Kootenai County reports fewer open positions; $1,000 referral program shows early uptake

Human Resources Director Sylvia Proud told commissioners March 6 the county had 74 open positions as of March 3, 2025, a 14.5% decrease from the same time in 2024. Proud said 33 of those open positions were funded at 50% for fiscal year 2025.

Proud and HR staff reported a partial recovery in recruiting at the sheriff's office: the sheriffs office was down 25% in open positions from last year, with four planned patrol hires scheduled to start between March and August; for detention deputies, she said there were 17 open positions with 26 candidates currently in background checks. For a category labeled "echo" (non-supervisory), Proud said 10 openings existed and eight candidates were in background checks.

Proud and Sarah Masters provided an update on the county's subscription to Aaron (recruiting software) and the employee-referral incentive program. "With Aaron the program began in August of 2024...we have 63 referrals that have been made...we hired 146 people in 2024 and there's 63 referrals. Now the referral is just... the candidate doesn't have to put a name in the application. It'll link to that employee..." Masters said. The county paid about $17,000 in the first year of the Aaron subscription and received a subsequent invoice that increased costs by about $1,000.

HR staff said they will continue monitoring Aaron's effectiveness and that they must give notice by December 2025 if the county chooses not to renew the subscription. Commissioners requested continued outreach to departments and roll-call briefings to promote the referral program; HR said it will keep the board informed of effectiveness metrics and provide a recommendation prior to any renewal decision.

No formal board action on hiring strategies or subscription renewal occurred at the meeting.