[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6146820,"mediaKeyId","5524215-b0114369b94e3f9c4ad2322cada34767","parentId",5524215,"title","Sandpoint council gives tentative approval to FY2026 budget, sets Aug. 20 public hearing","audioSeconds",371,"startMs",5175000,"endMs",5546000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5524215-b0114369b94e3f9c4ad2322cada34767&start=5175&end=5546","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5524215-b0114369b94e3f9c4ad2322cada34767/thumbnail_5175000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146820/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-council-gives-tentative-approval-to-FY2026-budget-sets-Aug-20-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146820-499bd127d621faf936b73f00af77afcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495441&Signature=Z~ndhR8GDypOJShXtYcqpKqNBGTrXZhB4tbcYw2PSNUJ3gkZTp9sqf~KYKpjiG-6QY08awjPFUzf4blbG3GggSsKbRsKbNdzuhYKnjz3pfph5qyygujTbLgayke8Js37cKeHFpnyRq~ljIxEa~L~8GO6uzzfoSOnDROxVKYEo7YUweNo-wViww9Ka5AwBShDq~1USOu0ktzU70Vz4yvMokyqcUt97eWiBHh3PcImxRcQIc-5sUBQGPlHxx36u68EJs~5jD9NELxcF-ML7LeElArBWEmp2mnigqulp8Vk9hOEnEczykxISOKgCoGdIS~dW9jQmXenYItNcqAuzJlsWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-08-02T02:36:45.367Z","article","The Sandpoint City Council gave tentative approval July 30 to the proposed fiscal year 2026 revenues and expenditures, declared intent to use foregone levying authority and set a public hearing on the budget for Aug. 20.

Finance Director Sarah Linz briefed council on fund balances, net position and one‑time resources before the vote. Linz said several funds, including water and wastewater, show large net positions that reflect past capital‑project savings and investment earnings, and noted the park improvement fund contains a donation tied to the James E. Russell Sports Center. She described how higher short‑term interest rates have produced larger investment earnings in recent years and that the city budgets conservatively for investment returns.

Linz said one‑time resources — described in the city’s financial policies as excess fund balance or nonrecurring revenue — are appropriate for capital expenditures, rebuilding reserves, early debt retirement or other nonrecurring costs and that staff is guided by policy on how to use such funds. The budget presented to council includes beginning cash that staff described as available for one‑time projects in FY2026; staff noted that many funds carry designated reserves for capital improvements and emergency contingencies.

Councilors also discussed a possible recurring revenue source identified by staff — a lease or other revenue from a city property — that could help fill a funding shortfall for a program identified in the budget discussion. Staff said they would return with details if the council directed that change at a subsequent hearing or amendment.

Councilor Jack (recorded as “****” in the transcript) moved to tentatively approve the proposed FY2026 revenues and expenditures, declare intent to use foregone levying authority and set the public hearing for Aug. 20. The motion passed in a roll‑call vote with all members present voting yes; the clerk recorded the motion as passed.

The hearing will allow public testimony before council takes final action on the budget ordinance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sandpoint | City Council Special Meeting | 07/30/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council gave tentative approval July 30 to proposed FY2026 revenues and expenditures, declared intent to use foregone levying authority, and scheduled the budget public hearing for Aug. 20 after a Finance Department briefing on fund balances and one‑time resources.","taxTitle","Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho","taxId",52019,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6146823,"Council schedules Aug. 20 public hearing on broad fee changes; staff detail sports, planning and parking proposals",2312,2639000,4951000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5524215-b0114369b94e3f9c4ad2322cada34767&start=2639&end=4951","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5524215-b0114369b94e3f9c4ad2322cada34767/thumbnail_2639000.jpg","/articles/6146823/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Council-schedules-Aug-20-public-hearing-on-broad-fee-changes-staff-detail-sports-planning-and-parking-proposals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146823-589c0498ae14cba21053fa40bcd1bf22/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495441&Signature=HTqzS7uyel0A4uGU21AIDB2~MDemdsacbQpR-m23BaeAtCIuupN21fNEIPVi17iwFKMxSUS4Hu-0V2PXaJtutzHOI29tODmGOtUUHKlSrk9oqLDJnW7fmNXE3tHKZ5V1NLrPrzFsRje2Q~~IEBeVmTP4QdGa~dW614Omuu0aPipuj5TBcs5gPXUzoUcU3aclZk6vNStYCwEnxhakKkwS6OQkyFqDAd5hqLAJmaWmT5jCGeuzxzj827yoO~9z5NEbwhrY8Zj1R3d4xHfPgeMyQFoj-Z3Zb6gwBjIToPfEMwP~AezJwiQwZxJr6Z3HTzo6DQG7~pCipuGe9ShCeODddg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sandpoint City Council voted July 30 to schedule a public hearing on Aug. 20 for proposed new fees and changes that would raise some charges by more than 5 percent.

