County: No time for big change

The citizens of Kootenai County should be very wary of the upcoming ballot measure to "Change the Form of County Government." The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in a departure from their campaign promises of "openness and transparency in government" has brought forward a proposal to create a juggernaut of administrators with the ability to hire and fire the county coroner, treasurer, clerk and assessor while hiring a county administrator.

While the Idaho Legislature passed legislation allowing the various counties to adopt alternate forms of government, NOT ONE of the 44 counties has adopted these changes in county government which have served the citizens of Idaho since statehood. Not Ada County (population 381,000) or Canyon County (population 184,000). During my 26 years as the elected coroner of Kootenai County, I had multiple discussions with the BOCC in regard to budget issues, policy development and numerous other issues. While the coroner budget comprises 0.4 percent of the county budget, we were accorded respect and reasonable consideration on every occasion without fear of being dismissed for a dissenting opinion.

Hiring a county administrator ($135,000 per year plus benefits) might assist the BOCC in handling some of their administrative duties without their having to micro-manage various departments. There is nothing in the ballot measure which speaks about halving the BOCC salaries nor is there any mention of the proposed expansion of the BOCC to five members working halftime. To suggest that appointing the coroner AND eliminating the chief deputy coroner yet still be able to cover the (1,244 square miles) of Kootenai County (population 141,000) 24/7, 365 days a year, interact with multiple law enforcement agencies, funeral homes, sign death certificates and cremation authorizations, collaborate with the Spokane Medical Examiner Office to conduct autopsies and collect toxicology specimens etc. bespeaks a level of ignorance and callous indifference to the Idaho Code Coroner Responsibilities which is hard to imagine.

I would refer the BOCC and the reader to the June 2005 survey of the various elected officials by a previous BOCC Committee studying County Government. The points in my letter have not changed appreciably in the years since. In fact, many of the items have only become more serious.

Mr. Joe Morris, a member of the fund-raising group (estimated budget $20,000), oversaw the construction of the "new" Kootenai Medical Center which, among other improvements, still relegated the morgue to the space which uses the original hospital kitchen freezer and vegetable chiller to store bodies. This illustrates a fundamental lack of understanding of the forensic medicine realities of the 21st century in Kootenai County. If as you say: "Well this is Idaho and we don't need those fancy facilities," try dealing with the high-powered defense teams for people like Joseph Duncan and see how your evidence will stand up.

The Coeur d'Alene Press article of Oct. 4, 2012, which announced Mr. Green's "Vision" for steamlining Kootenai County also carried an article below his which details the failure of the County Community Developmental Center to have the BOCC approve the Mica-Kidd Island Fire Department request for funds. This is an indictment of the BOCC to properly oversee an entity directly under their supervision. Do you REALLY believe that five part-time BOCC members, with/without a county administrator, would be better at spotting and correcting such matters? They can't even have a live telephone operator at the Administration Building during business hours!

I have the greatest respect for the elected county officials, current and past, including the Board of County Commissioners. They serve the citizens well and devote their skills and spend countless hours often in the face of modest or inadequate budgets. They are subject to the quadrennial evaluation by the citizens of Kootenai County. They DO NOT and SHOULD NOT be subject to appointment and/or dismissal by either the BOCC or a non-elected county administrator who may or may not have an appreciation for the legislated responsibilities of their department.

Former county officials with whom I have discussed this issue state that the (implied) threat of dismissal for dissent or punitive budget cuts would stifle any collaborative discussion between elected officials and staff. Currently, any citizen has the right to "See where my property taxes are being spent" as per Eve Knudtsen. Just show up at the public budget hearing, view the online county treasurer report or go to the respective county elected official to answer your concerns. I would expect that 99% of the concerns would be answered.

There is little correlation between the BOCC and either the board of North Idaho College and/or the various school boards in the county whose collective budgets dwarf the $70+ million county budget. Perhaps Mr. Morris and/or Mr. Hippler can provide The Press a copy of their compensation as CEO of a "Not for Profit Institution" (KMC) or chartered banking institution for the past five years.

Lastly, it is the announced intention of at least Mr. Green to expand their "vision" to the offices of the sheriff and prosecuting attorney. So do you want to have the least qualified or cheapest person in that office? The proposed change in county government should be seen for what it is: A naked grasp for dictatorial power which will only serve to DENY the citizens of Kootenai County their rights to select how they are to be governed. PLEASE: GET OUT and VOTE on Nov. 6, 2012. VOTE for whomever you choose BUT defeat this measure by VOTING NO on the proposal to change the form of government for Kootenai County. Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion.

Robert S. West, M.D., served as Kootenai County Coroner from 1985 to 2011. He is a Coeur d'Alene resident.