Kootenai County voters face Citylink advisory question

In November, Kootenai County voters will answer a question that could shape Citylink's future.

The Board of County Commissioners has placed an advisory question on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, asking if county taxpayers should "be responsible for managing a bus system that benefits Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Post Falls and Dalton Gardens." 

Voting "yes" indicates support for the existing public transit model with Kootenai County at the helm, while a "no" vote means voters don't want the county to manage the transit system. 

Citylink serves Coeur d’Alene, Dalton Gardens, Hayden, Huetter and Post Falls, with three routes and 81 stops. The program also provides paratransit services for people with ADA-eligible functional limitations who cannot use fixed-route buses. There is no fare to ride Citylink buses.  

"The county voter was never asked if they wanted to take on something like this," Commissioner Bruce Mattare said Tuesday. 

Mattare brought forward the advisory question in August. Marc Eberlein, whose term expires in January, voted with Mattare to put it on the ballot. Leslie Duncan cast the dissenting vote, calling the ballot language "problematic" and skewed toward a "no" response.

While the advisory vote carries no obligation to compel a change, Duncan said a "no" vote could have major implications for the future of Citylink.

"That result could be used politically by commissioners to bully and intimidate cities into a joint powers agreement to operate transit," she told The Press. 

Mattare has long pushed for cities to shoulder more responsibility for public transit services, arguing that Citylink primarily serves city residents.  

"I've advocated all along that the cities play a role as stakeholders, as opposed to these entities that sit kind of outside but give money for no rhyme or reason," he said. 

In 2024, city leaders declined Mattare's proposal for a joint-powers agreement, indicating they were satisfied with their current level of involvement and the county's management of public transit. Mattare has continued to float the idea. 

Duncan opposes the creation of a joint powers agreement, which she said would grow government and cause instability with existing federal grants. 

She said a joint powers agreement would mean Kootenai County gives up control of Citylink to an unelected board, instead of a board "directly elected by and accountable to the citizens of Kootenai County." 

Duncan said the current model for public transit management is more efficient and cost effective than other options. 

"The cities are willing to take more direct responsibility with an intergovernmental agreement where the county makes the final decisions but cities would have advisory input on all aspects of budget and operations for Citylink," she said. "This gives the cities buy-in without disrupting the entire system." 

The Federal Transit Authority and Idaho Transportation Department grants primarily fund the transit system. The program receives match funds from the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and Kootenai Health, as well as contributions from participating cities, with Coeur d'Alene paying the lion's share, typically more than $100,000. 

Coeur d'Alene Mayor Dan Gookin said the city supports the public transit system and that the community benefits from it. 

"I believe a key factor that businesses look for when relocating to an area is public transit," he said. 

Duncan said federal grants cover the salaries of Citylink employees and the county receives indirect cost reimbursement for grant administration. 

"Along with match provided by the Tribe, Kootenai Health and the cities, there is little to no expense to the unincorporated county citizens," she said. 

The county budgeted a little more than $65,000 for the transit program in fiscal year 2025. For fiscal year 2026, the county budgeted about $3,700 for Citylink. 

"We have migrated toward having the grants pay more and more for the cost of the service, but it's more of a liability," Mattare said. "The county gets the liability on the grants if something doesn't go right." 

Mattare said he's unsure why some community members think he opposes Citylink. 

"I have not done anything to impede its services," he said. "People are going around saying that I'm denying grants, which is absolutely false." 

During a December 2025 meeting with county, city and tribal representatives about the future of their Citylink partnership, Mattare questioned whether Kootenai County should operate a public transit system at all. 

"Frankly, I don’t think the county should be in the business of providing public transportation," Mattare said during that meeting. "I believe the cities should be in that business because that’s who Citylink serves. I’m trying to find a way where that responsibility, liability and contribution can be taken over by the cities. That’s the whole point." 

Mattare said Tuesday that the results of the advisory question vote could inform commissioners' decisions. 

"We would have to investigate options depending on how it goes," he said. 

    Duncan
  

    Gookin