Hayden seeks strengthened law-enforcement contract and clearer cost accounting from Kootenai County

Mayor Alan Davis told the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners on June 24 that the City of Hayden has drafted a restructured law-enforcement services contract with the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and is seeking the board's support to continue the partnership while county auditors and city staff reconcile cost figures.

"Hayden passed a levy in 2023 to increase the amount paid for law enforcement services and provide a more commensurate service level for our citizens beginning in 2024," Davis said. He told commissioners the city's proposal includes an on-site county liaison in City Hall and an adjustment intended to realign manpower for fiscal year 2026.

Davis presented per-officer figures he said were used in city planning: "In 2022, Hayden paid more than $94,000 per officer. And in 2023, it was under $83,000 per officer. In 2024, under $92,000 per officer." He said the FY26 request includes increases the city believes are necessary to close gaps in compensation and to reflect rising labor and capital costs.

Commissioner Duncan said assigning officers to Hayden benefits both the city and county when mutual aid is required and described the proposed lieutenant as a potential force-multiplier that would help the county and city work together more efficiently. Commissioner Eberline pressed for clearer contract terms: who bears liability when deputies enforce city ordinances, automatic renewal language, revenue-sharing arrangements and whether incarceration costs for city-enforced misdemeanors are addressed.

Sheriff Robert Norris described service-level challenges the county inherited and emphasized officer safety and operational realities: Hayden has grown and now requires service levels commensurate with its population and commercial activity, he said. Norris also supported continuing the contract conversation while recognizing the county must balance public-safety needs and budget constraints.

Brandy Falcon, finance director in the auditor's office, noted accounting drivers that affect the county's contract costs: "You did implement a new pay matrix for patrol deputies. So even if FTEs didn't increase, there was on average a 46 pay increase," Falcon said, stressing that increases in pay and vehicle purchases affect year-to-year cost calculations.

Mayor Davis said an auditor spreadsheet showed year-to-year swings in the city-county accounting: he summarized the spreadsheet as showing a $37,000 surplus in 2022, a $77,000 deficit in 2023, a $95,000 surplus in 2024 and a $95,000 deficit in FY25, with the current projection approaching a roughly $244,000 shortfall. City and county staff agreed to meet with the auditors to reconcile those numbers; Davis committed to make time to review the county's spreadsheet with auditors.

No contract was adopted at the status meeting. Hayden asked the board for leadership and support and for county auditors to meet with city staff so both parties can agree on a single set of cost numbers. Commissioners agreed that reconciling the auditors' figures is a necessary first step before finalizing any multi-year contract. The board also agreed to allow Hayden to placehold budget amounts for a contract while auditors complete their review.

Public comment echoed concerns about cost shifting. Resident Ron Hartman urged the county to ensure cities pay the full cost of services, including maintenance and overhead, and suggested services should be reduced if municipalities cannot pay for higher service levels.

The board then moved into an executive session; when they returned they made a motion to proceed with staff as discussed in executive session and adjourned. There was no recorded vote on the Hayden contract during the public portion of the meeting.