Dueling opinions over whether the Kootenai County Sheriff's facility can legally be de-annexed from Coeur d'Alene has led both parties to seek a higher power.

On Monday, Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger filed a civil lawsuit against the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners that asks District Court Judge Cynthia Meyer for a formal ruling on the de-annexation proposal. According to Commissioner Dan Green, the board wants to de-annex the facility prior to the planned expansion of the jail, while Wolfinger said he believes the move would violate a portion of Idaho Code that states a sheriff's office must be in the county seat, Coeur d'Alene.

"We agreed to let the judge decide the interpretation of the law," Wolfinger told The Press on Wednesday. "It is unfortunate that one party has to 'sue' the other party to get it to the court for interpretation, but that is the system we have."

"It's a friendly disagreement," Green added. "Ben believes that we have made a mistake"/Keith Cousins, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

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