Commissioners approve $287K jail upgrades and $964K patrol fleet expansion requests

Kootenai County's Board of County Commissioners made significant strides in budget deliberations for the fiscal year 2026 during their meeting on June 11, 2025. A key highlight was the approval of several critical infrastructure requests related to the jail's five-year plan, totaling $287,000. This includes essential upgrades such as bulletproof window tinting and improvements to employee and patrol parking lots, which were deemed necessary for safety and operational efficiency.

Commissioner Duncan emphasized the importance of these upgrades, particularly the bulletproof glass, stating, "If I was in there and somebody was shooting at me, I think I would like to have some bulletproof glass." The board agreed to mark these items as approved for now, indicating a commitment to enhancing security measures.

Further discussions revealed additional requests from the sheriff's department, including a $115,000 intercom system replacement and a $14,000 jail water heater, both of which are critical due to their age and condition. The intercom system, original to the jail, was described as "out of life," highlighting the urgent need for modernization.

The board also reviewed a substantial request for the patrol fleet, which included nine regular patrol vehicles and one K-9 vehicle, amounting to $964,000. Concerns were raised about the size of the request, with some commissioners wary of increasing future funding needs. However, the decision was made to keep the request in the budget for now, with plans to adjust funding sources to property tax revenue.

In addition to these discussions, the facilities budget was addressed, with requests for $667,000 in elevator repairs, $129,000 for HVAC controls, and $75,000 for new windows. The board acknowledged the necessity of these upgrades, particularly noting that elevator repairs had been postponed for five years.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to addressing critical infrastructure needs while balancing budgetary constraints. The board's decisions will pave the way for improved safety and functionality within Kootenai County's facilities as they move forward with the budget planning process.