Commissioners question Kovacs on county policy

COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai County Assessor Bèla Kovacs faced pointed questions from commissioners Tuesday about whether he followed policy when he recently placed an employee on administrative leave.

“It’s come to the board’s attention that somebody is on admin leave with no path forward,” Commissioner Leslie Duncan said during a special meeting Tuesday morning. “I just want to point out that our operating procedure does not necessarily allow for ongoing admin leave pay without an ongoing investigation among HR, legal and all that.”

Kovacs said he placed the employee on leave for undisclosed reasons Feb. 13, the same day he informed the county’s human resources department of the matter.

“I am working through the issue,” Kovacs told commissioners Tuesday. “I am working on getting back to the HR Department.”

Commissioner Bruce Mattare pressed Kovacs on whether he familiarizes his staff with county policies and properly notifies employees when they are disciplined or placed on leave.

“I had a conversation with HR and I followed the instruction of HR,” Kovacs said.

“My only concern is the person claims they have not been notified,” Mattare said. “That could end up being a problem with procedure here.”

“Well, apparently there’s a disagreement,” Kovacs said.

If Kovacs did not follow county policy, Duncan said, the result could be costly.

“Our purpose is to remind what the procedure is and that, if the procedure is not followed, that opens up the county to a $20,000 deductible,” she said.

This is not the first time Kovacs has been accused of improperly disciplining staff.

During Kovacs’ time as purchasing director for Spokane County, employees reported he disciplined them for disagreeing with him and “abused” the county’s probationary period rules, telling staff he could “get rid of them” at any time.

Kovacs resigned from his position with Spokane County in January 2018.

For nearly a year, Kovacs has been embroiled in public conflict with his staff in the Assessor’s Office and with other Kootenai County elected officials.

Before the May 2022 primary election, more than 30 Assessor’s Office employees pleaded with voters not to support Kovacs, calling him a detriment to the office. They pointed to Kovacs’ inexperience, disinterest in the daily workings of the office and alleged disrespect for his employees

Kovacs retained his office, receiving about 75% of the vote over write-in candidate Bob Scott.

In September, commissioners cut Kovacs’ pay in half, citing both a failure and an inability to perform the duties of his office.

Kovacs’ office had delivered the 2022 property values more than a month late, leaving Kootenai County taxing districts temporarily unable to finalize their budgets.

Kovacs has since sued Kootenai County, asking for his pay to be restored.