Bonner County 9-1-1 aims to provide effective, efficient service to all citizens in their time of need; ensure a safe environment for responders while maintaining professional conduct, and is committed to performing to the best of their abilities at all times.

Dispatch gets many calls on 9-1-1. Less than half qualify as a true emergency. Only use 9-1-1 to report a crime in progress, call for an ambulance, report a fire or to report anything that is an immediate threat to life or property.

Use the non-emergency line (208) 265-5525 for aIl other reports.

If you accidentally dial 9-1-1 please stay on the line. The dispatcher will need to verify some Information such as your name and address. You will not be billed for the 9-1-1 call. If you do hang up, your number will be traced and an officer will be sent to your residence to make sure help is not really needed.

Don't let your children play with the phone. Telephones have a safety feature built Into them to automatically dial 9-1-1 if numbers are pushed but don't dial a telephone number. When children push random buttons on the phone they will eventually call 9-1-1. Teach your children how to properly use 9-1-1.

• Always call from a safe location, if your house is on fire, get out first and call from a nearby phone.
• Teach children their full name and address, post your address and phone number near the telephone.
• Tell children to remain as calm as possible and to not hang up until the operator tells them to do so.
• If they call by accident, tell them not to hang up but to stay on the line and tell the operator there is no emergency.
• NEVER call 9-1-1 as a joke or prank! You can get into trouble and can delay help for someone who really needs it.

What is 9-1-1?

The three-digit telephone number "9-1-1" has been designated as the "Universal Emergency Number" for citizens throughout the United States to request emergency assistance. It is intended as a nationwide telephone number and gives the public fast and easy access to Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

In the United States, the first catalyst for a nationwide emergency telephone number was In 1957, when the National Association of Fire Chiefs recommended the use of a single number for reporting fires.

In 1967, the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice recommended that a "single number should be established" nationwide for reporting emergency situations. The use of different telephone numbers for each type of emergency was determined to be contrary to the purpose of a single, universal number. Other Federal Government Agencies and various governmental officials also supported and encouraged the recommendation. As a result of the immense interest in this issue, the President"s Commission on Civil Disorders turned to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a solution.

In November 1967, the FCC met With the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) to find a means of establishing a universal emergency number that could be implemented quickly. In 1968, AT&T announced that it would establish the digits 9-1-1 (nine-one-one) as the emergency code throughout the United States.

The code 9-1-1 was chosen because it best fit the needs of all parties involved. First, and most important, it meets public requirements because it is brief, easily remembered, and can be dialed quickly. Second, because it is a unique number, never having been authorized as an office code, area code, or service code, it best meets the long range numbering plans and switching configurations of the Telephone Industry.

Congress backed AT&T's proposal and passed legislation allowing the use of only the numbers 9-1-1 when creating a single emergency calling service, thereby making 9-1-1 a standard emergency number nationwide. A Bell System policy was established to absorb the cost of central office modifications and any additions necessary to accommodate the 9-1-1 code as part of the general rate base. The Enhanced 9-1-1, or E9-1-1 subscriber is responsible for paying network trunking costs according to tariffed rates, and for purchasing answering equipment from the vendor of their choice.

On February 16, 1968, Senator Rankin Fite completed the first 9-1-1 call made In the United States in Haleyville, Alabama. The serving telephone company was then Alabama Telephone Company. This Haleyville 9-1-1 system is still in operation today.

On February 22, 1968, Nome, Alaska implemented 9-1-1 service.

In March 1973, the White House's Office of Telecommunications issued a national policy statement which recognized the benefits of 9-1-1, encouraged the nationwide adoption of 9-1-1, and provided for the establishment of a Federal Information Center to assist units of government in planning and implementation. The intense Interest in the concept of 9-1-1, can be attributed primarily to the recognition of characteristics of modern society, i.e., increased incidences of crimes, accidents, and medical emergencies, inadequacy of existing emergency reporting methods, and the continued growth and mobility of the population.

In the early 1970s, AT&T began the development of sophisticated features for the 9-1-1 with a pilot program in Alameda County, California. The feature was "selective role calling." This pilot program supported the theory behind the Executive Office of Telecommunications Policy. By the end of 1976, 9-1-1 was serving about 17% of the population of the United States. In 1979, approximately 26% of the population of the United States had 9-1-1 service, and nine states had enacted 9-1-1 legislation. At this time 9-1-1 service was growing at the rate of 70 new systems per year. By 1987, those figures had grown to indicate that 50% of the US population had access to 9-1-1 emergency service numbers.

