[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6608401,"mediaKeyId","2939512-cb96c220a74f63681fdef3bfc76c94e9","parentId",2939512,"title","Rathdrum adopts updated fee schedule, approves new water‑rate tiers and vendor credit‑card fees","audioSeconds",160,"startMs",1150000,"endMs",1310000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939512-cb96c220a74f63681fdef3bfc76c94e9&start=1150&end=1310","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939512-cb96c220a74f63681fdef3bfc76c94e9/thumbnail_1150000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6608401/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Rathdrum-adopts-updated-fee-schedule-approves-new-waterrate-tiers-and-vendor-creditcard-fees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608401-c41c71580f8e1a534288aa3fd8fff116/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178694&Signature=UjMBdg09JeHmPVW0EbpPZdpqihc8AqJek4jE9uK~ZIMCuwDYpUSz7OWs3XDdvgU3CsT0eNGPUxxjsPSlR0snhfysWFqtZgC0CpWj6Vj61k8aDcyEOJedc20Ui5v5DMkb3RF7kJnneERkF67rJe~XtFQhIuuefT3-Gi~R9Aq0zirblXyqUO2VSEWGw85nW84NMJorDeUtc2L6H4lq9zixQPAaTJog2SennHqCOLCXaGeN1g93e6aQvMx4BUCMzbmK8ufAFqKL2ZjMdVyDJuQjNOOMChzOF7lBa8Z07b0-yPmZxwmFZTe89LXwrSA1qSmDbRn1vEqjcR1NWBuDeTkNQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rathdrum","date","2025-04-10T04:10:02.623Z","article","The Rathdrum City Council adopted a resolution updating the city fee schedule and approved an ordinance amending city code to clarify commercial irrigation billing for single‑meter properties.

City staff described the fee changes during a public hearing that drew no public speakers on the item. Leon, a city staff member who presented the fee update, said the changes include adjustments to beer, wine and liquor licensing fees, a new tiered structure for residential water usage, new commercial irrigation charging methods for meters that serve both business and irrigation, and an administrative change tied to the city’s third‑party payment processor.

Key changes described in the presentation (staff figures and attributions):
- Wine license: staff said the on‑premise wine fee will move to $200 (from $100) and the off‑premise wine fee to $200 (from $150), as required by state law language cited by staff.
- Residential water tiers: Leon summarized the new tiered usage structure designed from a cost‑of‑service analysis. He said the proposed monthly charge at 5,000 gallons would be $15.55 (the presentation noted that the current charge at typical winter usage was higher) and that many winter users will see a lower bill under the new structure. Example comparisons presented by staff: at 10,000 gallons the proposed bill would be $18.90 compared with the current $20.55; at 20,000 gallons the proposed estimate was $26.05 versus a prior $27.05. Leon noted the city had not used a tiered structure previously and that the change reflects higher summer irrigation demand.
- Irrigation and mixed‑use meters: the council considered an ordinance that directs how to apportion irrigation use for properties with a single meter serving both commercial and irrigation demands; staff said the ordinance treats winter usage as the commercial baseline and bills excess summer usage at the irrigation rate.
- Credit‑card processing vendor: staff said the city will move from the current vendor (InvoiceCloud) to a different vendor (BS&A as presented) that charges 2.95% plus $0.50 per transaction; InvoiceCloud’s current charge was described as about 3.25% with a $3 minimum. Leon clarified these are third‑party vendor fees and not a new municipal service charge.

Council voted to adopt the resolution updating the fee schedule; staff said the adopted fee increases would take effect May 1. The council also approved (by motion) adoption of ordinance language that clarifies irrigation billing and the requirement that new commercial properties install separate irrigation meters where appropriate; the council moved and passed the ordinance on its readings as recorded in the minutes.

Votes at a glance (administrative items approved by council during the meeting):
- Resolution adopting updated fee schedule — outcome: approved (motion and second recorded; roll call vote recorded in meeting minutes). Fees to become effective May 1 per staff presentation.
- Ordinance amending city code section 8‑1‑9 (water/sewer) to set rules for irrigation billing and require separate meters for new commercial development — outcome: approved (motion carried; publication instructions to follow per council action).
- Adoption of other administrative items at the same meeting: the council authorized a memorandum of understanding with Post Falls on a shared sewer force‑main / reconstruction project, and set the FY26 budget public hearing for Aug. 27, 2025. Those motions were approved by council as recorded in the minutes.

