Click this link to optimize Open Town Hall for screen readers Skip to Content
Open Town Hall
Opengov
Jobs & Economic Development

We want to hear from you about your priorities for economic development and what you think the City of Sandpoint should focus on in order to grow a more diverse, healthy, and vibrant economy. Your response to the survey will inform the priorities set forth in the Comprehensive Plan Update.

This topic is closed

68 registered responses


Please indicate your level of agreement with each statement below (with 1 being not satisfied and 5 being very satisfied):

Sandpoint offers many great eating, drinking, and entertainment venues.
Response Percent Response Count
1 1.5% 1
2 2.9% 2
3 16.2% 11
4 48.5% 33
5 29.4% 20
Not applicable 1.5% 1
Sandpoint offers high-quality public spaces such as parks, plazas, and walkable shopping streets
Response Percent Response Count
1 1.5% 1
2 5.9% 4
3 20.6% 14
4 47.1% 32
5 25.0% 17
Sandpoint offers high quality job opportunities in my occupation/profession.
Response Percent Response Count
1 19.1% 13
2 33.8% 23
3 25.0% 17
4 7.4% 5
5 1.5% 1
Not applicable 13.2% 9
Sandpoint is a great environment for small business.
Response Percent Response Count
1 10.3% 7
2 17.6% 12
3 42.6% 29
4 14.7% 10
5 4.4% 3
Not applicable 8.8% 6
Sandpoint offers adequate support and services for entrepreneurs and small business owners to startup and expand.
Response Percent Response Count
1 19.1% 13
2 16.2% 11
3 35.3% 24
4 7.4% 5
5 1.5% 1
Not applicable 17.6% 12
I have access to great education and job training opportunities nearby.
Response Percent Response Count
1 25.0% 17
2 22.1% 15
3 23.5% 16
4 2.9% 2
5 1.5% 1
Not applicable 23.5% 16
Housing in Sandpoint is affordable to people and families with a range of different incomes.
Response Percent Response Count
1 54.4% 37
2 30.9% 21
3 8.8% 6
4 1.5% 1
5 1.5% 1
Not applicable 1.5% 1
Existing transportation options in Sandpoint make it easy for me to get to work.
Response Percent Response Count
1 7.4% 5
2 10.3% 7
3 16.2% 11
4 22.1% 15
5 13.2% 9
Not applicable 29.4% 20

Of the needs identified in the previous question we want to know which are the most important to you. Please select how important each action is for you (with 1 being not important and 5 being very important).

Increase the number of great eating, drinking, and entertainment places in Sandpoint
Response Percent Response Count
1 32.4% 22
2 14.7% 10
3 27.9% 19
4 17.6% 12
5 5.9% 4
No opinion 1.5% 1
Increase the number of high-quality public spaces, such as parks, plazas, or walkable shopping streets.
Response Percent Response Count
1 20.6% 14
2 11.8% 8
3 25.0% 17
4 17.6% 12
5 22.1% 15
No opinion 1.5% 1
Make it easier to find high quality job opportunities in my occupation/profession in Sandpoint.
Response Percent Response Count
1 13.2% 9
2 7.4% 5
3 13.2% 9
4 16.2% 11
5 33.8% 23
No opinion 16.2% 11
Improve opportunities for small businesses in Sandpoint
Response Percent Response Count
2 1.5% 1
3 16.2% 11
4 38.2% 26
5 38.2% 26
No opinion 4.4% 3
Increase efforts to prevent displacement of small businesses in Sandpoint
Response Percent Response Count
1 1.5% 1
2 2.9% 2
3 17.6% 12
4 35.3% 24
5 38.2% 26
No opinion 2.9% 2
Offer more services for entrepreneurs and small business owners to get established or expand in Sandpoint
Response Percent Response Count
2 4.4% 3
3 20.6% 14
4 36.8% 25
5 32.4% 22
No opinion 2.9% 2
Increase the education and job training opportunities in Sandpoint
Response Percent Response Count
1 5.9% 4
2 4.4% 3
3 11.8% 8
4 33.8% 23
5 41.2% 28
No opinion 2.9% 2
Increase the diversity and affordability of housing options in Sandpoint
Response Percent Response Count
1 4.4% 3
2 2.9% 2
3 11.8% 8
4 27.9% 19
5 52.9% 36

What types of products and services would you like to have available in Sandpoint?

