Kootenai County property taxes to increase for 2017

The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners proposes spending about $14 million in the coming fiscal year to expand the county jail, expand vehicle and drivers license services, build shared parking with the city of Coeur d’Alene, and improve evidence storage.

The spending is part of a proposed $96.3 million budget for fiscal year 2017. It includes a 3 percent increase in property taxes – the first increase in two years. It has been seven years since county officials have taken the full 3 percent tax increase allowed under state law. The county tax rate was not raised in five of the past six years.

The tax hike would raise an additional $1.26 million. Property taxes would generate $43.8 million of the total budget next year, the county estimates.

Commissioners included a 2 percent merit raise for county workers as well as a 4 percent increase in pay grades to account for market growth, officials said. About 90 employees will receive automatic pay raises to bring them to the minimum under the new pay grades.

County employees also will see an increase in their share of health insurance costs.

A hearing on the budget proposal is set for 6 p.m. Aug. 31 at the county administration building, 451 N. Government Way.