Eberlein announces re-election bid for county commissioner

Kootenai County Commissioner Marc Eberlein is seeking re-election to the Board of County Commissioners for District 1.

“Eberlein, of Post Falls, has been a strong advocate for limited government during his first term,” said a news release announcing his candidacy.

“It was a pleasure to work with Marc. He is a man of high moral standards and integrity who always puts the county first,” said former District 3 commissioner Dan Green, in the release.

Green and Eberlein served together on the KCBOCC for two years.

“I was elected by the people of Kootenai County to represent their interests. Hard decisions are made daily; testing the wind is not an option. Spending other people’s money is not a responsibility to take lightly,” said Eberlein.

In encouraging citizens to participate in government, Eberlein said, “It is not a privilege or a right; it is a duty.”

He said he believes the airport is essential for the livelihood of the community now and in the future. He said he worked in his first term as commissioner, with airport staff and associated governmental agencies, to secure economic viability and sustainability for the Coeur d’Alene Airport while also increasing safety for the residents of Kootenai County.

Eberlein said he led a zero percent tax increase for the Fiscal Year 2016 budget.

“Obamacare impacted the Fiscal Year 2017 budget with an additional $1.7 million cost to the county. Eberlein reluctantly supported a tax increase to fund $1.4 million of that cost. Not satisfied, he met with other consultants to find solutions to the massive cost of the Affordable Care Act,” said the news release. “The result was the board hiring a new insurance consultant in early 2017 and achieving a projected fiscal year 2017 savings of $.8 million in unspent dollars. For the Fiscal Year 2018 budget, Eberlein did not support the tax increase. He deemed it unnecessary and offered alternatives to keep tax at zero, which were rejected in a 2-1 vote.”

In announcing his candidacy, Eberlein said that most recently he has taken a fresh-eyes approach to the issuance of building permits and works to protect the citizens as well as streamlining the requirement of a building permit.

Eberlein and his wife, Elaine, have been married 39 years. They have four children. He is a business owner-entrepreneur.

“God, family, and country are very dear to Marc and led him to take an active interest in public service,” said the announcement.