Bonner County commissioners unanimously approved increased detention contracts on Tuesday, raising daily rates for out-of-county juveniles housed at the county’s facility, according to bonnercountydailybee.com.
The facility serves juveniles from Lincoln County, Montana, Boundary County, and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho. A cross-state survey presented at an August 5 special meeting showed Bonner County’s rates were “way below” comparable entities, prompting the fee adjustment.
Under the new contracts, effective through September 30, 2028, Lincoln County and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho will pay $250 per juvenile per day—double the previous $125 rate. Boundary County will pay $225 per day, also up from $125, but received a lower increase due to an existing tax system partnership and ongoing collaborative efforts.
Boundary County also provides free technology training to juveniles in the program, a factor commissioners considered in setting the rate differential.
Commissioner Brian Domke stated the rate adjustment reflects a core principle: “It should not cost Bonner County taxpayers to house another entity’s juveniles.” The increased fees will cover infrastructure and risk costs associated with housing out-of-county residents, as first reported by the Bonner County Daily Bee.
Bonner County lacks a juvenile detention facility in Boundary County, while Lincoln County and the Kootenai Tribe lack secure juvenile bed space, making the arrangement necessary for the region. Ron Stultz noted that Bonner and Boundary counties “collaborate on, probably, a weekly basis because we have kids that get in trouble down here, then move to Boundary County, or vice versa.”