Rathdrum spending plan includes tax hike

Rathdrum City Council recently voted to approve a $59.8 million fiscal budget for 2027 that included a 2.75% property tax increase.

The budget included adding a new city administrator and expansion of the Rathdrum Police Department, which will add a detective.

“It's a really important thing for our citizens, for the victims within our community that we have, because every case that (Rathdrum’s one detective) has is important, yet we have to triage cases,” said Police Chief Daniel Haley.

Jerry Tretwold, president of the Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor of boosting the police force.

“I've also been a police commissioner for 13 years, so I truly understand what the police department is doing and what they need," he said. "I worked with the police all the time and saw what they do and see them put their lives on the line.”

A 2.75% property tax budget increase was approved, but even with the additional cost to property owners, officials said the city’s levy rate is projected to decrease due to the increase in new construction.

The new budget will also add a dedicated human resources director for the last quarter of the fiscal year.

“That HR person is going to wear a lot of different hats and is going to fill in a lot of different slots,” Councilmember Larry Sanders said. “It's way more valuable than maybe we think as a committee or a council to justify that position.”

The Parks and Recreation Department will move a part-time recreation assistant to full time.

“Our role as elected officials to be good custodians of people's money, right, and to make sure that we are doing the best that we possibly can with the information that's provided to us,” Rathdrum Mayor John Hodgkins said.

    Rathdrum Councilmember Matt Suhr during the city council meeting Aug. 26.
  

    Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Tretwold speaks before the Rathdrum City Council.