Kootenai County approves part-time juvenile detention nurse hire above market threshold

Kootenai County commissioners voted unanimously on June 18, 2025, to approve hiring a part-time juvenile detention nurse at a rate above the county’s 97% market threshold after a department head requested the exception.

Eric Sheffield, juvenile services director, told commissioners that a full-time nurse retired and that the department sought to replace the role with two half-time, nonbenefited positions to increase flexibility and reduce costs. Sheffield said the department posted the first part-time opening but received only one applicant in roughly two and a half months; the retired nurse expressed interest in returning and could be available as early as July 5.

Sheffield asked that the returning nurse be hired at the hourly rate she held when she left—"grade 9, step 9," as stated during the meeting—which exceeds his authority as a department head and therefore required board approval. Commissioners discussed budget implications and were told the hire would increase FY26 costs by about $4,000 but would be an overall personnel-cost decrease because the full-time position had been removed.

A commissioner moved to approve the hire; a second was recorded. The vote was recorded as Commissioner Eberline: Aye; Commissioner Duncan: Aye; Chair Metari: Aye. The motion carried.

The board did not discuss individual personnel details in open session and did not send the matter to executive session. The approved appointment is limited to the hiring authority above the department head’s pay range and does not by itself change classification or benefits for the position.