Answered
28
Skipped
40

Where do you primarily shop?

Autos and automotive parts
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 47.8% 32
Other in Bonner County 32.8% 22
Outside Bonner County 23.9% 16
Online 9.0% 6
Not applicable 3.0% 2
Clothing
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 34.3% 23
Other in Bonner County 20.9% 14
Outside Bonner County 34.3% 23
Online 35.8% 24
Food/beverage stores
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 77.6% 52
Other in Bonner County 25.4% 17
Outside Bonner County 9.0% 6
Online 1.5% 1
Not applicable 4.5% 3
Garden and Nursery
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 32.8% 22
Other in Bonner County 55.2% 37
Outside Bonner County 6.0% 4
Online 1.5% 1
Not applicable 7.5% 5
Grocery
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 77.6% 52
Other in Bonner County 26.9% 18
Outside Bonner County 11.9% 8
Online 1.5% 1
Not applicable 1.5% 1
Home Improvement
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 32.8% 22
Other in Bonner County 71.6% 48
Outside Bonner County 7.5% 5
Online 4.5% 3
Not applicable 3.0% 2
Furniture and Appliances
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 16.4% 11
Other in Bonner County 40.3% 27
Outside Bonner County 37.3% 25
Online 20.9% 14
Not applicable 7.5% 5
Pharmacy
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 83.6% 56
Other in Bonner County 14.9% 10
Online 1.5% 1
Not applicable 4.5% 3
Electronics
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 7.5% 5
Other in Bonner County 13.4% 9
Outside Bonner County 29.9% 20
Online 61.2% 41
Not applicable 4.5% 3
Jewelry
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 32.8% 22
Other in Bonner County 10.4% 7
Outside Bonner County 16.4% 11
Online 9.0% 6
Not applicable 40.3% 27
Sporting Goods
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 49.3% 33
Other in Bonner County 19.4% 13
Outside Bonner County 14.9% 10
Online 29.9% 20
Not applicable 11.9% 8
Books
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 32.8% 22
Other in Bonner County 6.0% 4
Outside Bonner County 9.0% 6
Online 64.2% 43
Not applicable 4.5% 3
Other
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 4.5% 3
Outside Bonner County 1.5% 1
Online 13.4% 9
Not applicable 11.9% 8

Where do you go to get the following services?

Automotive Repair
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 58.2% 39
Other in Bonner County 38.8% 26
Outside Bonner County 13.4% 9
Not applicable 4.5% 3
Banking/Financial services
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 71.6% 48
Other in Bonner County 20.9% 14
Outside Bonner County 16.4% 11
Not applicable 3.0% 2
Business services
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 64.2% 43
Other in Bonner County 10.4% 7
Outside Bonner County 7.5% 5
Not applicable 22.4% 15
Childcare
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 14.9% 10
Other in Bonner County 3.0% 2
Not applicable 77.6% 52
Dry Cleaner/tailor
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 53.7% 36
Other in Bonner County 4.5% 3
Outside Bonner County 1.5% 1
Not applicable 40.3% 27
Legal
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 59.7% 40
Other in Bonner County 4.5% 3
Outside Bonner County 11.9% 8
Not applicable 25.4% 17
Medical
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 80.6% 54
Other in Bonner County 16.4% 11
Outside Bonner County 16.4% 11
Not applicable 6.0% 4
Dental
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 80.6% 54
Other in Bonner County 7.5% 5
Outside Bonner County 11.9% 8
Not applicable 6.0% 4
Restaurants
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 86.6% 58
Other in Bonner County 32.8% 22
Outside Bonner County 20.9% 14
Not applicable 3.0% 2
Coffee/tea shops
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 82.1% 55
Other in Bonner County 14.9% 10
Outside Bonner County 7.5% 5
Not applicable 10.4% 7
Personal
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 73.1% 49
Other in Bonner County 19.4% 13
Outside Bonner County 19.4% 13
Not applicable 10.4% 7
Other
Response Percent Response Count
Sandpoint 9.0% 6
Other in Bonner County 3.0% 2
Outside Bonner County 6.0% 4
Not applicable 10.4% 7

