County finances on 'solid ground'

Over the past year, Kootenai County has seen an overburdened jail, sliding housing valuations, a beefed up recycling program and tightening budgets.

All things considered, the county's future could look dimmer, according to county Commissioner Todd Tondee.

"While nationally these are very challenging times, and many states and local jurisdictions are in dire financial trouble, I am confident and proud to report Kootenai County is on solid financial ground," Tondee said on Tuesday morning at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Elected county officials revealed their departments' triumphs and needs on Tuesday at the State of the County address, given at the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce's Upbeat Breakfast.

Although budgets are tighter, Tondee said, the county is managing to maintain programs and facilities by relying on grants, with the county grant writer overseeing $11.5 million in grant funding.

"Our grant writing department is our shining star," Tondee said.

The commissioner touched on county successes in 2010, like updating the Comprehensive Plan, partnering with Kootenai Electric to turn methane gas into energy, and coordinating with the city of Coeur d'Alene on a more comprehensive recycling program.

"This new program is much easier than the previous program, and seeing twice the amount of recycling," Tondee said.

County Building and Planning saw 1,392 building permits issued in 2010, Tondee said, with a construction value of $66 million and permit fees of roughly $1.4 million.

"These numbers are just slightly less than 2009," Tondee said.

The county Public Defender's Office provides the best indigent legal services statewide, according to a study by the Idaho Criminal Justice Commission, Tondee added.

But it isn't all good news.

"The study also concluded that the office is critically understaffed, and handles caseloads that are more than double the national standard," Tondee said.

Sheriff Rocky Watson reported that the sheriff's department is in critical need of more support.

"The Kootenai County Sheriff's office is well below the state average of 1.6 officers per 1,000 people," Watson said. "In the Kootenai County job market area, the sheriff's office is the lowest paid."

The county jail still suffers from overcrowding, Watson added, and continues to ship out its excess inmates to other facilities in Idaho and Washington, which is proving costly.

"Yakima is considering increasing the daily charge to $118 per day," Watson said. "It's the only jail that will take any class of inmate we have, and 71 percent of our inmates are felons."

New county Clerk Cliff Hayes said he hopes to bring more transparency to his office.

"We have some items (in the clerk's office) that have been questioned in the past, including elections and internal fraud, that I hope we can solve and bring to conclusion and not have occur again," Hayes said.

Rich Houser, chief deputy assessor, reported that last year more than 280 individuals in the county applied for property tax reductions.

"We're seeing an increase in people asking for assistance in paying property taxes," said Houser, speaking for Assessor Mike McDowell who couldn't attend the event.

Barry McHugh, county prosecutor, said his office has made improvements like partnering with Kootenai Medical Center to conduct blood draws on DUI suspects who turn down breathalyzers.

"We have the ability to just take them to the hospital and draw blood and provide solid evidence," McHugh said.

Treasurer Tom Malzahn discussed the duties of his department. He reported that the Treasurer's Office is overseeing a roughly $30 million investment portfolio for the county.

Brian Goetz, a State Farm Insurance agent who attended the event, said the status of the sheriff's department has him concerned.

"It's sad people are victims of crimes and the resources aren't there to investigate and handle the crime," Goetz said. "We see that in my business. People are victims of theft, and there's no ability for cases to be investigated for us to pursue restitution."

Elaine Damschen, president of Mainstream Electric, Inc., said she was relieved to hear the county is faring well through the recession.

"It's uplifting to hear we still have construction permits (happening)," she said.