NIC board adopts 2024 budget

COEUR d’ALENE — North Idaho College trustees voted Wednesday night to adopt the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 but are leaving open the possibility of amending it further.

The $54 million budget does not include a property tax hike, nor does it include an increase in student tuition. About $2.4 million, which includes some funds from the state, will provide the equivalent of an 8% compensation increase for full-time and part-time employees.

The board directed NIC President Nick Swayne to gather more information about possible changes to the college’s athletics conferences, to be presented at another meeting in August or earlier.

Trustees also put off a decision on new legal counsel for the college, after a failed 2-2 vote to hire Spokane-based firm Stevens Clay.

There were four applicants for the college attorney job, which opened after attorney Art Macomber announced his withdrawal from the position, effective Aug. 15.

Attorneys on the Stevens Clay team have served as general counsel for Eastern Washington University, as well as general counsel for the community colleges of Spokane and Bend Community College. The firm has served as general counsel and litigation counsel to around 100 school districts throughout the region. The firm’s lead attorney charges $275 per hour, $50 less than Macomber.

“They have substantial experience representing colleges and institutions, not individuals, which I think is a really important aspect,” said NIC President Nick Swayne. “The focus of their firm is education law.”

One of the applicants, Sandpoint-based attorney D. Colton Boyles, was in the audience Wednesday night.

“I looked at his resume,” said Trustee Brad Corkill. “He doesn’t have any experience. None. None at all.”

Trustee Tarie Zimmerman strongly urged the board not to hire Boyles, pointing to the case of former Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, who Boyles represented when the Idaho Press Club successfully sued her for improperly denying public records requests.

“Entertaining a candidate like Boyles Law is like deja vu from December, or a bad dream or a nightmare,” she said.

The board is also still considering Boise-based firm Holland and Hart, which reportedly has numerous attorneys with expertise in different areas. Rates for the firm’s services range from $255 per hour to $765 per hour, depending on which attorney does the work.

Trustee Greg McKenzie said he is most concerned with attorneys who have experience with “institutions with expensive insurance situations,” because NIC’s insurance costs have greatly increased.

Though the board typically does not meet in July, McKenzie indicated that trustees may convene for a special meeting sometime between June and August.