What council and staff said about impacts: staff said the water tier changes are designed to reflect seasonal irrigation demand so that winter users generally see reduced bills while high summer irrigation users may pay more under the new tiers. Staff also emphasized that vendor processing fees are charged by the private vendor; customers may avoid those costs by paying by check, cash or submitting ACH through the city’s internal ACH option.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 9, 2025 - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Rathdrum’s City Council adopted a revised fee schedule and an ordinance clarifying irrigation billing, changing liquor/wine license fees, implementing tiered residential water rates and approving a new third‑party card processor fee structure.","taxTitle","Rathdrum, Kootenai County, Idaho","taxId",55014,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608405,"Rathdrum Council approves Hayden Homes rezoning with conditions tying commercial build‑out to residential permits",1749,192000,1941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939512-cb96c220a74f63681fdef3bfc76c94e9&start=192&end=1941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2939512-cb96c220a74f63681fdef3bfc76c94e9/thumbnail_192000.jpg","/articles/6608405/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/Rathdrum-Council-approves-Hayden-Homes-rezoning-with-conditions-tying-commercial-buildout-to-residential-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608405-fd6cb0e7b981061dd5de78dc907a01ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178694&Signature=CIXyxl9KT5~VXgoSJSAr9oeLyGMeUfJoBuwdG-hvJ5i62JIr-xeZSyYbIH9ZdmmkZjjpNYoRx4lwAO~ScdsbzJ1mtpKi7mqQWrsmBUc36iw9vNblg~qtfjOP2oENn-~WBDRF7tLfp6mlB0UExRMmlw5MW7uumaji7vwxlimxpV37ek4N~CRMoKvvS8lkoHY~0h~0SNcyXQ110dIVQU9lfZm4sDcKphSVe6FxHn9wlIjbCPSnkNjKRUX73OGb2SL7DXra-VvU0suvT7IkeFRblDT21TGPxJ8e3f3GMw0t8GvDYWXDUwh8RCbDcBbAbxN4ua5HhD0o~v5T0VP7Gdd~cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rathdrum City Council voted to approve Hayden Homes’ Aristad property rezone request, changing roughly 24 acres from industrial to mixed residential, after a public hearing and lengthy council discussion. Council attached conditions on lot-size mix and staged commercial construction before final platting and later building milestones.

Hayden Homes’ land development director Eric Schack and company representatives presented the application and a concept plan showing the southern portion of the site rezoned to mixed residential and the northern portion (about 33 acres) remaining industrial. Schack said the company anticipates a multi‑year buildout and described product types ranging from about 1,200‑square‑foot homes on 6,000‑square‑foot lots up to larger homes on 10,000‑square‑foot lots. Hayden Homes’ government affairs representative Jen Kovitz also detailed the builder’s local projects and affordable‑housing commitments.

The council and staff spoke at length about traffic, water and sewer capacity, school impacts and whether the proposed layout matched the city’s comprehensive plan designation of low‑density residential. City staff and the applicant confirmed a traffic study had been prepared and submitted to the city engineer for review; Hayden Homes said it would work with city engineers on required frontage and intersection improvements. City staff and public works also explained the city’s water supply and storage posture and ongoing water master planning work.

Multiple residents testified in the public hearing, raising concerns about school capacity, road congestion on Meyer and Railway, groundwater and aquifer impacts, wildlife and open‑space loss. Lakeland School District sent a letter saying the district could not support the rezoning because of added student demand; Hayden Homes said it met with district officials and offered assistance identifying potential school sites and housing options for teachers.

During deliberations, council members debated density and how to ensure the north industrial portion of the site is developed and does not remain vacant after residential construction. The council approved a motion that rezoned the property to mixed residential but added conditions requiring a specific distribution of lot sizes inside the mixed‑residential zone and tying commercial/industrial development milestones to residential permitting:

- Lot‑size mix: the council required that the residential portion follow the approximate lot‑size distribution approved in the motion (larger lots, mid‑sized lots, and smaller lots), with the city to capture those size ranges in the developer’s zoning conditions and preliminary plat review;

- Phased commercial requirement: council required staged commercial build‑out tied to residential permitting thresholds. The motion tied percentage thresholds of residential building permits to required percentages of commercial completion (measured by commercial certificates of occupancy) so commercial construction must begin and reach specified completion milestones as residential permitting advances.