Parks and recreation and community planning staff described a wide set of changes, saying they aim to simplify billing, reduce administrative reporting and more closely align fees with the cost of services.

Jason Welker, who led the parks and recreation presentation, said the James E. Russell Sports Center will move away from per‑visit “daily play” charges toward frictionless monthly and annual memberships and online court reservations. Staff proposed monthly rates of $99 for general public users, $69 for county residents and $59 for city residents; annual memberships would carry a $20 discount and be billed monthly with automatic renewal. Welker said the change is intended to reduce queuing at the front desk and to increase membership uptake by making access “frictionless.” He said private court rental rates for some sports will be higher than tennis or pickleball because they require more staff time.

Welker also described outdoor field changes. Organizers of ticketed events at Memorial Field would be asked to estimate ticket sales at reservation time and prepay according to tiers; the staff presentation said the stadium’s maximum seating and standing capacity is about 4,000. Staff proposed simplifying field booking by charging one rate for practices and double that rate for games and increasing certain hourly field‑use rates to move closer to cost recovery.

Planning staff described multiple increases for development review and permitting: larger subdivisions and replat processes would face higher fees (staff noted a 45 percent increase for some subdivision categories), conditional use permits would be restructured (staff said the prior single $2,400 fee would be replaced with staged fees including a preliminary development plan fee of $3,500 and a subsequent final‑plan fee), and pre‑application meetings would remain free for the first meeting but be charged at cost for repeat sessions. Noticing fees would be charged per round of notice; a PUD that requires four rounds of notice would pay the approximate accumulated cost of those rounds rather than a single flat fee.

Other changes described by staff: outdoor court private‑use fees would rise (a cited increase from about $3.75 to $10 per hour for some outdoor courts, with indoor court rates higher), the shooting range visit fee would move from $7 to $10 to cover a higher wage for the range master, community hall rates were simplified (nonprofit rates decreased in some cases; for‑profit rates would rise), marina transient and city beach guest moorage rates would increase, and parking and boat‑launch fees would appear on the fee schedule as maximums to be set later when technology and lot assignments are finalized.

Short‑term rental enforcement was highlighted: staff said the city uses a subscription service (Rentalscape) to scan vacation‑rental sites and will begin issuing compliance letters to property owners advertising short‑term rentals without permits; staff said the service costs about $4,000–$5,000 and the proposed enforcement penalty is $100 per day for violations, with staff planning to monitor how owners respond to initial notices.

Council President Deb Rule moved to set the public hearing for Aug. 20; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote with all council members present voting yes. The clerk recorded the vote as unanimous among present members. Staff will return with final ordinance language and the complete fee schedule for the hearing.