What are the biggest deterrents to shopping locally in Sandpoint for goods or services (choose as many as apply)?

Response Percent Response Count
Too expensive 38.5% 25
Not available 76.9% 50
Traffic 15.4% 10
Parking 40.0% 26
Other 7.7% 5

What would incentivize you to shop locally?

Answered
45
Skipped
23

Is there any feedback you would like to share regarding economic development within the City of Sandpoint?

Answered
28
Skipped
40

Do you own a business in Sandpoint city limits? (pick one)?

Response Percent Response Count
Yes 42.9% 24
I own a business in Bonner County but outside of Sandpoint city limits. 3.6% 2
I do not own a business. 53.6% 30

If you own a business, how many employees does your business employ, excluding yourself?

Average
5.23
Total
136.00
Count
26
Skipped
42

If you own a business, which of the following best describes your business?

Response Percent Response Count
Restaurant/café/bar 11.4% 4
Retail 8.6% 3
Grocery/Convenience/Food Store 2.9% 1
Professional Services 25.7% 9
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) 5.7% 2
Warehouse/Distribution 2.9% 1
I don’t own a business. 25.7% 9
Other 17.1% 6

If you own or have owned a business in Sandpoint, please choose your level of agreement with the following statements (with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree).

Sandpoint is a good place to locate and manage a business.
Response Percent Response Count
2 20.0% 7
3 31.4% 11
4 22.9% 8
5 11.4% 4
Not Applicable 14.3% 5
Sandpoint is business friendly.
Response Percent Response Count
1 8.6% 3
2 22.9% 8
3 25.7% 9
4 17.1% 6
5 11.4% 4
Not Applicable 14.3% 5
It is easy to attract skilled workers to Sandpoint.
Response Percent Response Count
1 22.9% 8
2 25.7% 9
3 25.7% 9
5 2.9% 1
Not Applicable 22.9% 8
It is easy to retain skilled workers in Sandpoint.
Response Percent Response Count
1 17.1% 6
2 25.7% 9
3 28.6% 10
4 5.7% 2
5 2.9% 1
Not Applicable 20.0% 7
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a retail business.
Response Percent Response Count
1 14.3% 5
2 11.4% 4
3 28.6% 10
4 2.9% 1
5 2.9% 1
Not Applicable 40.0% 14
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a professional service-oriented business.
Response Percent Response Count
1 2.9% 1
2 17.1% 6
3 20.0% 7
4 22.9% 8
5 14.3% 5
Not Applicable 22.9% 8
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a manufacturing business.
Response Percent Response Count
2 5.7% 2
3 20.0% 7
4 14.3% 5
5 11.4% 4
Not Applicable 48.6% 17
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a construction business.
Response Percent Response Count
2 5.7% 2
3 14.3% 5
4 20.0% 7
5 17.1% 6
Not Applicable 40.0% 14
There are plenty of affordable, quality housing options for my employees.
Response Percent Response Count
1 48.6% 17
2 20.0% 7
3 5.7% 2
4 2.9% 1
Not Applicable 22.9% 8

How can the City support local business owners?

