Kootenai County has eliminated another 10 positions, bringing to 20 the number of staff reductions that have occurred since two new commissioners took office in January. The recent reductions in the adult misdemeanor probation, juvenile probation, building and grounds, noxious weeds and solid waste divisions will result in almost $430,000 in savings from annual wages and benefits, the commissioners said in a news release.

What if: • Kootenai County’s free Citylink bus system connected with Spokane Transit Authority routes to allow commuters to travel back and forth across the state line?

The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners – with two newly elected members – recently cut 10 positions and reorganized some departments, resulting in savings estimated at $415,000 a year. Commissioner Dan Green said an internal review began with the previous administration and continued when he and Commissioner Jai Nelson took office in January, resulting in the changes.

Each year, BNSF Railway Co. pays about $100,000 for programs that protect the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. The money is funneled through the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, where it helps teach school kids about the aquifer that provides drinking water to more than 500,000 of the region’s residents; pays for inspections of industrial sites, including BNSF’s diesel refueling depot in Hauser; and funds collaborative work with other agencies aimed at keeping the aquifer free of contaminants.

Remember Livingston. Whatever the outcome of the BNSF Railway Co.’s lawsuit against Kootenai County – in which the railroad argues that the county has no power to make sure it’s not spilling fuel into our drinking water – remember Livingston.

The two Republicans who won election to the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday appear to be philosophically aligned on at least two key issues facing the county. Dan Green and Jai Nelson both say that when they take office in January they’ll push for a ballot measure to restructure county government so daily operations are run by a hired administrator. They also both intend to hold the line on property taxes or decrease them by using money from reserve funds.

The two Republicans who won election to the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners Tuesday appear to be philosophically aligned on at least two key issues facing the county.