County to consider levy

COEUR d’ALENE — County leaders will consider whether to let the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office ask voters for additional funding.

At Wednesday’s elected officials meeting, Kootenai County Treasurer Steve Matheson floated the idea of a permanent override levy as a possible solution to the ongoing budgetary struggle between the sheriff's office and the Board of County Commissioners.

“I’m open to that conversation,” Sheriff Bob Norris said.

Like his predecessors, Norris has repeatedly called on commissioners to increase KCSO’s funding so the agency can increase wages. He also is urging them to complete an unfinished addition to the jail.

Commissioners voted unanimously last week to approve a $2.06 per hour raise for detention deputies at the county jail, bringing entry-level wages to $22.77 per hour.

Commissioner Chris Fillios has previously emphasized that increased funding must come from a recurring source, such as a levy, and not from the county’s savings.

If KCSO and the Board of County Commissioners agree, the levy could appear on the November ballot. It would require a two-thirds majority vote to pass.

A permanent override levy would increase property owners’ taxes, though the amount would depend on how much funding KCSO seeks.

Under Idaho law, elected officials may not advocate for or against a ballot measure.

That means Norris can’t ask voters to support the potential levy, though he can explain how the funds would affect the agency.

KCSO must draft its proposal before commissioners can decide whether to put it on the ballot.