Fate of public docks uncertain after Kootenai County pulls support

HAYDEN — The Lakes Highway District was recently left scrambling when it was told the county is discontinuing its public dock and restroom services at several local boat launches. 

Eric Shanley, director of highways for the district, said when he asked last week what was going on, he was simply told, “The county’s leaving.”   

“We're being dealt a situation where the county is basically abandoning these facilities and simply leaving them to the highway district,” Shanley said. 

Docks affected include those at Bayview Fifth and Lakeside, the Spirit Lake Nautical Loop and the Twin Lakes Par 3.

Shanley said he hopes the district can find a way to keep public docks and restrooms available. 

“We just want to be part of the solution,” Shanley said. “We're being presented with some challenges, and I guess a new mission, but we don’t want to be the people who are taking this away from the public.” 

A Thursday release from the Board of County Commissioners called the decision “a proactive effort to reduce expenditures." 

During the fiscal year 2025 budget deliberations, the BOCC “declined to appropriate funds toward the current lease agreement with Lakes Highway District.” 

The lease payment was $25,000. When asked by The Press whether the collected fees exceeded the amount of the lease, county officials declined to answer.

The Lakes Highway District's annual budget is about $13 million. It maintains rural roads surrounding Coeur d'Alene, Dalton, Hayden, Hayden Lake, Avondale, Twin Lakes, Spirit Lake and Bayview. About $5 million of that budget comes from property taxes, Shanley stated.  

The district will discuss solutions at a meeting at 5:30 p.m. March 17 at 11341 N. Ramsey Road, Hayden. 

“We really need some public input on this,” Shanley said.   

    5th and Lakeside restroom in the Lakes Highway District.