COUNTY: Keep Brooks, Fillios

I’m curious about statements made by two challengers for County Commissioner seats in the May election. Specifically, I find the claims regarding Kootenai County’s fiscal health and “overspending” alarming. Yet a quick check of online resources shows these statements to be misleading at best.

According to the video of the county budget meeting March 26, County Finance Director Darrow states that the fund balance is being managed well by the current commissioners. She said, “Fiscally you guys are in really good shape.” Management of fund balance has improved over the past two years as ongoing expenses are no longer being paid for from this one-time money.

The videos are informative as many times Commissioners Bill Brooks and Chris Fillios deny requested increases. They go into painful detail to oversee and manage taxpayer dollars — as they should. Anyone watching the meetings can see and admire their discipline.

Brooks and Fillios are being wise when it comes to spending fund balance dollars. They take a lot of heat, but when you look into the details (as I would assume a challenger would), the truth tells a different story. These men are worthy of my support and my vote.

GEORGE WAGNER

Coeur d’Alene