County commissioner to hold town hall meetings

Kootenai County Commissioner Leslie Duncan has scheduled two town hall meetings to discuss county-related topics and gather input.

The first will be on Thursday, April 25, at 6 p.m. at the Athol Community Center, 30355 Third St. The other will be Thursday, May 2, at 6 p.m. at the Medimont Grange, 31146 S. Highway 3.

"I want to have open, transparent dialogue with citizens about issues facing the county," Duncan said. "There will be a time for questions, however, the time will be limited. If citizens have solutions to problems the county is facing, I would like to hear them."

Topics at both town hall meetings will include property taxes, law enforcment and legal services, and employee compensation.

Duncan said property values are increasing and rising taxes are a concern. She will discuss the county portion of the tax bill and her plan to hold the line on taxes.

Duncan said public safety and court services are the county's largest expense. There are challenges in providing the mandated services.

With employee compensation, Duncan said health care costs are rising and employees need to earn a living wage, but taxpayers can bear only so much of the burden.

— Brian Walker