Answered
20
Skipped
48

Using the numbered areas in the map above, identify where you live in Sandpoint. If you do not live in the Sandpoint city limits, please select the city or area in which you live:

Response Percent Response Count
Area 1 2.9% 2
Area 2 1.5% 1
Area 3 4.4% 3
Area 4 8.8% 6
Area 5 14.7% 10
Area 7 7.4% 5
Area 8 14.7% 10
Area 9 11.8% 8
Ponderay 1.5% 1
Sagle 8.8% 6
Dover 1.5% 1
Other Bonner County 17.6% 12
None of the above 4.4% 3

Tell us a little about your relationship with the City of Sandpoint. Check all that apply:

Response Percent Response Count
I work in Sandpoint 53.7% 36
I'm a student in Sandpoint 1.5% 1
I'm retired in Sandpoint 17.9% 12
I often visit Sandpoint 14.9% 10
I own property in Sandpoint 52.2% 35
I have a business interest or am looking to do business in Sandpoint 23.9% 16
I'm not associated with Sandpoint 1.5% 1
Other 19.4% 13

What is your age?

Response Percent Response Count
20-29 4.4% 3
30-39 19.1% 13
40-49 29.4% 20
50-59 22.1% 15
60-69 19.1% 13
70 or older 5.9% 4

What is your annual household income?

Response Percent Response Count
Less than $25,000 6.3% 4
$25,000 - $34,999 3.2% 2
$35,000 - $49,999 11.1% 7
$50,000 - $74,999 28.6% 18
$75,000 - $99,999 14.3% 9
$100,000 or greater 36.5% 23

How many children under the age of 18 live at home?

Average
0.87
Total
53.00
Count
61
Skipped
7
Name not shown inside the County of Bonner
December 30, 2019, 7:28 AM
  • Looking out 20 years, what does a healthy and vibrant economy in Sandpoint look like to you? Be specific.

    Excellent green spaces with safe bike & walking paths connecting all areas of the city. Numerous small businesses downtown. Decent pay so people can afford to work in the small businesses & raise a family & live in town.

  • Through initial outreach during the Fall, we asked the community to start thinking about what they love about Sandpoint and to reflect on the values articulated in the existing 2009 Comprehensive Plan. Of the following, what are the top 3 that are most important for you?
    • Educate and train our workforce
    • Embrace innovation and technology
    • Support Downtown and preserve the small town feel
  • What should Sandpoint be doing to help support these shared values?

    Education is key. Because something worked 50 or even 25 years ago does not mean it will work now or in the future. (doesn't mean it won't, but too many who oppose new things oppose them just because they like the way it was when they grew up) Work on the "go back to where you came from " attitude. Not 100% sure how to do this & Facebook is not a good representation of who we are. Need to attempt to include the old-time locals who have that attitude. (behind a keyboard many times) Find common ground with those who oppose change. Reach out with perhaps different groups/people to encourage those against innovation or change to learn more.

  • Economic Diversity Goal: Create a vibrant and diverse economy in Sandpoint. Please rate the importance of each of the following policies. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
    • Support existing manufacturing businesses as providers of jobs with living wage and benefits. - 5
    • Encourage localism and innovative techniques to increase circulating dollars within the Sandpoint economy. - 5
    • Attract industries that provide jobs for graduates of higher educational programs and vocational-technical schools. - 5
    • Encourage the development of clean technologies. - 5
    • Encourage arts and environmental related employment. - 5
  • Please comment about the economic diversity goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?

    These are great ideas & I see a stumbling block being education - or more specifically, lack of it. It is a constant battle to fund the bare minimum in our schools. Our teachers do amazing work with so little but I love the community outreach in schools. Perhaps expand on that in some areas?

  • Neighboring Communities Goal: Join with neighboring communities to strengthen the regional economy. Please rate the importance of each of the following policies. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
    • Be an active partner with local economic development agencies. - 4
    • Improve transportation corridors to facilitate movement of goods into, out of, and through the region. - 5
    • Improve transportation facilities and services to facilitate movement of people through the region. - 5
    • Coordinate land use decisions with surrounding communities to limit commuting distance and redundant infrastructure. - 4
  • Please comment about the neighboring communities goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?

