Rep complains, city adjusts

COEUR d'ALENE — An assertion by an outgoing legislator that the city of Coeur d'Alene is breaking the law in its handling of financial documents has led to policy change.

Rep. Kathy Sims, R-Coeur d'Alene, filed two public records requests with the city in August, then re-filed the same requests in September, asking for financial documents. After reviewing the documents, Sims wrote a letter to city Finance Director Troy Tymesen saying the documents are being handled illegally: They’re not being signed under oath by Tymesen, and they’re not being submitted according to timelines set by state law.

"I have found no proof of legal compliance in any information my request received," Sims wrote. "Efficiency is not the issue. Correctly following the laws of the State of Idaho is for the protection of the city residents and their hard-earned dollars."

Mayor Steve Widmyer assured Sims, in a letter dated Nov. 14, that the city had consulted with legal counsel, officials from other cities, and the Attorney General's Office. As a result of those discussions, he said alterations were made.

Those alterations, according to Widmyer's letters, include adding an oath to be signed by Tymesen at the end of all future monthly reports that states, "I hereby swear under oath that the amounts reported above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge." The city will also file the monthly reports at the city clerk's office within 10 days of the end of each month.