Kootenai County assessor hires Boyles

Kootenai County commissioners have agreed to allow Assessor Béla Kovacs to hire attorney D. Colton Boyles to represent his office in multiple civil lawsuits but won’t reveal how much Kovacs is authorized to spend.

Will an open space bond be floated again? It's unclear

After Kootenai County voters rejected a $50 million bond meant to curtail development on the Rathdrum Prairie, it’s unclear whether the concept will come before voters again.

County commissioners reject assessor’s request for attorney

Kootenai County commissioners have denied Assessor Béla Kovacs’ request to hire attorney D. Colton Boyles to represent his office in two civil lawsuits.

Justice Building expansion moves forward

After a tense Monday night meeting where Kootenai County commissioners debated the scope and cost of the ongoing Justice Building expansion, the board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the project’s second phase.

Kootenai County commissioners commit $9.9 million to jail, sheriff’s office expansion

Kootenai County commissioners have agreed to allocate nearly $10 million to fund capital projects for the sheriff’s office, while plans for the in-progress Justice Building expansion remain up in the air.

Kootenai County commissioners to reexamine Justice Building project

In the face of growing costs, Kootenai County commissioners will reevaluate the scope of the ongoing Justice Building expansion project.

Kootenai County commissioners approve $141 million budget

Kootenai County commissioners voted Wednesday to approve the county’s fiscal year 2024 budget, which includes levying 3% more property taxes.

Commissioners consider county employee pay

Kootenai County commissioners will assess pay steps for county employees rather than calculate a cost of living adjustment for employees as part of the fiscal year 2024 budget.

Kootenai County commissioners reflect on 2022

As Kootenai County’s three commissioners reflect on the year that was and look ahead to the future, one won’t return for another term.

Passenger terminal decision on hold for airport

Commissioners table decision on development and ground lease

Kootenai County commissioners put off a decision Tuesday on whether to approve a 25-year lease for the development of a commercial use passenger terminal at the Coeur d’Alene Airport, pending additional input from legal counsel.

Embattled assessor retains office

Incumbent Duncan wins only contested commissioner race

After an election cycle marked by sharp criticism from his staff, an unprecedented pay cut and a lawsuit, Kootenai County Assessor Béla Kovacs appeared victorious Wednesday in his bid to retain his office over write-in candidate Bob Scott. Meanwhile, Republican incumbent Leslie Duncan won the county’s only contested commissioner rac

County responds to assessor’s suit

Commissioners assert pay cut was lawful

Kootenai County has responded to a court appeal filed by Assessor Bela Kovacs over commissioners’ decision to cut his pay, asking the court to dismiss the petition with prejudice.

Commissioners consider impact fees

County commissioners indicated that they’re open to imposing impact fees on development that include a commitment to hiring more patrol deputies and completing unfinished housing units at the jail. What remains to be seen is whether the county can hire the employees it would have to promise in exchange for the fees.

Commissioners approve spending COVID-19 rescue funds

Most ARPA funds will go toward Justice Building