Budget pitches to be televised

For the first time, Kootenai County is televising a budget workshop where elected officials and department directors will present their money and personnel needs for fiscal year 2007.

People can attend the May 30 workshop at Post Falls City Hall, 408 Spokane St., or watch it live on Cable Channel 13. The workshop starts at 6 p.m.

“It gives the public a chance to have a voice during the process,” said County Finance Director David McDowell.

Previously the county commission met individually with other elected officials and department directors to hear budget pitches. The meetings were open but never publicized, McDowell said.

The public will have a chance to ask questions during the workshop.

McDowell doesn’t yet have a final budget estimate but expects it to be about $60 million. That’s about $12 million less than the 2006 fiscal year budget, mostly because that included the construction of a new garbage transfer station.

After the workshop, the county commission will deliberate and balance the budget. Elected officials and department directors will get another chance to make their cases. The commission will then finish the budget and have a public hearing in September.

– Erica Curless

sandpoint

Delays likely on Highway 2

The Dover Bridge on U.S. Highway 2 near Sandpoint will be reduced to one lane of traffic today.

Idaho Transportation Department crews are set to repair potholes from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Loads wider than 10 feet are prohibited during this time.

Flaggers will guide traffic through the work area. Expect delays.

– Amy Cannata

boise

Refund available for drug

Idahoans who purchased the prescription drug Lupron may be eligible for a refund through a $198,000 settlement paid to the state, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said in a news release Monday.

The settlement addresses potential claims about the price of the drug, not safety issues, the release said.

People who purchased the drug – used for treatment of endometriosis, prostate cancer and early puberty – may be eligible for refunds of up to $100 or half of their out-of-pocket expenses, Wasden said.

Claim forms for the refund are on the attorney general’s Web site at www2.state.id.us/ag/. July 24 is the deadline to submit claims.

– Taryn Brodwater