Rathdrum’s mayor, Mike Hill, resigned over the weekend, the day after the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office announced that Hill was involved in a domestic battery incident.

Deputies received a request Saturday morning to respond to and investigate a domestic battery that allegedly occurred in the city of Rathdrum “due to a potential conflict of interest,” according to KCSO. 

“Upon arrival, KCSO deputies learned the incident involved Rathdrum City Mayor Mike Hill,” a news release said. 

The nature of Hill’s alleged involvement in the incident is unclear. An investigation is ongoing, according to KCSO, and the sheriff’s office indicated that no further statements will be released at this time. 

Hill resigned as mayor early Sunday evening, according to an email obtained by The Press. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the residents of Rathdrum and appreciate the trust placed in me during my time in office,” he wrote in a brief message to city leaders. 

The email contained no additional information about the reason for Hill’s resignation. 

Hill did not immediately return a request for comment Monday. Rathdrum’s first new mayor in 16 years, voters elected Hill in November 2023. He received about 57% of the vote in a three-way race. 

Rathdrum City Council President John Hodgkins will take over the mayor’s executive responsibilities on an interim basis until a new mayor is appointed, according to the city. 

Hodgkins did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. 

“The council as a whole will make the determination if (the new mayor is) going to be someone internally, meaning a member of the council, or if they will collect applications for an outside individual,” said City Administrator Leon Duce. 

Though a regular meeting is set for May 13, Duce said one councilor is going to be out of town. He said the Rathdrum City Council is expected to address the matter during the May 27 meeting, when the full council is present.