Kootenai County commissioners eye $141 million budget
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 4 months AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | August 4, 2023 1:08 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai County commissioners voted unanimously this week to tentatively accept a $141 million budget for fiscal year 2024, which includes levying 3% more property taxes.
That’s an increase of about $4 million from the fiscal year 2023 budget. A 3% tax increase would represent about $1.7 million in revenue and bring the total levy amount to $59.4 million.
The public can weigh in on the budget during a hearing set for 6 p.m. Aug. 30. Commissioners are expected to adopt the final budget Sept. 1.
The county operations budget is $23.6 million, while the budget for capital purchases totals $2.3 million. The budget also calls for $31 million for Kootenai County Solid Waste.
Personnel costs make up the vast majority of the county’s budget — about $83.7 million of the total, on par with the 2023 budget.
This includes $5.3 million in wage increases. County employees will receive a 4.5% cost of living adjustment, totaling $1.8 million.
The budget includes $2 million to fix wages of longtime employees whose wages are below where they should be, Finance Director Brandi Falcon said Thursday.
Patrol deputies and Sheriff’s Office command staff will see increases totaling $1.5 million, based on a new salary matrix created by the county.
More than $700,000 is earmarked for career progression increases. County staff will receive an annual wage increase on their work anniversary.
The county will cut funding for open positions that have been unfilled for more than 100 days, which is expected to save about $2.5 million.
Kootenai County’s nine elected officials will also receive a raise that puts their wages at 97% of Canyon County’s FY 2023 elected official wage rates. Canyon County is the second most populated in Idaho, with about 231,000 residents as of 2021. Kootenai County is third, with about 171,000 residents.
Proposed elected official salaries for fiscal year 2024 are as follows:
- Prosecutor, $159,182 (current salary is $138,382)
- Assessor, $108,888 (current salary is $95,811)
- Clerk, $114,878 (current salary is $97,240)
- Commissioner, $108,992 (current salary is $95,534)
- Coroner, $97,468 (current salary 82,888)
- Treasurer, $110,136 (current salary is $95,014)
- Sheriff, $145,516 (current salary is $119,392)
Commissioners voted Tuesday to publish the preliminary budget. It must be published by Aug. 14.
ARTICLES BY KAYE THORNBRUGH
Cd’A man charged with possession, distribution of child sexual abuse material
Brendan M. Shea, 27, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child by distribution of sexually exploitative material and five counts of sexual exploitation of a child by possession of sexually exploitative material, all felonies.
Rathdrum police seek victims amid burglary investigation
Rathdrum police arrested a suspect Tuesday who they believe to be involved in multiple burglaries, according to a news release.
BLM: Migrating eagle population peaked early this year
The annual migration of bald eagles to Lake Coeur d’Alene to feed on spawning kokanee is past its peak, according to the Bureau of Land Management.