Fountain to seek re-election to Lakes Highway District

Diane Fountain is seeking re-election for commissioner of Sub-District 3 for the Lakes Highway District in the May 21 election.

The district serves northern Kootenai County, including Bayview, Dalton Gardens, Hayden, Hayden Lake, Avondale, Twin Lakes and Spirit Lake.

Since being elected in 2015, Fountain, who is the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency's executive director, believes she has been transparent and accountable of taxpayer dollars.

There has been no levy increase since she has been in office and financial information, including monthly reports, annual budgets and annual audits, are now posted to the website. Those were promises she said she made to the voters.

Fountain said she keeps a close eye on the budget and notes that the district has been successful in obtaining more than $1.2 million in grants over the past three years.

"I’m proud to be a part of Lakes Highway District," she said. "A lot of money has been invested updating the district’s fleet of maintenance vehicles. Surplus vehicles have gone to the cities of Dalton, Hayden and Spirit Lake. It’s nice to be in a position to assist the cities within our jurisdiction as everyone in Kootenai County pays taxes to a highway district."

Fountain said now the focus can be on safety projects and road repairs such as the overlay projects on Lookout Drive and Hayden View that will be done this summer.

Fountain said her passion is to represent the taxpayer by being fiscally responsible without jeopardizing the safety and maintenance of the roads. Safety is a top concern, she said.

Born and raised in Coeur d’Alene, Fountain has 35 years financial experience. She and her husband Jeff have been married 36 years and have two grown children and three grandchildren.