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Kootenai County to seek two grants for trail resurfacing and Carlin Bay docks; marine unit seeks staff
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Summary
Parks and Waterways sought board support to apply for a $125,000 Recreational Trail Program grant (with $125,000 match) to repave Centennial Trail Phase 2 and a $650,000 Waterways Improvement Fund grant (with $200,000 match) to replace Carlin Bay docks; marine unit reported staffing shortages and proposed higher seasonal pay.
County parks officials asked commissioners for support to apply for two grants to repair aging public infrastructure and detailed how the projects would be funded without general-fund tax dollars.
Director Snyder described a Centennial Trail Asphalt Replacement Project (Phase 2) that would resurface roughly one mile of the trail from Beck Road to Pleasantview. Snyder told the board the county would apply for a $125,000 Recreational Trail Program grant with a matching $125,000 contribution held by the joint powers fund. With board support, Snyder requested direction to bring the signed grant application to the board at 2:00 p.m.
Snyder also described a Waterways Improvement Fund request to replace docks at Carlin Bay, which are roughly 25 years old. The proposed project would use $200,000 of boating fee and vessel-registration funds as non‑general‑fund match and request $650,000 from the WIF; if submitted in January, Snyder said applicants would be notified in June and the county would advertise construction in July with probable 2026–27 completion.
Separately, Sergeant Ryan Miller presented year‑end marine-division statistics and said seasonal recruiting has declined; the marine division plans to raise seasonal pay to “up to $25 an hour” and expand recruiting through social media to fill seasonal positions. Miller said citations and OUI enforcement fell this season in part because of fewer experienced seasonal deputies and a greater emphasis on education rather than enforcement.
A commissioner proposed exploring more restrictive waterway ordinances and suggested a public hearing in February; commissioners and Miller recommended community outreach and data collection before scheduling formal hearings.
