Colleges may get revenue boost

Unexpected revenue could leave the Idaho Board of Education an extra $111 million at the end of the year, Legislative Budget Director Jeff Youtz said.

If 5 percent revenue growth continues through the end of the year, Youtz told the board this week, the state’s higher education budget could get a substantial boost.

“We’ve not seen that kind of growth since the late ‘90s,” Youtz said.

The state’s higher education leaders are already suggesting ways to spend the projected surplus.

Dene Thomas, the president of Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, asked for more than $687,000 to boost faculty and staff salaries, to run the school’s new Activity Center next year, and for campus technology upgrades and grant writing support.

The University of Idaho asked for $5.7 million in faculty raises and more than $14 million for facilities maintenance.

Still, Youtz warned that the state’s revenue growth has been largely based on real estate and construction booms, which could turn into bubbles.

“I think that is the right caveat,” said David Chichester, UI financial vice president. “That 5 percent (growth) is vulnerable.”

Kootenai officials request pay hike

Six of Kootenai County’s elected officials have signed a resolution requesting big pay raises.

Prosecutor Bill Douglas, Sheriff Rocky Watson, Assessor Mike McDowell, Treasurer Tom Malzhan, Clerk-Auditor Dan English, and Coroner Robert West signed the resolution Aug. 4, requesting pay raises for themselves and the three county commissioners.

“A few years ago, we had zero increases, and one year only some elected officials got raises,” English said. “I am grateful for the salary I do have, but I think it’s justified.”

The commissioners are expected to decide on the pay hikes during a public hearing Aug. 23.

If the proposed raises are approved, Douglas would get a salary bump from just over $78,000 to $93,000. Watson’s salary would jump to $80,000 from just over $65,000, and Assessor McDowell, Treasurer Malzhan and Clerk-Auditor English would each go from more than $53,500 a year to $65,000 a year. The commissioners’ pay would increase to $67,000 from about $53,500.

Police hunt suspect in alleged siding scam

Spokane Police detectives are searching for a man who is suspected of stealing $7,000 from a retired veteran and $2,000 from an elderly woman in a scam to replace siding on their homes.

The suspect is 43-year-old Gary Dean Schmitt, who lives at 1728 West Shannon. Schmitt has a suspended contractor’s license with the state of Washington, and he has refused to obtain a new license, police spokesman Dick Cottam said in a press release.

Detective J.D. Anderson said Schmitt has 10 felony convictions that include theft, attempting to elude and vehicular homicide. He also has a pending arrest warrant for possession of a controlled substance.

One victim said Schmitt agreed to replace siding on his residence but placed only a small amount of insulation and never finished the job.

Schmitt asked for and received several thousands of dollars from homeowners, claiming “the cost of siding has gone up,” Cottam wrote.

Detective Anderson said it appears Schmitt has a pattern of preying on the elderly throughout the area.

Schmitt is 5-foot-11, 160-pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Gary Dean Schmitt is asked to call the TIPS Line at (509) 242-8477.