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Bonner County will continue irrigating Bonner Park West after large billing spike, staff to investigate
Summary
Park staff reported summer water bills for Bonner Park West jumped from a historical $114–$146/month to about $646–$725/month; the board voted to fund irrigation from the general fund for the season and directed staff to investigate the cause and explore an MOU with the City of Priest River.
Bonner County's Parks & Waterways staff told commissioners that Bonner Park West experienced a sudden and unexplained jump in its water bill, from historical summer usage between $114 and $146 per month to recent bills of roughly $646 to $725 per month.
"Our bill recently spiked to 646 to $725 per month," Parks staff said, adding that measurements of sprinkler zones and conversations with the city indicated no detected leaks or unauthorized filling and that the billing included a one-to-one sewage charge that staff believes does not reflect irrigation use. Staff asked whether to continue irrigation or cease watering given the budget overrun; commissioners voted to continue irrigating for the remainder of the season, allocate necessary funding from the general fund (the department was roughly $600 over budget on the line) and directed the director to further investigate causes including possible meter issues, billing inputs, or increased delivery pressure.
Commissioners also asked staff to explore a memorandum of understanding with the City of Priest River for reduced billing or a waiver given that many park users are city residents. Public commenters recommended checking the city's monthly consumption record and potential mis-inputs.