Councilmember John Hatcher recorded a “no” vote; the motion passed. The applicant said it would proceed to preliminary plat and engineering work consistent with the conditions approved by council and acknowledged that final platting and construction sequencing would be reviewed during the plat process.

What happens next: Hayden Homes will proceed to preliminary plat and technical design. The rezone approval does not itself approve a subdivision layout; the preliminary plat (lot lines, engineering, stormwater, frontage improvements and final conditions) will return to staff, planning commission and council for permitting and approval per the city’s established review process.

Residents and council members emphasized that infrastructure—especially roadway improvements, water storage capacity and school planning—will guide the pace and sequencing of construction and will be addressed as part of the plat and permitting phases.

","The Rathdrum City Council approved Hayden Homes’ request to rezone about 24 acres from industrial to mixed residential after a lengthy public hearing and deliberation. Council attached conditions that set the mix of lot sizes and require staged commercial development tied to residential permitting milestones.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":79,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":82,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608396,"City auditor reports clean FY24 opinion; single‑audit triggered by SLFRF spending has no findings",150,342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2939512-cb96c220a74f63681fdef3bfc76c94e9&start=192&end=342","/articles/6608396/Rathdrum/Kootenai-County/Idaho/City-auditor-reports-clean-FY24-opinion-singleaudit-triggered-by-SLFRF-spending-has-no-findings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608396-6df430b7b06a2b2668f5c32fe49bb8f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178694&Signature=ZSO~feQcnNDCeKfVIofJtawoCHI3nU4nVutKkyWniYUvG5oqU~OCAuacly~QPH4e9UCoU24o6Lwq3xSHI929XLsEmo9DBhN6QS4eeQebiCXKNoug0BGbERbb6bYdbmI68Z9dSfmPyYyEMXlWa3T5G3xKSntWDmykWggOBIugrtF7FIZa7Q-nwaaVyeMouPbJiQmGgu5kNev0q3mvgkI3gYRglSGQ1-qivRBfoVQA0YepSkw74DgwkI1xSwOB1ZIBttyAVSMPVGhX5NvcRMXtLtbN1TOnxBeXithaRblRZu3cGOQiAX3-KlTz6Ynj4cP~ukO1rm~SnjyVvGYw4v6vTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An independent auditor reported to the Rathdrum City Council that the city’s fiscal‑year‑2024 financial statements received a clean opinion and that the single audit required because of federal grant spending produced no findings.

Tony Mattson of accounting firm Hayden Ross presented the audit results to council, telling members the city’s FY24 financials “are fairly stated as presented” and that auditors removed a prior‑year finding related to financial close procedures after staff implemented corrective actions. Mattson said the city had to undergo a single audit because fiscal‑year‑2024 spending of federal awards exceeded the federal single‑audit threshold (the city spent a portion of American Rescue Plan/SLFRF allocations during FY24). He said the single audit testing showed no compliance findings.

Mattson reviewed high‑level fund results: the general fund ended FY24 with a fund balance the presentation listed as $11,742,000, an increase of about $2.865 million for the year; general‑fund revenues were roughly $9.2 million and expenditures about $6.337 million. He said interest and investment earnings were up in FY24, and capital outlay spending decreased from the prior year. Mattson also summarized impact fee balances, capital projects (including the new city hall fund) and the accounting treatment and reserves in the proprietary water and sewer funds, noting working capital and available‑for‑operations balances and that the water and sewer funds’ cash positions “look pretty good” in their view.

Mattson closed by thanking city staff for helping bring the audit back on schedule and for resolving the prior‑year closing issue; council did not take formal action on the audit presentation itself but had the report accepted into the record.

","The city’s independent auditor told council the FY24 financial statements received a clean opinion and the single audit triggered by federal SLFRF spending produced no findings. Auditor credited city staff for getting the audit back on schedule and for resolving a prior year financial‑close finding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rathdrum adopts updated fee schedule, approves new water‑rate tiers and vendor credit‑card fees

Rathdrum Council approves Hayden Homes rezoning with conditions tying commercial build‑out to residential permits

City auditor reports clean FY24 opinion; single‑audit triggered by SLFRF spending has no findings