Suggesting it would be a fiscally imprudent move, the Rathdrum City Council on Wednesday put the brakes on a proposed land deal that would require the city to de-annex a 314-acre tract, opening the door for the city of Post Falls to incorporate the land.

The deal was proposed to address long-term wastewater treatment for Rathdrum and Post Falls. For years, the property has been considered as a key part of the solution to long-term wastewater treatment for the cities whereby a land application process would spread effluent over the farmland.

On a 3-0 vote, the council tabled action on the request saying it would not be in the best interest of the city to give up the large parcel that is likely to increase in value and that someday could provide a potentially lucrative tax base for Rathdrum.

“The land will appreciate in time and I think we should hold onto it,” said Councilman Fred Meckel.

Meckel initially made a motion to reject the land deal agreement with Post Falls but rescinded that motion and the council voted instead to table action.

Now it’s up for officials from both cities to get together and see if a new agreement can be reached, Mayor Vic Holmes said.

Under terms of the rejected agreement, the city of Post Falls would pay Rathdrum $4.72 million for the property, which is currently farmed.

But Holmes questioned the need to set aside the property for future land use application, saying the form of wastewater treatment may not even be necessary.

“I’m 50-50 on whether land application will ever even be needed,” the mayor said. With technology headed the direction it is, he added, other ways of treatment deem the process obsolete.

Post Falls public works director John Beacham said de-annexation of the land was an important part of the agreement.

“If we use that property for land application, we would want our ordinance authority to regulate use,” Beacham said. “Having it within the city (of Post Falls) would allow us to do that.”

Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson said de-annexation of the land is a logical step, calling it a critical aspect of the land deal.