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Hayden Council endorses request for $50,000 aquifer study, will sign joint support letter

Hayden City Council · February 25, 2026

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Summary

Council approved a letter urging the Kootenai County Aquifer Protection District to fund a $50,000 study on the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer's carrying capacity; council amended the motion so all council members and the mayor will sign the letter, and staff clarified the district would contract directly with the consultant.

Hayden City Council voted Feb. 24 to provide a written letter of support encouraging the Kootenai County Aquifer Protection District to fund a study into the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer’s carrying capacity amid ongoing development pressures.

Councilmember Matt (a long-serving Hayden Urban Renewal Agency commissioner) said the requested funding is $50,000 and described the proposed consultant, Leon Kalakiewicz, as highly experienced in NEPA and regional environmental studies. He said the goal is to answer "what is the carrying capacity of the Rathdrum Prairie aquifer due to development?" and to avoid binding the city to procurement rules by having the district contract directly with the consultant.

City attorney/staff advised the council that if funds were routed through the city the city would be bound by procurement statutes and possibly by RFQ/RFP requirements; staff therefore recommended a general letter of support to the Aquifer Protection District rather than naming a specific consultant. Councilmember discussion noted potential partners (Soil & Water Conservation District, Farm Bureau) and the value of multijurisdictional backing.

A motion to provide a city letter of support was amended so the final letter would be signed by the mayor and all council members to signal broad support. The council approved the amended motion by roll-call vote (all members voting yes).

Next steps: staff will draft the support letter for council signatures and the Aquifer Protection District will consider the application during its funding cycle. The study, if funded, would be contracted by the district and not paid through city accounts, per staff guidance.