) and allows greater flexibility for time-sensitive purchases in utilities and other operations without eliminating internal controls. Under the adopted changes, purchases between $5,000 and $20,000 will require price comparisons and a purchase order; purchases between $20,000 and $75,000 will generally require three written quotes; purchases above $75,000 follow Idaho competitive-bid rules. Council members asked about safeguards and local-preference language; Hughes said central services will perform back-end price comparisons and department heads will retain approval responsibilities. The ordinance updating the procurement policy passed on a roll-call vote.

Grant authorizations: Staff requested council approval to apply for two Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) programs: - An IDPR Recreational Vehicle (RV) Fund grant to upgrade the small City Beach RV park (site improvements, level pads, electrical upgrades, drainage and accessible sites). Parks staff said the site currently generates substantial revenue but suffers deferred maintenance and that the city would meet the minimum 5% match requirement from existing parks capital funds; council authorized staff to prepare and submit the application. - A Waterways Improvement Fund (WIF) application to support phased repairs and improvements to City Beach docks and the City Beach parking lot. Staff explained a full dredging concept would exceed available grant funds and require further feasibility study; instead the WIF application will focus on dock replacement/upgrade work in 2025 and parking-lot improvements in 2026 if funds and matching dollars are available. Council authorized staff to submit the WIF application.

Appointment confirmation: The council confirmed Holly Ellis as Sandpoint's public works director effective Dec. 16, 2024. Mayor Jeremy Grama said the appointment completes the city's transition to department-head-led operations; Ellis took the oath of office at the meeting. The mayor and council noted Ellis will pursue required professional engineering credentials as part of an expected multi-year professional development plan.

Why it matters: The procurement-policy update affects how the city buys goods and services and is intended to speed responses for time-sensitive repairs while retaining internal controls. The two grant applications aim to bring state funding to shore up marina, dock and RV-park infrastructure at City Beach, addressing deferred maintenance and preparing for higher recreational demand. The public-works appointment fills a long-standing senior vacancy and names an internal candidate expected to lead capital projects and utilities.

Votes at a glance (recorded roll calls during meeting): - Approve procurement policy revision: passed (unanimous roll-call vote). - Authorize RV Fund grant application: passed (unanimous roll-call vote). - Authorize Waterways Improvement Fund grant application: passed (unanimous roll-call vote). - Confirm appointment of Holly Ellis as Public Works Director: passed (unanimous roll-call vote).

Council directed staff to return to council for grant-award acceptance and for any large construction contracts associated with the projects.