In addition, Canada recognized the advantages of a single emergency number and chose to adopt 9-1-1 rather than use a different means of emergency reporting service, thus unifying the concept and giving 9-1-1 international stature.

At the end of the 20th century, nearly 93% of the population of the United States was covered by some type of 9-1-1 service. Ninety-five percent of that coverage was Enhanced 9-1-1. Approximately 96% of the geographic US is covered by some type of 9-1-1.

Bonner County Assessor
Dennis Engelhardt

OFFICE HOURS:  9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Monday - Friday, excepts Holidays

Property Assessment

The Assessor’s Office keeps a record of ownership changes, maintains maps of property boundaries, keeps descriptions of building characteristics, and keeps track of properties that have exemptions. The Assessor also analyze trends in sale prices, construction costs and rents to establish the value of all taxable property.  The values are set as of January 1st of the current year based on costs and market from the previous year.  Taxable property is assessed every year and a physical inspection is conducted on a 5 year cycle.  If there is a change on the property, an inspection may occur sooner.  Assessment notices are mailed on the First Monday in June and the property owner has until the Fourth Monday in June to ask questions regarding the assessment with an appraiser.  If the property owner is not in agreement with the assessed value, an appointment may be scheduled with the Board of Equalization through the Commissioners' Office before the Fourth Monday in June.  After the fourth Monday in June, the values are set and can not be changed unless at the Board of Equalization.  

Since Idaho is a non-disclosure state, the Assessor's office depends heavily on the public to provide sales and cost information.  The more quality information the Assessor's office can obtain, the more accurate and equitable the assessments will be.  

Taxes are set by the Taxing Districts, County, Cities, Schools, Fire Districts, etc., and the assessed values are a means of distributing the tax burden in that particular taxing district.

Your Appeal Rights

What are your rights and responsibilities?

If your opinion of the value of your property differs from the Assessor, please contact the office to discuss the matter. The Assessor’s Office will be glad to answer any questions you may have about the value of your property.  If you can not reach an agreement with the Assessor's Office, you may then appeal to the Board of Equalization.  Only values, not taxes may be appealed.  You will need to provide evidence as to the reason the assessed value of the property is incorrect.

Exemptions

The Assessor also provides information regarding tax exemptions. These include Homeowner Exemptions, Property Tax Reduction, also known as Circuit Breaker Exemption, and Veterans Property Tax Benefit and exemptions for agricultural and forest lands.  There are qualifications for all of these exemptions. You may print an application for Homeowners, agriculture and timber exemptions from the forms tab on this page.

DATA PAGES

Currently our data page information is not user friendly.  Along with the Treasurer's Office and GIS, we are working on a user friendly page.  Until we have that, our current data page can be accessed by clicking on the data page on the left side of the page.  This is in an excel format and limited information and it can be sorted to locate the information you are looking for.

Contact Information

Assessor’s Office
1500 Hwy 2, Suite 205
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Phone: (208) 265-1440
Fax: (208) 265-1451

Click on links below for other community resources:

Bonner Partners In Care Clinic

NAMI Far North Crisis Line 946-5595

Sandpoint Community Resource Center

YourHealthIdaho.org

ATTN: Indigent Medical Services no longer provided.

Per 2022 state legislation and House Bill 735, financial assistance is limited and is no longer available for payment of medical expenses.

Per Resolution 22-56, Bonner County will no longer assist with rental or utility assistance.

Indigent Services

Welcome to Bonner County Indigent Services. This department serves to carry out the mandates and intent of Idaho law contained in Title 31, Chapters 34 & 35 of the Idaho Code.

Assistance from Bonner County is required to be “as a last resort” only; or when no alternative exists. Bonner County will require repayment of any taxpayer funds used to assist a county resident under these laws.

Before assistance can be provided, however, certain requirements will have to be met. The applicant must present for an interview and must be prepared to provide personal information and verification of the applicant’s living situation, income, assets of all types, insurance, resources, estate, etc., as well as verification of the applicant’s expenses which will be evaluated for necessity and reasonableness.

Once this information has been gathered, a thorough investigation will be conducted to substantiate the data and then make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for approval or denial.

Again, any approvals will also include an Order to reimburse the County, and the applicant will be required to sign a reimbursement oath.

County Assistance Program
Phone:  208-255-5291 ext 2
Fax:  208-255-2554

The Bonner County Coroner's Office
127 S. First Avenue, Suite 1 
Sandpoint, ID  83864 

(208) 263-6714 ext. 2101

Courthouse Security

For the safety of everyone, there is security screening at the entrance of the Bonner County Courthouse.  All visitors to the courthouse are required to go through the screening process to be allowed into the building.