    Work better with IDT. The curve was an excellent example of how to not work with outside agencies. Now that money is not available & won't be for many years. Old time locals pushed back so hard - oh, we can't lose Dubs. Well, Dubs sits on IDT land. Talk about kicking the ball down the street.....The state was going to kick in a huge amount yet Sandpoint turned it down & now that money went elsewhere & is gone. It will be years & years (and maybe have to wait for new people to be in the decision making roles, too) before the state will revisit the option.

  • Workforce Needs Goal: Provide Sandpoint workers with affordable housing options near jobs, public transportation, and non-motorized transportation options. Please rate the importance of each of the following policies. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
    • Encourage diversity of housing types as appropriate in land use districts. - 5
    • Help reduce household transportation costs by allowing housing near jobs. - 5
    • Facilitate public transportation and/or non-motorized transportation connections between jobs and neighborhoods. - 5
    • Promote opportunities that employ Sandpoint residents in Sandpoint. - 5
  • Please comment about the workforce needs goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?

    Again, all great ideas but how - that's the big question. So many complain that there is a major lack of affordable housing in Sandpoint. I get that & agree. BUT - when they, personally, own a property, they want to get as much in rent for it as possible. That's human nature. How does a city on its own provide affordable housing for someone making $10 a hour? People are all against out of state people having second homes here yet if they sell their land to one of them, that's fine. Somehow we must educate locals - and seek federal or state money for housing assistance? I do not know what programs/grants are out there....???

  • Downtown Revitalization: Support downtown Sandpoint’s historic role as a major economic, social, and civic center of Bonner County. (1=not important, 5=very important)?
    • Focus economic development resources primarily on priority projects. Focus on solving specific problems. - 4
    • Encourage residential uses on the second story and above. - 4
    • Collaborate with local business organizations and assist in providing the infrastructure to attract new economically diverse business in the Downtown. - 4
    • Create a streetscape that encourages an active street life. - 4
    • Make downtown a primary multimodal friendly destination. - 4
    • Regularly update the Downtown Revitalization Plan. - 4
    • Encourage preservation of historic buildings. - 5
    • Retain high traffic downtown anchors. - 5
    • Encourage first floor restaurants and diverse retail utilization. - 5
  • Please comment about the downtown revitalization goal and policies. Are there any policies that you feel are missing from the list above?

    Like the idea of living spaces above businesses but parking will be an issue. No one wants to carry groceries 5 blocks to their home or wait for a parking spot to open so they can unload.

