As the morning sun streamed through the windows of Kootenai County's city hall, the Board of County Commissioners convened on August 29, 2025, to tackle a pivotal agenda item: the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. With the clock striking 10 AM, the atmosphere was charged with purpose as Commissioners Eberlein, Matari, and Duncan gathered to finalize the county's financial roadmap for the coming year.

The meeting commenced smoothly, with no changes to the agenda and a brief moment for public comment that yielded no responses. The first order of business was the adoption of Resolution 2025-66, which encapsulated the budget adjustments requested during the public hearing. The commissioners expressed their satisfaction with the proposed budget, indicating a consensus on its contents.

“I move that we adopt resolution 2025-66 for Kootenai County's FY26 budget,” Chair Matari stated, prompting a swift second from Commissioner Eberlein. The vote was unanimous, with all commissioners affirming their support. The motion carried, marking a significant step in the county's fiscal planning.

Following the budget approval, the commissioners turned their attention to the next item: the approval of elected officials' salaries, effective September 21, 2025. Again, the discussion was brief, with no questions raised. A motion was made and seconded, leading to another unanimous vote in favor of adopting Resolution 2025-61.

With the essential business concluded and no further public comments to address, the meeting adjourned promptly at 10:02 AM. The swift proceedings reflected a focused commitment to the county's governance, ensuring that Kootenai County is well-prepared for the financial challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the new fiscal year.