Board of Community Guardians continued; members seek $30,000 in FY27 funding

David Levine, chair of the Kootenai County Board of Community Guardians, presented the group's annual report and asked commissioners to continue the board for another year. Levine said the board rejected six of eight referrals last year because many inquiries were from people who live outside the county, from individuals without permanent incapacity, or because families or friends could address the need without guardianship; he said the guardianship board is intended as a last resort.

Levine told the commissioners the board has operated for more than 30 years and that case management services are provided through a renewable three-year contract with Kootenai Health; he said that contract comes up for renewal in August and the board will return to the Board of Commissioners for approval at that time. The board asked the same FY27 appropriation as FY26: $30,000 to cover operations; Levine said an increasing share of costs are subsidized because more people under guardianship have less ability to pay.

Commissioners voted to continue the Board of Community Guardians under Idaho Code §15-5-603(b) and to accept the annual report. Later in the agenda the board approved two resolutions: Resolution 2026-14 to classify records as permanent, semi-permanent or temporary under county guidelines, and Resolution 2026-15 to destroy the listed temporary records; the presenter said legal had reviewed and approved the records actions.

Levine and commissioners thanked board members for their service; the FY27 budget request will be considered in the county’s budget process and is not a direct appropriation from this meeting.

The board then proceeded to other agenda items and adjourned at about 2:30 p.m.