BOCC reviews $20K improvement request for Mica Bay boat launch funding

The Kootenai County Board of County Commissioners convened on June 11, 2025, to deliberate on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, addressing several funding requests from various departments. The meeting focused on budget allocations for parks, public safety, and equipment purchases, with discussions emphasizing the use of restricted funds.

The first item on the agenda was a request from the Parks Department for $20,000 to improve the Mica Bay boat launch. This funding is to be sourced from two restricted fund balances. The commissioners opted to continue the discussion on this request, indicating a decision would be made at a later date.

Next, the board reviewed a request from the Sheriff’s Department for a sonar remotely operated vehicle (ROV) funded through restricted funds. The commissioners expressed support for this request, marking it as approved, as it complements a previously approved machine.

The discussion then moved to a $55,000 request for a pickup truck for the Parks Department, which is also funded through restricted sources. The board decided to keep this request on the agenda for further consideration, signaling that a final decision would be made in the future.

Additionally, the commissioners addressed a split funding request for a snowmobile from the Sheriff’s Office, totaling $57,600, with part of the funding coming from snowmobile revenues and the remainder from property tax. Questions arose regarding the cost of snowmobiles, with commissioners considering the feasibility of using fund balance instead of property tax for part of the funding.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the careful consideration of budget requests and the importance of utilizing restricted funds effectively. The board plans to revisit several items in future sessions, ensuring thorough evaluation before finalizing the budget.