The main objective of courthouse security is to maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone in the building. Everyone’s cooperation is needed in order to achieve this very important goal. Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited and will be confiscated. A variety of items may be prohibited because they are hazardous or could be used as potential weapons. If you are unsure if an item is allowed or not, the safest option is to not bring it.

If the X-ray or metal detector sets off an alert or alarm, a Bailiff may perform another scan, using a hand wand. The Bailiff may conduct a physical search of the person and personal articles to determine the cause of the alert or alarm. Before proceeding from the security screening area, visitors should retrieve all of their personal possessions.

Bailiffs will not hold unauthorized items for return later. Any prohibited item that is brought to the Bonner County Courthouse may be confiscated and the individual may be subject to criminal prosecution. Before coming to the courthouse, please review the list of Prohibited Items.  

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is located inside the Bonner Mall in Ponderay, Idaho. The DMV also has a satellite office in Priest River, Idaho.

Effective November 16,2020, all Bonner County DMV offices shall only provide services to Bonner County residents. Prior to service, customers shall be required to provide an Idaho issued driver's license or other state-issued identification which demonstrates residency in Bonner County. Click here to read the full document.

Online Renewals

The DMV handles vehicle registrations, license plates, titling vehicles, and recording liens. For Driver's License information, please go to the Bonner County Sheriff's Office Driver's License information page.

The Facilities Department consists of maintenance and custodial staff who maintain all of the Bonner County facilities.

Our Goal

The Facilities Department strives for a productive, safe, and clean environment for employees and visitors in all of our county facilities.

Bonner County facilities include the following:

* Administration Building
* Sheriff's Complex
* EMS Facilities
* Courthouse
* Prosecuting Attorney Office
* Public Defender Office
* Juvenile Justice Center
* Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Offices
* University of Idaho Extension Office

Manager

Teddi Lupton - Facilities Director
teddi.lupton@bonnercountyid.gov

Location/Hours

1500 Highway 2, Suite 135
Sandpoint, ID 83864

Monday - Friday  7:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Click here to head over to the Bonner County Fairgrounds website

The Bonner County Fairgrounds is located in Sandpoint, Idaho. Sandpoint is located in the panhandle of North Idaho on the northern shores of Lake Pend Oreille and at the foot of the Selkirk Mountains. The Bonner County Fairgrounds is north of beautiful Sandpoint and nestled near the base of the mountains, creating an ambiance of scenic beauty.

There is always something going on at the Bonner County Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds may be the place for your event whether you are planning a company party, wedding, a fundraiser, trade show, horse show or even a meeting. The Bonner County Fairgrounds is the place for you! Our Main Exhibit building is ideal for trade shows, banquets, and reunions; we have ample room for exhibits and patrons alike. Other buildings and grounds can be rented based on the needs of the event. We can provide tables and chairs, bleachers, stages and we have ample parking.

Located less than 2 miles North of downtown Sandpoint and 1 mile East of Ponderay, the Fairgrounds is within minutes from lodging, food, shopping and Highway 95.

To get to the Fairgrounds, take 95N to Schweitzer Cut-off Road and turn left, then right on N. Boyer Road and turn left into the fairgrounds. The Fair Office is located around the back of the Main Exhibit building!

Demolition Derby ~ Rodeo ~ Battle of the Bulls ~ Wedding Expo ~ Christmas Fair ~ Gun Shows ~ Home & Garden Shows ~ Horse Shows ~ Barrel Racing ~ Fundraisers ~ Draft Horse Show ~ Lost in the 50’s ~ Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Dinner & Auction ~ SARS Ski Swap ~ Craft Shows ~ Rabbit Show ~ Veteran Stand Down ~ Small Animal & Dog Shows ~ Reining Competitions ~ Holiday & Other Parties ~ Meetings ~ Auctions ~ RV Rallies ~ plus much more!

Information for Snowmobilers

Bonner County is well known as a winter destination for snowmobilers. There are over 300 miles of snowmobile trails throughout the county that will lead you over and through picturesque mountains and valleys, linking to a statewide trail network. Snowmobile activities are primarily managed by Bonner County, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Forest Service.

Idaho State Parks and Recreation

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (closed for Federal Holidays)
Address:  1500 Highway 2, Suite 337, Sandpoint, Idaho  83864

Our Commitment

Human Resources focuses on creating a strong, consistent culture of service to our employees as well as our community. We cultivate a professional, courteous and confidential relationship within the county and its employees.

