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Hayden council authorizes 2026 Kootenai County policing contract after debate over costs and accountability
Summary
After a lengthy debate about staffing levels, tracking of deputy time and costs, the Hayden City Council voted to authorize the mayor to sign a fiscal‑year 2026 law‑enforcement contract with Kootenai County. Council members agreed to press the county for monthly time reports and set expectations for accountability.
The Hayden City Council voted on Dec. 19 to authorize Mayor to sign Kootenai County’s fiscal‑year 2026 law‑enforcement contract after hours of discussion about staffing, cost and the county’s ability to document how much time deputies spend in the city.
Council members said the county’s revised proposal reduces dedicated patrol staffing compared with the expiring arrangement. Council member Schaefer summarized the math in council discussion, saying the expiring 10‑deputy model cost about $954,000 and that the county’s revised model was described as a seven‑deputy option priced at $1,193,934 — “three fewer patrol deputies for $240,000 more,” she said. The point framed the meeting’s central trade‑off: fewer deputies or substantially higher costs.
The meeting included pointed accountability questions from a council member who…
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