Kootenai County commissioners vote to publish FY27 tentative budget including 3% property tax increase

The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners voted to publish the FY27 tentative budget that includes a 3% property tax increase after a brief deliberation on balancing measures.

Brandy Falcon, a county staff member presenting the preliminary summary, told the board the current draft shows a $154,126 deficit assuming the 3% tax increase. Falcon outlined the adjustments the board had agreed to that would nearly balance the draft: restoring certain personnel requests into a general fund pool, cutting a temporary staffing pool of about $16,000 and reducing a clerk float by 25% (about $19,000). Falcon said bringing the patrol vehicle line back to prior unit costs would remove roughly $140,153 and that staff would make a small $800 revenue adjustment to reach balance.

Commissioner Aberline moved to approve publishing the tentative budget with a 3% property tax increase. The board voted unanimously: Aberline, Commissioner Duncan and Chair Metairie each recorded an "Aye." Chair Metairie announced, "Motion carries." The board directed staff to publish the tentative budget for public review under the stated assumptions and changes.

The vote follows staff statements about the primary cost drivers pushing the county toward the tax increase, including health insurance, step increases and jail overtime. The publication authorizes public notice and the next steps in the budget process; the board did not adopt a final budget at the meeting.