#KootenaiCounty

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Level 1 (GET READY) evacuations issued for wildfire near Rathdrum

RATHDRUM, Idaho -- Level 1 (GET READY) evacuations have been put in place for a wildfire near Rathdrum in Kootenai County.

citizenportal.ai

Kootenai County staff says rising costs compelled 3% measure

A Kootenai County staff member told the board that a $1.8M health-insurance spike, step-pay increases and jail overtime lifted the county budget by $5,885,000 this year and left officials ‘‘compelled to do the 3%.’’

citizenportal.ai

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

The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to publish the FY27 tentative budget with a proposed 3% property tax increase after directing staff to rebalance the draft by restoring select personnel requests to a pooled line, cutting a temporary clerk float and trimming vehicle funding.

citizenportal.ai

Staff: surface‑mining standards should apply to new mines and permit renewals; retroactive application unlikely

Planning staff said legal counsel concluded new mining standards could not be applied retroactively to mines in existing mining zones; standards could apply to new mines and to restricted surface mines at conditional use permit renewal.

citizenportal.ai

Commissioners urge neutral hydrologic study and consider moratorium on new permits over aquifer

Several commissioners called for the county to hire or jointly fund a neutral hydrogeologist to set scientifically defensible separation standards; some supported a temporary moratorium on new CUPs while the study proceeds.

citizenportal.ai

Comprehensive‑plan survey: nearly 2,000 responses show strong support for trails and preserving open space

County planner Aaron told the commission the final survey drew almost 2,000 responses, skewed toward older property‑owning residents; transportation, loss of farmland and protecting open space and water quality were the top priorities.