Small town, big thinkers

Fernan Lake Village might be tiny, but it's a giant of an example when it comes to fiscal responsibility.

The village, on Coeur d'Alene's east side, boasted a population of 186 residents in the last U.S. Census. The 2000 Census listed 60 households with 52 families residing in the village proper, comprising a whopping one-tenth of one square mile.

Those diminutive digits belie leaders' belief in toeing the line on spending.

During its budget hearing Aug. 9, Fernan Lake Village agreed to a zero percent property tax increase. That was the fourth consecutive year Fernan's mayor and council refused to pass along a property tax increase to village residents, even though they face many of the same hardships and revenue shortcomings of other taxing entities.

We applaud Mayor Jim Elder, Council President Mary Ann Tierney, council members Pete Job, Richard Jurvelin and Sue Myers, as well as City Manager Cheri Howell. Longer and better than others, little Fernan Lake Village has found ways to fund excellent services without increasing taxes and growing government.

We're encouraged that Kootenai County may likewise be listening to its cash-strapped constituents. On Tuesday, Commissioner Rick Currie announced that the county is holding off on its budget finalization until the evening of Sept. 1. Currie, the lone commissioner to vote against a 1 percent property tax increase earlier this month, said the reason for the postponement is "to make corrections in the budget and look at the 1 percent (property tax increase)."

We hope that closer look provides relief to taxpayers who are desperate for a little good news.