County takes early aim at budget

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

COEUR d'ALENE — Kootenai County's budget ax is expected to swing starting this week as commissioners consider trimming about $8.3 million in department wish-list items. The goal? Developing a proposal with a minimal, if any, tax increase.

One position discussed in recent years that already appears to be dead on arrival is a strategic planner/public information officer.

Commission Chairman Marc Eberlein said he doesn't believe hiring someone for the position is feasible, especially since the board recently approved a business analyst/grants management position on a 2-1 vote. Eberlein opposed that latter move.

"We'd be looking at about a $160,000 loaded cost for those two full-time positions," he said. "Where would the money come from? We're already struggling with the budget. It's going to be tight."

The discussion helped set the tone for budget crunch season.

Commissioners discussed budget proposals for the offices of the assessor, prosecutor, treasurer, coroner and district court on Wednesday after reviewing items for the offices of the clerk and sheriff last week. Today they'll tackle areas under their own supervision.

Budget deliberations will continue Friday and likely into the summer to prepare the proposed fiscal 2019 budget for a public hearing on Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.

Clerk Jim Brannon said his office has been asked by the board to start the budget process with no tax increase or raises.

"They want to open the budget flat in essence," Brannon said. "Of course, they have the right to change (during deliberations). The budget picture should start to become more clear after this week."

Brannon said commissioners have the difficult job of setting the budget.

"They have to weigh a lot of worthwhile requests from the various departments and have to determine the best value for the dollars," he said.

Among the possibilities the board weighed in on early is the PIO position.

"A lot of public records requests continue to come in," said Commissioner Bob Bingham, referring to one of the duties the job would entail.

The board has also desired having its meetings televised to increase transparency, another responsibility of that position. However, costs have prevented that step from becoming a reality.

Eberlein said he still believes the cost for televised meetings can be reasonable and is worth exploring.

Another possible duty of the job, helping develop a five-year plan for the county, has also been considered.

Bingham and Commissioner Chris Fillios believe a strategic plan is crucial, but Eberlein said he questions the need, especially with new commissioners often coming on board.

"(Planning and priorities) are things we should have in mind when we take office as commissioners anyway," said Eberlein, citing the jail expansion and airport land acquisitions as recent examples.

Fillios countered: "We lose continuity because of commissioners coming and going, but a plan can still be put in place."