Kootenai County commissioners approve probation fee increase

COEUR d’ALENE — A pandemic-safe ventilation system for the Juvenile Detention Center and adult probation fee increases were among topics addressed when Kootenai County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday to vote on a variety of proposals.

The Board unanimously approved fee increases for adult misdemeanor probation. These are costs associated with court-mandated monitoring such as alcohol breathalyzing and GPS tracking bracelets. The new rates and fees are:

Probation Fee: Not to exceed $75 per month. Late/Missed Appointment Fee: $25 per incident, SCRAM Remote Breath Fee: $10 per day. SCRAM Bracelet Fee: $10 per day. GPS Bracelet Fee: $10 per day. Stalker Alert Fee: $10 per day. Drug Testing UA Fees:$10

The Board unanimously approved funding for an updated ventilation system in the Juvenile Detention Center.

According to J.T. Taylor, director of Juvenile Detention, the new exhaust fans are designed to prevent air from being shared between juvenile detention medical pods to stem the spread of COVID-19 in the facility.

The Board approved $9,700 for the exhaust fans and adjustments, which will alter airflow and conform to new safety needs.

Other topics at the meeting included approval of grant fees for the Emergency Communications Center and facility use agreement for the Coeur d’Alene Music Conservatory at Hamilton House.

Use of the Hamilton House building has been limited due to structural issues, asbestos and black mold. Commissioner Bill Brooks described the needed renovations to the facility as “extremely expensive.”

Organizers and board members are still debating how to best mitigate the concerns and liabilities awhile allowing more visitor use at the museum and venue.

During public comment, community members expressed their support for the conservatory and emphasized the importance of uniting people through music.

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Reed Perry can be reached at rperry@cdapress.com