The council did not adopt the fee schedule July 30; it scheduled the hearing required by Idaho law for fees proposed to increase by more than 5 percent and asked staff to provide additional operational detail on some items before adoption.","The Sandpoint City Council reviewed proposed changes across multiple fee categories July 30 and voted unanimously to set a public hearing on Aug. 20. Staff described membership restructuring at the James E. Russell Sports Center, changes to field and event fees, planning and building permit increases and short‑term rental enforcement.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6146829,"Sandpoint council, mayor review division of duties in workshop led by city attorneys",1360,150000,1510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5524215-b0114369b94e3f9c4ad2322cada34767&start=150&end=1510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5524215-b0114369b94e3f9c4ad2322cada34767/thumbnail_150000.jpg","/articles/6146829/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-council-mayor-review-division-of-duties-in-workshop-led-by-city-attorneys","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146829-cbd45cb50036b23a56f06ee672550666/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495441&Signature=TrQ26pFIxfCf5U4Fz6ZxnFP4IY59ar9rAh-HGjvauldWilIUu8tgeBga016Eafzw5GrpOz60jLrlD1B8OJKdXRrM0yjYrEmL8vFf~jBL90o77TdSZb1YBZO4pPYO4heTGFQOExcAnni8Cq4lnAB2n6m49WRS1Tp1isFfpVFc6U8smoTBiNOoiRXCq2mFLQtsPuGrJ3PKnvVnLMYRHTigUeL1a1pxlWr661xBxK2k9n1tedBndpRTGEKD-0DvfihW0OFipWl99DJVkaFBMJ6EQduTnbdITFlz5cV-5bApIWNicFwOA04noK1FhYnfBLGdkhNBQd5e6Y6ca~TvZQKjjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grama and the City Council discussed the legal division of powers, staff access and the practical limits of a part‑time mayor at a July 30 special workshop led by attorneys from Lake City Law.

The presentation, delivered by an attorney introduced as Zach, framed the mayor’s role as “the executive and administrative overview and oversight of the city,” and noted overlap with the council through veto authority and the ability to prescribe duties for appointed officials. The attorneys also emphasized that the city and courts operate under Dillon’s Rule and Idaho law, and that case law may be used to resolve disputed boundaries of authority.

The discussion examined several recurring issues: how council members may gather information from staff, how department heads should prioritize requests when multiple elected officials ask for assistance, and how the absence of a city administrator affects operational continuity.

Council members pressed for clearer expectations for department‑head communication and for a chart showing lines of communication. Councilor Pam Duquette and others asked whether the organizational chart should show a dashed line from council to department directors to reflect “access for information” without creating direct supervisory authority. Several councilors said they want the org chart revised to reflect the workshop guidance.

Councilors also debated whether the city should continue with a part‑time mayor or restore a full‑time mayor or city administrator. Councilor Rick Howarth said the city’s “department heads function day to day and own and are responsible and accountable for their fields of expertise,” while Councilor Kyle Schreiber and others worried about continuity, succession and the potential for uneven decisions when an on‑call mayor is unavailable. The group agreed the topic merits continued discussion and that job descriptions for directors will be provided to the council for review.

Attorneys recommended that council members may request information from staff but cannot direct day‑to‑day work; they said that staff should communicate capacity constraints when competing requests arrive. The attorneys also advised that council could adopt policies establishing when staff reports are required for agenda items and that questions about the precise limits of mayoral authority are fact specific and sometimes resolved by case law.

The workshop included council discussion of appointment authority (mayor nominates; council approves), budgetary checks on executive authority, and the practical need for clear communication between mayor, council and department heads. No formal votes or policy changes were taken during the workshop; attorneys and staff will incorporate the discussion into updated materials and the council requested follow‑up on the city org chart and director job descriptions.","At a July 30 special meeting, Sandpoint City Council and Mayor Jeremy Grama held a workshop with Lake City Law attorneys to review legal roles, access to staff, and whether the city needs a full-time mayor or city administrator; no formal action was taken.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sandpoint council gives tentative approval to FY2026 budget, sets Aug. 20 public hearing

Council schedules Aug. 20 public hearing on broad fee changes; staff detail sports, planning and parking proposals

Sandpoint council, mayor review division of duties in workshop led by city attorneys