Human Resources offers efficient and effective customer service for Bonner County and assists all County departments in the recruitment and retention of a productive workforce by providing:

• Employee benefits and compensation management
• Employee Relations
• Training
• Recruitment
• Compliances
• Organizational development

Bonner County is a Great Place to Work and Live!

Bonner County is a vibrant place to live and work.  We are located on the shores of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille and surrounded by the magnificent Selkirk and Cabinet Mountain ranges. Our four-season climate assures year-round activities for outdoor lovers, from snowshoeing, downhill and cross-country skiing, mountain biking, swimming, boating, camping, hiking, kayaking and more. With a population of only about 40,000, Bonner County enjoys a rich cultural life, including an internationally acclaimed two-week music festival every summer.

Bonner County offers it’s employees competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Bonner County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, we offer Veteran’s Preference, Bonner County participates in eVerify with all of our hires and we are a Drug-Free Workplace.

* Privacy Notice

* Bonner County Personnel Policy Manual

* 100 Compliance

* ADA Notice and Grievance Procedures

The Justice Services Department encompasses three divisions: the Juvenile Probation Department, the Adult Misdemeanor Probation Department, and the Juvenile Detention Center. Supervised Community Service & The Plant House is also conducted at Justice Services for adults and juveniles on supervised probation.

Our mission statement:

To protect the community from delinquency and crimes, to impose accountability for offenses committed, and to equip offenders with the required competencies to live productively and responsibly in the community.

Objectives

• To promote due process for offenders.
• To enforce Court orders.
• To provide consistent, professional service to the Court.
• To advise, assist, and coordinate with local resource agencies.
• To keep children in the community and in their homes.
• To promote drug free lifestyles.
• To assist victims through education and awareness.
• To model positive values.
• To promote educational/vocational opportunities.
• To promote good decision –making and goal-setting skills.
• To make appropriate referrals.
• To promote cross-cultural awareness.
• To provide for the safety of the community.
• To promote healthy and safe families.

Effective September 24th, 2024, our main line and fax line will be changing. The Main Line # will be: 208-920-6530 , and the Fax Line number will be: 208-920-5100.  Our contact information can also be found on our new website, spd.idaho.gov.  Until then, please continue to use our current contact numbers. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to serving you.

Serving the indigent people of Bonner County

“There can be no equal justice when the kind of trial a man gets depends on the amount of money he has.” – Griffin v. Illinois, 351 U.S. 12, 19 (1956)

Our Mission
The Public Defender epitomizes why so many have entered law school. They seek not fame or fortune. Instead, they seek the higher level of professional satisfaction of representing the people who most need legal representation.

Public Defenders stand alone, armed only with their wits, training and dedication. Inspired by their clients’ hope, faith and trust, they are the warriors and valkyries of those desperately in need of a champion.

Public Defenders, by protecting the downtrodden and the poor, shield against the infringement of our protections and, in reality, protect us all.

Hightower v. State , 592 So.2d 689 (Fla. 3d DCA 1991) (Gersten J., dissenting.)

In 1963, the Florida Legislature responded to the landmark United States Supreme Court decision in Gideon v. Wainwright, granting defendants the right to counsel in felony cases, by creating the Office of the Public Defender. In Gideon , the Supreme Court held that the right of an indigent defendant in a criminal trial to have the assistance of counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial, and Gideon’s trial and conviction without the assistance of counsel violated the Fourteenth Amendment. Thus emerged the first statewide public defender system in the nation. Our country’s highest court has also upheld as a fundamental right essential to a fair trial that an indigent person must receive the assistance of counsel in juvenile delinquency proceedings, In re Gault , and in misdemeanor cases, Argersinger v. Hamlin.

The Bonner County Public Defender is mandated by state law and the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Idaho to provide competent, effective and ethical legal representation to people unable to afford private counsel in certain kinds of cases where life or liberty issues are at stake. Attorneys from the Public Defender’s Office are court appointed to represent:

• defendants accused of crimes in misdemeanor and felony cases charged in Bonner County;
• defendants charged with felony crimes in other states being held by Bonner County for extradition to the charging state;
• juveniles in delinquency cases;
• parties in Child Protective Act cases;
• mentally disabled individuals facing involuntary commitments to locked facilities;
• defendants facing incarceration in contempt of court cases arising out of a failure to obey civil court orders; and
• civilian witnesses from Bonner County summoned by another state to testify in a criminal case in that state in the court determination of whether the witness must obey the out-of-state summons pursuant to Idaho Code § 19-3005, et seq.

