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City updates: Rathdrum staff report on city hall, sewer capacity and county tax dispute
Summary
Staff updated council on the new city hall project and renderings, ongoing water and sewer rate study and phased sewer infrastructure; city representatives said the county retains interest and penalty funds under dispute at the Idaho Supreme Court.
City staff provided several operational and capital updates during the meeting, including progress on the new city hall project, ongoing water and sewer rate study work, and an update on the dispute with Kootenai County over penalties and interest retained by the county.
City hall: Staff said architects and the construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) procurement are moving forward; renderings combining Rathdrum Mountain and timber elements were shown to council and staff plan a public outreach push with the Coeur d’Alene Press and the city website. Staff noted that limited floor plans were being withheld from broad release for public‑safety reasons (police operations) but that general departmental locations (utility billing, parks and rec, council chamber and community development) were being shared.
Sewer capacity and rates: Public Works staff reported seasonal peak flows that exceeded 600,000 gallons per day across the Thanksgiving period, stressing that the system pumps sewage to Post Falls and that two lift stations currently feed a shared outfall pipe. Staff said a phased plan to install a larger 16‑inch transmission line and to take one lift station offline by routing a gravity line to the Greens Ferry lift station is underway; those capital needs are part of the ongoing sewer rate study and will be funded through the rate study’s planned capital program.
County tax penalties and litigation: Staff reported no new update on the county dispute; the city is awaiting a decision from the Idaho Supreme Court after the county appealed a district court ruling. Staff said the penalties and interest the county has retained historically averaged about $14,000 per year for Rathdrum; staff noted the county is also moving forward with an impact fee for the jail that could generate a larger revenue pool tied to new development. Association briefs supporting the district court’s ruling were filed and the city is participating in broader efforts to seek a legislative fix to the problem in the future.
Other updates: staff said the city is proceeding with portions of the water and sewer rate study (phase 2 and phase 3), held a pre‑submittal meeting for the CMGC solicitation, and is auditing water meters in certain areas to prepare for a meter upgrade project.
No formal actions were taken on these updates during the meeting; staff will continue work and return as projects advance.