  • What is your current employment status?
    • Retired
  • What is your occupation/profession?
    Medical field
  • Where do you work?
    No response.
  • On a normal day, how long is your morning commute to work?
    No response.
  • Do you commute into or out of Sandpoint?
    No response.
  • If you commute from outside of Sandpoint to work or school what is the reason (choose all that apply):
    No response.
  • If you live in Sandpoint and commute to a job outside of Sandpoint, please tell us why.
    No response.
  • What are the most important economic development priorities (check all that apply):
    • Workforce training and education
    • Liveable wages
    • Retaining existing business and industry
  • What industries should be the top economic development priority (choose up to three):
    • Recreation & tourism
  • Please indicate your level of agreement with each statement below (with 1 being not satisfied and 5 being very satisfied):
    • Sandpoint offers many great eating, drinking, and entertainment venues. - 4
    • Sandpoint offers high-quality public spaces such as parks, plazas, and walkable shopping streets - 4
    • Sandpoint offers high quality job opportunities in my occupation/profession. - 1
    • Sandpoint is a great environment for small business. - 3
    • Sandpoint offers adequate support and services for entrepreneurs and small business owners to startup and expand. - 3
    • I have access to great education and job training opportunities nearby. - 1
    • Housing in Sandpoint is affordable to people and families with a range of different incomes. - 2
    • Existing transportation options in Sandpoint make it easy for me to get to work. - Not applicable
  • Of the needs identified in the previous question we want to know which are the most important to you. Please select how important each action is for you (with 1 being not important and 5 being very important).
    • Increase the number of great eating, drinking, and entertainment places in Sandpoint - 2
    • Increase the number of high-quality public spaces, such as parks, plazas, or walkable shopping streets. - 4
    • Make it easier to find high quality job opportunities in my occupation/profession in Sandpoint. - 3
    • Improve opportunities for small businesses in Sandpoint - 4
    • Increase efforts to prevent displacement of small businesses in Sandpoint - 5
    • Offer more services for entrepreneurs and small business owners to get established or expand in Sandpoint - 4
    • Increase the education and job training opportunities in Sandpoint - 5
    • Increase the diversity and affordability of housing options in Sandpoint - 4
  • What types of products and services would you like to have available in Sandpoint?
    No response.
  • Where do you primarily shop?
    • Autos and automotive parts - Other in Bonner County
    • Clothing - Outside Bonner County
    • Food/beverage stores - Sandpoint
    • Garden and Nursery - Other in Bonner County
    • Grocery - Sandpoint
    • Home Improvement - Other in Bonner County
    • Furniture and Appliances - Other in Bonner County
    • Pharmacy - Sandpoint
    • Electronics - Other in Bonner County
    • Jewelry - Sandpoint
    • Sporting Goods - Sandpoint
    • Other - Online
  • Where do you go to get the following services?
    • Automotive Repair - Other in Bonner County
    • Banking/Financial services - Sandpoint
    • Business services - Not applicable
    • Childcare - Not applicable
    • Dry Cleaner/tailor - Not applicable
    • Legal - Sandpoint
    • Medical - Outside Bonner County
    • Dental - Sandpoint
    • Restaurants - Sandpoint, Other in Bonner County, Outside Bonner County
    • Coffee/tea shops - Sandpoint
    • Personal - Sandpoint
  • What are the biggest deterrents to shopping locally in Sandpoint for goods or services (choose as many as apply)?
    • Too expensive
    • Parking
  • What would incentivize you to shop locally?

    Better parking options, especially in spring & fall when it's raining a lot. I don't want to walk 5 blocks. City lot is very often full.

  • Is there any feedback you would like to share regarding economic development within the City of Sandpoint?
    No response.
  • Do you own a business in Sandpoint city limits? (pick one)?
    • I do not own a business.
  • If you own a business, how many employees does your business employ, excluding yourself?
    No response.
  • If you own a business, which of the following best describes your business?
    No response.
  • If you own or have owned a business in Sandpoint, please choose your level of agreement with the following statements (with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree).
    No response.
  • How can the City support local business owners?
    No response.
  • Using the numbered areas in the map above, identify where you live in Sandpoint. If you do not live in the Sandpoint city limits, please select the city or area in which you live:
    • Other Bonner County
  • Tell us a little about your relationship with the City of Sandpoint. Check all that apply:
    • I often visit Sandpoint
  • What is your age?
    • 60-69
  • What is your annual household income?
    No response.
  • How many children under the age of 18 live at home?
    0
Open Town Hall is not a certified voting system or ballot box. As with any public comment process, participation in Open Town Hall is voluntary. The responses in this record are not necessarily representative of the whole population, nor do they reflect the opinions of any government agency or elected officials.

Your answers will NOT be saved

This is the form that was used to collect responses. It's here so you can try it and see how it worked when the topic was open.

The topic is now closed, and anything you enter into this form will not be saved.

Sign in and be yourself

Sign in and let others know who you are and what you think. You can sign in now or after you submit your response. You'll be able to read your response on this website and change it if you change your mind.

