Hayden City Council approves 30-day addendum to Kootenai County law enforcement contract

Hayden City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a supplemental addendum that extends the city's existing law enforcement services contract with Kootenai County for 30 days, with an option to extend for an additional 30 days if both parties agree.

The council held a brief special meeting to consider the single item. A council member moved to "approve this addendum as described," a motion that was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote of four in favor: Council President Rotor, Council Member White, Council Member Dupree and Council Member Schaeffer.

Council discussion centered on budget and accountability. Council member Ed urged transparency about costs and the scope of services, noting the current contract was based on sheriff-provided options and costs for 10 deputies and that the council previously approved a $954,000 contract level. Ed said earlier budgeting had proposed $1,049,000 for the next year but that the county now projects costs near $1,800,000, and he calculated that difference would be an increase of roughly $846,000 (about an 87% increase). He called for clear, auditable time and activity reports before agreeing to longer-term commitments.

"If we're gonna move forward in the contract, we have to have accountability numbers," Council member Ed said.

Council members also discussed a provision in the addendum’s Exhibit A that would allow the county to provide time reports through its records software. The city attorney said the draft and related scenarios were provided to council by email and asked whether council wanted the matter handled by a joint workshop with the Public Safety Commission or routed first to the commission for recommendation.

Council member Matt sought clarity on the addendum’s duration; the addendum was described during the meeting as a 30-day extension with an option for another 30 days if both parties agree, meaning the longer 60-day period is not automatic.

Ed also raised concern that, under proposed terms the county is reportedly seeking, the county would gain control of vehicles the city purchased and that using reserve funds to cover near-term costs could leave the city without assets or savings to pursue a municipal police department in the future. He urged the ongoing negotiations be informed by consideration of those long-term ramifications.

The council did not take any additional formal direction at the meeting beyond approving the addendum. The city attorney said he would seek council direction afterward on whether to hold a workshop with the Public Safety Commission or to send the draft to that commission first.

The motion to approve the addendum passed; the meeting adjourned immediately afterward.