CITYLINK: Critical service benefiting all of us

I am increasingly concerned by county commissioners Bruce Mattare and Marc Eberlein’s performance. All Kootenai residents pay taxes to the county, yet Bruce and Marc seem progressively focused on either reducing services that benefit Kootenai cities or asking cities to pay more than what is already contributed by their residents. According to public estimates, approximately 70% of County taxpaying households live in cities.

Most recently reported, Citylink service is firmly in the commissioners’ crosshairs. I believe that Kootenai County pays less than 2% of the Citylink budget and yet Bruce wants the cities to increase their contributions. Citylink provides our most vulnerable citizens with complimentary transportation to the hospital and through our communities. A commissioner suggesting Uber is embarrassing. 

The Citylink is not the first destructive Mattare narrative. He claims county residents are unfairly supporting Hayden law enforcement services. I see Hayden deputy’s cars outside of Hayden routinely and appreciate the additional deputies their city funds. By treating the Sheriff’s services as pay-to-play (a brainless Eberlein quote), the commissioners overlook the benefit our entire county receives. What’s going to happen to our deputy population if Hayden creates a police force?

I do not want my taxes to be wasted and no system is perfect. But I have zero issues paying for critical services that benefit all of us. I absolutely do have an issue with two people dominating decisions as if non-city residents are their only constituents.

DANA SILVA

Coeur d’Alene