'They need to pay attention'

COEUR d’ALENE — Commissioner Bill Brooks said he and his colleagues don’t have nearly as much power as people think.

“We can make things happen, but it’s slower. You can’t walk in and go, ‘that’s what I want,’” Brooks said, adding, "You have to work with people.”

Brooks and fellow commissioners Leslie Duncan and Bruce Mattare spent a chunk of their Wednesday morning describing how they see the current state of affairs in Kootenai County. About 100 showed to listen to what they had to say at the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber’s Upbeat Breakfast, held Wednesday at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.

A recurring theme was the need for more public involvement in the ongoing county budgeting process.

“It’s pretty interesting to find out where your taxpayer dollars are going and what the needs are in the county,” Duncan said.

Brooks agreed.

“They need to pay attention. They need to come in and check it out,” he said.

Mattare said it’s vital, moving forward successfully, that commissioners receive more feedback and input from the community.

He urged people to engage.

“You, as citizens, should be able to see how well your county government is performing when it comes to the growth model going on here — and just basic county services,” he said.

Duncan said becoming commission chair in October has allowed her to promote civility "in an increasingly hostile local government environment."

"Making sure the public is heard and respected is very important to me,” she said. “Differing views does not mean we have to be disrespectful."

She said name-calling, false assumptions and physical attacks have taken the place of productive dialogue.

Citizen involvement can prevent misunderstanding and alleviate attacks on elected leaders.

“It seems gone are the days of civil conversation and exchange of ideas,” Duncan said.

She said her goal is to foster an environment where government can serve the citizens of Kootenai County "with esteem and civility."

Linda Coppess, chamber president and CEO, asked how the people in the room could help commissioners do their job.

“What do you need from us?” she said.

Duncan said being engaged and knowing what’s going on would be a great place to start.

She said the county is often unfairly blamed for rising property tax bills, but said it’s responsible for about 25% of the total amount.

“The budget is where it starts,” she said, noting their first meeting on the county's financial plan was scheduled later in the day.

Commissioners made it clear that, by hearing more from the public, the Kootenai County will continue in a positive direction.

"We have a bright future,” Mattare said.