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Bonner County approves Selkirk and Coeur d’Alene MLS data agreements amid public concern over access
Summary
The Bonner County Board of Commissioners approved two license agreements with Selkirk and Coeur d’Alene MLS to provide sold-data for property assessment work. Residents and commissioners pressed officials about limits on public access to MLS data and cited Idaho Code 74-1-107 as restricting release outside appeals.
The Bonner County Board of Commissioners voted to approve license agreements with Selkirk Multiple Listing Service and Coeur d’Alene MLS on Nov. 18 to allow the assessor’s office access to sold-property data used in valuations and Board of Equalization work.
Assessor Dennis Engelhardt told the board the Selkirk agreement (term shown as Dec. 1, 2025–Nov. 31, 2027) provides sold-data the assessor uses in appraisals and helps the county process appeals; the Selkirk fee is listed as $45 per month. Engelhardt described contract limits on public release and said the Coeur d’Alene MLS waived a monthly fee for the county. "Bonner County wishes to renew the agreement for Selkirk multiple listing services in which they provide the assessor with sold data information pertaining to real properties sold in Bonner County," Engelhardt said when presenting the item.
The decision followed extended public comment and commissioner deliberation about transparency. Resident Dave Bowman told the board that people who question their assessments should be able to get information through a public records request: "It would seem to me that anyone who has an issue with their assessment or even just wants to know how it was calculated should be able to file a PRR and get that information," Bowman said. Engelhardt and staff replied that, under the statute cited, some MLS-supplied sales information is treated as exempt. "Contractually, we can't release it outside of an appeal or a court hearing. Selkirk is a little more lenient in their contract than others are," Engelhardt said.
Commissioners acknowledged the tension between needing market data to reach accurate valuations and the public's desire to see supporting information before pursuing a formal appeal. Several commissioners said they heard community concerns and suggested more outreach and education about how to engage with the assessor's office before filing appeals.
The board approved both license agreements by roll call. The Selkirk agreement was described as having a $45-per-month sold-data fee; the Coeur d’Alene MLS agreement was recorded with a $0 monthly fee. Commissioners asked staff to ensure signature pages were completed and to note contract-specific limits on disclosure when communicating with the public.
What happens next: the assessor’s office will finalize signatures on the agreements and proceed with data access for valuation and Board of Equalization work. Commissioners and staff said they will track and respond to public concerns about access and will consider educational outreach about the appeals process.
