Rathdrum considers new hirings

RATHDRUM – Rathdrum city officials are expected to approve hiring two much-needed staff members when the officials convene at a special Aug. 7 meeting. The hires will be part of a preliminary 2008 budget that so far totals nearly $11 million, according to Brett Boyer, city administrator. Final figures will be released next month.

Under the proposed budget, new hires would include a police officer and the city’s first in-house engineer. They would bring the city’s full-time staff to 38. The combined salaries of the two would be about $85,000, Boyer said.

Primary factors in the decision are residential and commercial growth.

Boyer said that this growth generates revenue but also requires more employees to keep abreast of new construction and a growing population.

On July 19, council members met for a fourth workshop on the budget, which will take effect Oct. 1 and run through Sept. 30, in keeping with the federal government’s cycle.

Council members agreed to hiring a civil engineer. The process by which building permits are reviewed, revised and approved would be vastly improved and save the city money in the long run. Some work will still need to be outsourced to private engineering firms that work on a contractual basis, said Chet Anderson, director of public works.

Meanwhile, an additional police officer will ensure officers are on patrol round-the-clock. At present, the Police Department is stretched thin when illnesses or other absences occur, Police Chief Kevin Fuhr has said in previously published reports.

In addition, city employees are expected to receive a 2.5 percent cost of living raise next year; and they could receive up to 2.5 percent additional merit raises, Boyer said.

The city will also allocate more money for road repairs and improvements to pedestrian walkways and city parks, Boyer said.

Boyer said the budget planning process gets a little smoother every year.

“I’m pleased with how it’s turned out,” he said.