Kootenai County commissioners approve $146 million budget

In a split vote, Kootenai County commissioners voted Wednesday night to approve the county's fiscal year 2027 budget, which includes levying 3% more taxes.

Kootenai County to publish $147 million budget

Kootenai County commissioners agreed this week to publish a $147 million budget for fiscal year 2027 that includes a 3% increase in property taxes, about $3 million more than the previous year.

Kootenai County starts FY2027 budget process

Even if Kootenai County commissioners levy 3% more property taxes in the coming fiscal year, they’ll need to make budget cuts to avoid a deficit.

Knapp crushes Kovacs

County incumbents win big in other races

Former chief deputy assessor Allyson Knapp flattened incumbent Kootenai County Assessor Béla Kovacs in Tuesday’s Republican primary election, winning the race with 65% of the vote and 17,451 votes overall.

Bruce Mattare: Focused on growth, accountability

Bruce Mattare said he takes a businesslike approach to his role as a Kootenai County commissioner, one focused on metrics and results. “Everything can be put into numbers,” he said. “It’s a matter of having the fortitude and the understanding that it can be done.”

Commissioner wants more drug dog searches in schools

Sheriff expresses reservations about the idea

Kootenai County commissioners appear split on a proposal to give the sheriff’s office discretion to conduct random searches with drug-sniffing dogs in schools that contract with the county for school resource officer services.