The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners voted Nov. 25 to approve a third addendum to the law-enforcement services agreement with the City of Hayden after an extended discussion about contract language, reporting and deadlines.

Under Sheriff Brett Nelson presented the addendum and said county staff were continuing negotiations with the city. Commissioner Duncan urged more time for negotiations, arguing the relationship is a partnership and warning of financial consequences if terms are forced: "Well, again, I would say it's a good partnership to have with the city, and I think that we will be hurt financially," he said. Duncan proposed extending the monthly addendum through February to give negotiators more time to finalize details.

Other commissioners pushed back on a long extension and flagged a specific concern in Appendix B that would require equipment purchased for the contract to be removed if the city continued to use vehicles after the agreement ended. Commissioner Eberlein said the asset clause and the lack of clear handling for county‑purchased assets needed resolution but argued the county could give the city one more month to settle open items. Commissioner Aberline emphasized the need for a designated county point person to negotiate with the city council to avoid repeated on-the-record meeting discussions.

The board discussed reporting requirements and the pace of previous negotiations, with one commissioner characterizing alarm about layoffs as speculative. The motion to approve the third addendum was moved and seconded and carried on a recorded voice vote with Commissioners Aberline and Duncan and Chair Metairie voting Aye.

The board directed that a county representative be appointed to coordinate negotiations with the City of Hayden's representative and that outstanding questions about Appendix B and reporting be addressed as part of ongoing talks. No contractual amendments beyond the third addendum were made at the meeting.

The vote finalized the immediate extension under the third addendum; the board did not adopt a longer, multi-month extension during the meeting and noted negotiations and reporting follow-up would continue in the weeks ahead.