County budget cuts miss the mark
After reading a recent article in The Cd'A Press concerning budget cuts for "unmandated" services proposed by Kootenai County Clerk Cliff Hayes, I felt compelled to write a few comments. Although it is wise to look at all budgets seriously in these tight times, I feel the Clerk is encroaching into policy-making proposals that should be reserved for the County Commissioners. I'm hoping they will not support eliminating dollars for the County Extension Office nor cutting back the park and recreation staff so severely.
When I served as a County Commissioner for six years (two terms), balancing the budget was one of the most challenging jobs we faced. I was pleased the two new Commissioners have already made some reductions in the building/planning department as that staff had not been cut back to reflect the much lower activity in building permits. However, I would caution the Commissioners about reducing the ability of the park and rec staff to properly maintain the County parks and waterway facilities. I volunteered to take a lead role overseeing our park and rec facilities when I was Commissioner and worked hard to try and maintain and expand public access to our waterways. I even went on inspection tours with the Waterways Advisory Committee. I can remember one lawsuit against the County by a woman who had fallen in a piling hole in a dock at Harrison. She did not prevail in court because I testified about the inspections and reports written, which verified the dock was well maintained and considered safe for public use.
For several years I worked to maintain Mica and Windy Bay as public boater parks when the State of Idaho Lands Board recommended raising the lease rates paid by the County for these State endowment lands. Kootenai County had maintained these two parks for years and paid only a minimal lease, which seemed fair because of the County labor costs involved. However, that fee did not meet the State mandate of receiving a fair return on endowment lands, and I could not ask the Commissioners to approve a huge increase in County funds. So, I worked with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to acquire these two properties by exchanging some of their other lands to the State. Two times I testified before the State Lands Board to gain their approval of this transaction in order to keep these boaters parks affordable. I doubt if the Land Board would have approved this trade if Kootenai County had not done a good job of keeping the parks facilities in good shape.
If the County park and rec staff were reduced so much that the facilities could not be properly maintained, most docks would have to be removed if they deteriorated to the point where they were dangerous. This would adversely impact the ability of County residents and tourists to enjoy the use of our beautiful lakes and parks. I always felt proud to have these wonderful facilities available for our people to use and would be very sad if Kootenai County eliminated these recreational opportunities. It would also be sad for many to have the County cut back on financial support for the County Extension office. Our wonderful 4-H programs have helped many boys and girls learn valuable skills and leadership abilities in working with their animals and special projects. Clerk Hayes was quoted as saying that the 4-H youth could be served instead by going to the Kroc Center or Boys & Girls Clubs. Although there are wonderful programs available with these other agencies, it is not comparable to what the youth gain under their 200 volunteer leaders in 4-H.
Other services through the Extension Office would be hard to replace if they disappeared because of lack of Kootenai County support. These include nutrition and food safety education, information for forest landowners and loggers who want to certify their products come from a sustainability managed forest and the Master Gardener Program. The contribution from Kootenai County for the Extension Office is small, but eliminating it might make a big difference if some of these extension services disappeared. I hope the Commissioners can balance the budget by not eliminating some of these wonderful services that make our County such a great place to live. Having these available for our people makes it easier for them to live in the tough budget times they are facing.
Evalyn Adams is a Coeur d'Alene resident and former Kootenai County Commissioner (1995-2001).