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Kootenai County budget shortfall narrows with plan to use fund balance and cut small grants
Summary
Facing a projected FY26 deficit, Kootenai County commissioners discussed lowering reliance on forecasted interest, using one-time fund balance for selected consultants, and agreed to cut a $32,000 historical-society request while asking elected officials to prioritize personnel and ongoing A/B budget requests.
Kootenai County commissioners on June 25 reviewed preliminary FY26 budget figures and directed staff to reduce reliance on forecasted interest revenue, use fund balance for several one-time consultant requests and cut a $32,000 grant request from the Rathdrum Westwood Historical Society.
Finance staff reported that, at a 0% proposed tax increase, the county faces a $2,000,000 shortfall for FY26. With a 3% tax increase the projected deficit falls to roughly $216,000 (the finance presentation used a number shown as $217,000). The budget currently assumes no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for county employees in the FY26 baseline.
The board and staff debated how much interest income to count as ongoing revenue. Commissioners and the county treasurer said using a high, recurring interest forecast is a risk if…
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