North Idaho officials pass multimillion budgets
Kootenai County, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls elected officials unanimously passed multimillion budgets at separate meetings Tuesday, drawing few comments from the public.
In Post Falls, the City Council approved a $12.5 million budget and increased the mayor and council member’s salaries by 5 percent.
The mayor’s pay, currently $1,300 per month, will increase to $1,365. Council members’ pay will go from $500 to $551.25. The increases take effect in January.
The council can propose a change in salary only during an election year. The present salaries were approved in Aug. 2003, up from $800 for the mayor and $400 for council members.
The council thought it more appropriate to give smaller and more frequent raises, said council president Scott Grant, rather than a large amount every several years.
An example of the latter approach is in Kootenai County. Starting in October, county employees will receive more than $1 million in salary and benefit adjustments to keep their pay in line with workers at other Northwest governments. Some elected officials will get annual raises in the $10,000 range.
The Post Falls budget includes, among other things, an automated self-checkout system for the city library and a new patrol officer and patrol car.
No one commented during the public hearing.
In Coeur d’Alene, five residents asked the City Council questions about the city’s proposed $66.6 million budget that includes money for new police officers and firefighters.
Councilman Al Hassell said people were mostly concerned about increases in taxes and increases in the valuation of homes and property.
The council made no changes to the budget before accepting it with a 6-0 vote.
The Kootenai County Commission passed a $72.5 million budget, which is a $15.2 million increase from this year. The change is mostly due to a proposed $12 million transfer station north of Post Falls.
County Finance Director David McDowell said nobody spoke during the hearing and the commission made no changes.
“It was actually a very quiet affair,” he said.