Commissioners postpone budget vote

COEUR d’ALENE - After absorbing two hours of earnest public comment at a budget hearing on Wednesday evening, the Kootenai County commissioners agreed to take another look at the proposed 2013 budget before voting on a final version next week.

The two commissioners at the meeting acknowledged passionate concerns from county staff and other citizens, some of whom requested cuts, others tax increases to meet employees’ needs.

Commissioner Dan Green emphasized the difficulty of balancing such requests.

“If I were to put in a 3 percent tax increase right now, this room would be full, with a very different message,” he said, speaking in the meeting room of the county administration building.

Several of the 50 attending the hearing demanded changes to the proposed $79 million budget. Alecia Warren, CdA Press More here.

Thoughts?