The Goal of the Public Defender is to provide a fully competent, effective, and ethical defense to each client whose cause has been entrusted to the office for representation. The Public Defender’s Office strives to provide all mandated legal services in an effective and efficient manner and to conduct that representation so that, insofar as possible, the county criminal justice system operates effectively, efficiently, and achieves justice for the citizens of Bonner County.

Historical Information
Until July of 2002, public defenders in Bonner County had traditionally been private attorneys with whom the County contracted to provide indigent defense. Under authority of Idaho Code § 19-859(1), in July of 2002 the Board of Commissioners established the first full-time Bonner County Public Defender’s Office by appointing Hugh K. Nisbet, Jr., to become its Chief Public Defender and setting aside funds for the employment of staff and creation of an office.

Thus charged, Mr. Nisbet hired two additional attorneys and three clerical staff members. Together they set about the serious business of preparing an appropriate office facility to house the Public Defender’s Office and creating office systems necessary to open for business.

On October 1, 2002, the Bonner County Public Defender’s Office officially took over the case load of existing contract defenders, consisting of over 300 cases, and began representing clients in those cases and in all new cases to which the Public Defender’s Office was assigned by the Courts after that date. Between October 1, 2002, and September of 2012, the Public Defender’s office has handled more than 11,000 cases.

Along with the rest of the county departments, the Public Defender’s Office has submitted a Five-Year Plan to the Bonner County Commissioners in which we have attempted to project the resources that will be required to effectively operate the Public Defender’s Office in the future should Bonner County’s growth continue as it has in recent years.

Staff

Today the staff of the Public Defender's Office consists of the following:

• Luke A. Hagelberg - Public Defender
• Catherine E. Enright- Chief Deputy Public Defender
• Jay Northam - Deputy Public Defender
• Donald G. Terry - Deputy Public Defender
• Jeremy T. Reagan - Deputy Public Defender
• Jennifer Kohout - Deputy Public Defender
• Pamela J. Cole - Investigator​

All of the staff at the Public Defender’s Office feel truly blessed to be working with a group of people who are dedicated to providing legal representation to those most in need. As witnessed by the number of cases handled by the office to date, the need is definitely there, and although the case load is high, so are our spirits. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients’ needs.

• Location:
  123 S. First Ave.
  Sandpoint, Idaho  83864
• Phone:
  (208) 255-7889
• Fax:
  (208) 255-7559

The Bonner County Public Works consists of Road & Bridge, Facilities (Buildings & Grounds), Parks & Waterway and Solid Waste. Each department operates independently regarding budgets, personnel, equipment and operations.

* Buildings & Grounds is responsible for maintaining all county facilities, new construction and office remodels.

* Parks & Waterways is committed to enhancing safe and enjoyable recreational experiences on the waters, in the parks and upon the trails of Bonner County.

* Road & Bridge is committed to serving the residents and visitors of the County with a goal to make the roads safe and acceptable for all who travel upon them.

* Solid Waste provides both residential and commercial trash collection for Bonner County.

LOCATION / HOURS

1500 Highway 2, Suite 101
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
Phone (208) 255-5681 Ext. 2
Fax (208) 263-9469

Monday – Friday
7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Useful Links:

• Recording Fees
• Marriage Licenses
• Vital Records of Interest

Hours:  Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (closed for Federal Holidays)

Address:  1500 Highway 2, Suite 337, Sandpoint, ID 83864

Phone:  208-265-7974          Fax:  208-265-1457          Email:  riskmanagement@bonnercountyid.gov

Mission Statement

• Administers activities designed to ensure the financial stability of the County while improving quality of service and safety of employees and members of the public.
• Works with the Board of Commissioners to mitigate risk through the development and implementation of best practices policies and procedures.
• Provides support for the County's insured programs for property, liability and workers compensation; interfaces with the County insurance carriers.
• Oversees all tort claims against the County.
• Ensures adherence to all applicable local, State and Federal safety regulations and laws.

Public Incident Report

ADA Notice and Grievance Procedures

Internal Initial Incident Report

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The Bonner County Sheriff's Office.

Please click the link to the left for more information.

The Bonner County Technology Department manages the network and computer assets of the county. The Technology Department supports all county users with technical support and administers and operates the technology helpdesk system. The Technology Department is responsible for the back-office assets of the county, which includes networks and internet access, servers, routers, switches and network storage. The Technology Department also manages the security, access, and credentials of authorized users of the network.

Technical Staff:

Director - Jacob Storms

Network Engineer - Beau de Graaf

System Administrator - Daniel Howell

Desktop Support Technician - Daniel Fischer

Desktop Support Technician - Kaiden Rahoun

Photo Credit: Sandpoint Drone Photography

Register your Watercraft in Bonner County