Kootenai County extends ITD paratransit grant deadlines amid debate over city funding and governance
November 04, 2025 | Kootenai County, Idaho
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The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a set of grant amendments with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) that extend the performance period for paratransit vehicle purchases through September 2027.
Chad Engel, transit department, told commissioners the amendment extends the agreement for purchasing paratransit vehicles and that the department has not yet spent the grant funds; the intent is to purchase replacement paratransit buses that have exceeded their useful life. Engel said the current quoted cost is about $197,000 per bus and that two paratransit buses are identified as having exceeded useful life.
During public comment and deliberations, Ron Hartman asked for a city-by-city cost breakdown for agenda items 14–18 and for clarification about what each grant will purchase and what county taxpayer costs remain. Commissioner Duncan pressed for clarity about city participation and whether cities intend to be long-term stakeholders; Commissioners debated whether to pursue a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or a joint powers agreement (JPA) that would obligate cities to fixed contributions.
Commissioner Duncan moved to approve multiple ITD grant amendments (C2373K2, C2273KC04, C2379KC01, and C2479KC01, as referenced in the meeting). Commissioner Eberlein recorded a nay vote; Commissioner Duncan voted aye; Chair Metari voted reluctantly aye. The motion carried 2–1.
The board discussed next steps for replacing vehicles and noted that acquiring buses often requires stacking several grants because of the high per-unit cost. Commissioner Duncan said staff can bring vehicle purchase requests back to the board as soon as next month. Commissioners also discussed outreach to the cities and the possibility of drafting an MOU that would require an absolute contribution from participating cities if they are to be treated as stakeholders.
No specific dollar figure for the county’s uncovered cost per agenda item was provided at the meeting; a city-by-city breakdown was requested on the record.
Chad Engel, transit department, told commissioners the amendment extends the agreement for purchasing paratransit vehicles and that the department has not yet spent the grant funds; the intent is to purchase replacement paratransit buses that have exceeded their useful life. Engel said the current quoted cost is about $197,000 per bus and that two paratransit buses are identified as having exceeded useful life.
During public comment and deliberations, Ron Hartman asked for a city-by-city cost breakdown for agenda items 14–18 and for clarification about what each grant will purchase and what county taxpayer costs remain. Commissioner Duncan pressed for clarity about city participation and whether cities intend to be long-term stakeholders; Commissioners debated whether to pursue a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or a joint powers agreement (JPA) that would obligate cities to fixed contributions.
Commissioner Duncan moved to approve multiple ITD grant amendments (C2373K2, C2273KC04, C2379KC01, and C2479KC01, as referenced in the meeting). Commissioner Eberlein recorded a nay vote; Commissioner Duncan voted aye; Chair Metari voted reluctantly aye. The motion carried 2–1.
The board discussed next steps for replacing vehicles and noted that acquiring buses often requires stacking several grants because of the high per-unit cost. Commissioner Duncan said staff can bring vehicle purchase requests back to the board as soon as next month. Commissioners also discussed outreach to the cities and the possibility of drafting an MOU that would require an absolute contribution from participating cities if they are to be treated as stakeholders.
No specific dollar figure for the county’s uncovered cost per agenda item was provided at the meeting; a city-by-city breakdown was requested on the record.
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