County seeks max tax increase

Kootenai County property owners, your taxes are going up. By a 2-1 vote Friday, Kootenai County commissioners approved a $96 million budget to present to the public for fiscal year 2017. The budget won’t be formally adopted until after a public hearing Aug. 31. C ommissioner Dave Stewart voted against the proposal. The budget includes a 3 percent property tax increase — the highest increase allowed by the state. Commissioner Dan Green said a $1.5 million hike in the county’s cost of health insurance was a factor in the tax increase. “Last year we collected approximately $41 million, and 3 percent of that would be $1.2 million — these are round numbers — so even by taking the 3 percent we can’t even cover the medical insurance increase or any compensation increases for employees,” he said/ Mary Malone , Coeur d’Alene Press. More here.