Read more about privacy >

Sign in and be someone

Sign in and let others know what you think. Only OpenGov will know who you are. You can sign in now or after you submit your response. You'll be able to read your response on this website and change it if you change your mind.

Read more about privacy >
* required

Be anonymous

Even though your response will be shared with staff, it won’t be shown on this public website so other community members won’t have the opportunity to see it.

Concerned about sharing your contact information with OpenGov?

Read more about privacy >

Read more about privacy >

What are my options to participate?

Open Town Hall has two participation channels:

  • The Registered Channel: Sign in before or just after you submit your response. Either way, Community Feedback will show your response on this website.
  • The Unregistered Channel: Don't sign in and remain anonymous. Community Feedback will just share your response with Sandpoint staff.

Note: The first time you sign in, you'll need to register (establish an account on Open Town Hall). Registration is free.

Why do I need to sign in to show my response on this website?

The City of Sandpoint has contracted with Community Feedback to monitor responses shown on this website.

  • To prevent any single user from dominating the forum, the City of Sandpoint restricts the number of responses any one user can post on selected topics. Registration helps Community Feedback enforce this restriction.
  • Users, staff and government leaders often want to know the neighborhood from which a response is posted. Community Feedback uses registration to show the neighborhood next to each response (not the address).
  • If a user posts a response that does not meet the City of Sandpoint guidelines for civility, Community Feedback uses the user's email address to invite the user to resolve the issue.
I'm concerned about privacy. Who will get my contact information and what will they use it for?

Community Feedback will get your contact information. The company is under contract with the City of Sandpoint to hold it in strict confidence per their privacy policy.

What other benefits do I get from signing in?
  • Since you'll see your own response on Open Town Hall, you'll be able to confirm that your response was posted as you intended.
  • You'll be able to change and/or delete your response as long as the topic is open.
I'm still very concerned about privacy. Is there a way for me to submit a response without registering?

Yes. Sign out, then set your privacy preference to be "No - just show it without my name to staff". You won't need to register.

What prevents an unregistered user from submitting multiple anonymous responses?

While no authentication procedure can perfectly detect every fraudulent registration, Community Feedback is able to secure the registered channel against systematic fraud: cases where users submit enough statements with fraudulent registrations to sway the overall interpretation of the feedback.

Community Feedback is unable to secure the unregistered channel against systematic fraud, because unregistered users are anonymous.

Neither the registered nor the unregistered channel represent a certified voting system or ballot box - and that caveat is footnoted on every page of feedback. Instead, both are additional channels for feedback to government.

Why are there two participation channels?

Users can participate on the registered channel (by signing in) or on the unregistered channel (by remaining anonymous). The City of Sandpoint offers both channels in order to broaden participation and maximize decision makers' insights.

The registered channel enables users to assure decision makers that their feedback comes from a real person in a specific neighborhood. It also enables users to participate in a public discussion on the website, as well as manage their own response after posting it.

The unregistered channel is for users who want to provide quick feedback without registering, and/or whose privacy concerns would prevent them from participating if required to register. Because many users with valuable insights will only share them anonymously, this channel gives decision makers the option to consider those insights in their deliberations.

What is OpenGov?

OpenGov is a non-partisan company whose mission is to broaden civic engagement and build public trust in government. The City of Sandpoint has contracted with OpenGov to administer Open Town Hall.

Part 1:  Vision

What is your vision for the future of Jobs and Economic Development in Sandpoint?

Choose at most 3 options

Part 2:  Goals and Policies

As the City works to update its comprehensive plan, we would like to know how our residents value the goals and policies established in the 2009 Comprehensive Plan. 

A goal provides the community with direction. A goal is a desired ideal and a value to be sought.

A policy is a statement of principle or a course of action that guides governmental action and decision making.

In the following section, please rate how important the following goals and policies are to you.

