COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai County commissioners agreed this week to balance the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025 with the assumption of a 3% tax increase, but it’s not yet clear how much of an increase Kootenai County taxpayers will actually see.

“It’s not that I want a 3% (increase), but that gives us a little more flexibility between now and the final budget,” Commissioner Bruce Mattare said during a budget discussion Tuesday. 

Budget talks will continue this afternoon. 

Commissioners are expected to approve the preliminary balanced budget for publication Aug. 1. After the budget is published, it cannot increase but commissioners can still make cuts. 

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Aug. 28, with commissioners expected to adopt a final budget Aug. 30. 

Cost of living adjustments for county employees are at the center of discussions. 

During a previous budget deliberation meeting, county HR director Sylvia Proud recommended a 3.5% cost of living adjustment for all county employees for FY2025, a $2.3 million increase overall. This recommendation was based off recent consumer price data and compared against other local and state agencies, which have proposed adjustments ranging from 3% to 3.5%. But it appears unlikely employees will see such an increase. 

Commissioner Bill Brooks advocated for a 4% cost of living adjustment for employees and said he’s unwilling to go lower than 3.5%. 

“I don’t think anybody can question whether the average worker has taken some pretty ferocious hits this year,” he said, referring to increasing costs of food, fuel and other necessities. “My wife and I are not hurting, but I know other people who are in the $40,000, $50,000, $60,000 range who have children are hurting very much.” 

Brooks said wages that keep up with inflation are essential to retain county employees.

“Without the people, nothing works,” he said. “It’s very important that we do this correctly.” 

Mattare said he’s open to a 2.5% cost of living adjustment for county employees. 

“I think the challenge, of course, is not only what we can afford to do for the people who work for the county but also the residents of the county, because not everybody gets to have a discussion with their employer about a (cost of living adjustment),” he said. “A lot of times, it’s just they get to keep their job. That’s how it often works in the private sector when things are tight.” 

Commissioner Leslie Duncan also said she thinks a 2.5% adjustment is appropriate. 

“I think a 2.5% COLA keeps us where we need to be, with the wage study in the fall,” she said.