Kootenai County commissioners debate $1M Hayden law enforcement contract

COEUR d'ALENE — Kootenai County commissioners were split on whether to accept the city of Hayden's proposed contract for law enforcement services Tuesday.

Under the proposed month-to-month contract, Hayden would pay the county $1 million for the services of five patrol deputies from the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, plus a detective and an animal control officer. The $1 million would cover wages and overtime, plus insurance and overhead costs. 

County finance director Brandi Falcon told commissioners that it would cost the county about $1.2 million to provide those services, leaving a $257,000 deficit. 

"I think that's more that I'm certainly willing to go," Commissioner Bruce Mattare said. 

The proposed contract also includes provisions requiring Kootenai County to provide "adequate and detailed records" of overtime billed to the city and monthly reports on law enforcement activities in Hayden. 

City leaders have repeatedly called for transparency in cost calculations and accountability for how city dollars are used. 

The city's $1.2 million contract for law enforcement services from the sheriff's office expired Sept. 30 after the Hayden City Council voted not to renew it for fiscal year 2027.

In Idaho, each county sheriff has a primary obligation to enforce state criminal law within the county. That means KCSO's obligation to enforce state law in Hayden persists, even without a contract with the city. 

Last week, Hayden city administrator Lisa Ailport told commissioners that the proposed contract addresses those concerns while Hayden makes a meaningful commitment to working with the county. 

"The city is willing to put skin in the game here," Ailport said last week. 

The Hayden City Council is expected to consider creating a new director of public safety position to serve as a conduit between the city and the county on law enforcement matters. 

During the Oct. 20 meeting, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris recommended that commissioners consider Hayden's proposal. 

"Let's put this contract in place and then let's continue discussions on the city that is growing and needs a law enforcement presence that is commensurate with their growth and their population," he said. 

On Tuesday, Mattare expressed reservations. 

"Under what set of circumstances do we subsidize another taxing district and for how much?" 

Kootenai County Commissioner Leslie Duncan challenged this idea. 

"'We' meaning the city of Coeur d'Alene," she said to Mattare. "Per your calculations, the unincorporated area is actually being subsidized, as well. The cities that provide their own law enforcement are actually the ones that are incurring more." 

Mattare said he believes the city of Hayden "wants to build out its own" police department "off the back of the county taxpayer" and the month-to-month contract is a means to that end. 

"Someone told me at one of their events that they've approached some of our deputies and asked if they would join the Hayden police department and I was told that they said they would," he said. 

Duncan said she's confident that Hayden leaders want to continue contracting with Kootenai County for law enforcement services. 

"They also want to understand what they're getting for their money," she said.