POST FALLS - Kootenai County's transportation board is moving toward having its support services done in house rather than contracting through a Spokane organization.

The Kootenai County Metropolitan Planning Organization tabled a proposal to sever ties with the Spokane Regional Transportation Council and hire Glenn Miles, its executive director, after an executive session that lasted 1 hour, 40 minutes at Post Falls City Hall on Thursday.

However, KMPO Chairman Jimmie Dorsey said the Idaho group consisting of cities, highway districts, the county, state and Coeur d'Alene Tribe is moving toward hiring its own executive director.

"We're looking at going independent," he said.

Dorsey said KMPO will resume its discussions during its May 5 meeting at 1:30 p.m. at Post Falls City Hall and an official decision is expected at that time.

After Thursday's executive decision, the board didn't comment on the proposals, which were unanimously tabled.

"It's a work in progress," said Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin, declining to comment further.

Miles also declined to comment after the meeting.

Dorsey declined to state his opinion about the direction he believes KMPO should go, adding that it needs to be the board's decision. He said Kootenai County has grown to the point that perhaps the board should be on its own.

Dorsey praised Miles' work, but wouldn't say if he's expected to be hired by KMPO.

"Glenn has been our executive director (through SRTC) for seven years and he's done an outstanding job," Dorsey said.

SRTC has provided administrative and technical staff services for KMPO since the Idaho board formed.

Miles, whose four-month extended contract as SRTC executive director ends on April 30, has been with the organization for 22 years.

SRTC has advertised for a position similar to Miles'. Dorsey said Miles recently told him that he was welcome to apply, but he hadn't.

Dorsey said SRTC is undergoing possible structural changes and it's a good time to evaluate KMPO's as well.

KMPO considered making a contract change more than a year ago, but elected to stick with SRTC.

KMPO can sever the contract at any time with a 90-day notice.

No SRTC members were at Thursday's meeting.

KMPO has been wrestling with several bi-state concerns in recent months, including pending Census decisions whether to include the entire Coeur d'Alene-Spokane area as one statistical area or keeping them separate. Such decisions play a role in how much funding is distributed and where.