Public safety concerns loom

Two bright new faces will join the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners, assuring that change is in the wind.

But one thing that won't be changing is the need for the county to bolster public safety.

Hey, we don't like talking about jail-improvement plans any more than the next taxpayer. But we've maintained all along that something must be done, because our jail is overcrowded and public safety infrastructure is sagging.

Further, by most comparative standards, we have insufficient numbers of officers and civilians in the ranks of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, and mandated costs are going up while revenues are struggling.

So how's that for "Congratulations on your stellar victories, Dan and Jai. Now get to work."

Technically, Dan Green and Jai Nelson won't take office until next January, but if Commissioners Rick Currie, Rich Piazza and Todd Tondee are wise they'll seek the commissioner-elects' counsel immediately. Although defeated, Currie and Piazza will still be working for the good of the county.

The Comprehensive Plan should be a high-profile project for the commissioners, but it must not become all-consuming. As you read this, the county's next budget is being prepared, and frankly, it's looking bleak for public safety.

n In Fiscal Year 2011, public assistance, which is a mandated function of the sheriff's department, is expected to grow by more than $1.65 million.

n Because of increased crime, arrests and burgeoning inmate population, jail housing is expected to increase $1.22 million. That's an increase of nearly $3 million next year just between these two cost centers.

n Revenue growth in FY2011 is expected to be only about half a million dollars, leaving a gap of some $2.5 million.

Kootenai County would need to hire 12 patrol deputies and seven civilians (not including the jail) just to reach the Idaho state average for sheriff's departments - which is far below the national average.

That's a very skimpy outline of the dilemma county leadership now faces with public safety. There are no easy solutions.

The county could have to do some prioritizing and cannibalizing, as some departments, like planning, may have more people than they need. But even that won't help jail expansion or improvements, which can no longer be addressed as commissioners had intended in recent years because the window on a sales tax increase for such a measure has closed.

Commissioners will be forced to consider taking all of the tax dollars they're allowed by law to collect, and to formulate a new approach on jail expansion. It's our hope that the commissioners-elect will be consulted and their thoughts considered.