1
2
3
4
5
No Opinion
Support existing manufacturing businesses as providers of jobs with living wage and benefits.
Encourage localism and innovative techniques to increase circulating dollars within the Sandpoint economy.
Attract industries that provide jobs for graduates of higher educational programs and vocational-technical schools.
Encourage the development of clean technologies.
Encourage arts and environmental related employment.
1
2
3
4
5
No Opinion
Be an active partner with local economic development agencies.
Improve transportation corridors to facilitate movement of goods into, out of, and through the region.
Improve transportation facilities and services to facilitate movement of people through the region.
Coordinate land use decisions with surrounding communities to limit commuting distance and redundant infrastructure.
1
2
3
4
5
No Opinion
Encourage diversity of housing types as appropriate in land use districts.
Help reduce household transportation costs by allowing housing near jobs.
Facilitate public transportation and/or non-motorized transportation connections between jobs and neighborhoods.
Promote opportunities that employ Sandpoint residents in Sandpoint.
1
2
3
4
5
No Opinion
Focus economic development resources primarily on priority projects. Focus on solving specific problems.
Encourage residential uses on the second story and above.
Collaborate with local business organizations and assist in providing the infrastructure to attract new economically diverse business in the Downtown.
Create a streetscape that encourages an active street life.
Make downtown a primary multimodal friendly destination.
Regularly update the Downtown Revitalization Plan.
Encourage preservation of historic buildings.
Retain high traffic downtown anchors.
Encourage first floor restaurants and diverse retail utilization.

Part 3

The following questions will help us understand your needs in the areas of employment, education, transportation, and housing are met in Sandpoint. 

If not employed, skip to section 4.

Part 4

Economic development priorities

Choose at most 3 options
1
2
3
4
5
Not applicable
Sandpoint offers many great eating, drinking, and entertainment venues.
Sandpoint offers high-quality public spaces such as parks, plazas, and walkable shopping streets
Sandpoint offers high quality job opportunities in my occupation/profession.
Sandpoint is a great environment for small business.
Sandpoint offers adequate support and services for entrepreneurs and small business owners to startup and expand.
I have access to great education and job training opportunities nearby.
Housing in Sandpoint is affordable to people and families with a range of different incomes.
Existing transportation options in Sandpoint make it easy for me to get to work.
1
2
3
4
5
No opinion
Increase the number of great eating, drinking, and entertainment places in Sandpoint
Increase the number of high-quality public spaces, such as parks, plazas, or walkable shopping streets.
Make it easier to find high quality job opportunities in my occupation/profession in Sandpoint.
Improve opportunities for small businesses in Sandpoint
Increase efforts to prevent displacement of small businesses in Sandpoint
Offer more services for entrepreneurs and small business owners to get established or expand in Sandpoint
Increase the education and job training opportunities in Sandpoint
Increase the diversity and affordability of housing options in Sandpoint
Sandpoint
Other in Bonner County
Outside Bonner County
Online
Not applicable
Autos and automotive parts
Clothing
Food/beverage stores
Garden and Nursery
Grocery
Home Improvement
Furniture and Appliances
Pharmacy
Electronics
Jewelry
Sporting Goods
Books
Other
Sandpoint
Other in Bonner County
Outside Bonner County
Not applicable
Automotive Repair
Banking/Financial services
Business services
Childcare
Dry Cleaner/tailor
Legal
Medical
Dental
Restaurants
Coffee/tea shops
Personal
Other

Part 5

This section is for business owners to provide information about the ability to conduct business in Sandpoint.

1
2
3
4
5
Not Applicable
Sandpoint is a good place to locate and manage a business.
Sandpoint is business friendly.
It is easy to attract skilled workers to Sandpoint.
It is easy to retain skilled workers in Sandpoint.
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a retail business.
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a professional service-oriented business.
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a manufacturing business.
Sandpoint is a good place to establish and maintain a construction business.
There are plenty of affordable, quality housing options for my employees.

Part 6

Demographics

* required
Check out our guidelines for civility

Fields marked with * are required

Back to Intro