The Hayden City Council voted Tuesday to reject Kootenai County’s proposed law enforcement contract for fiscal year 2027, citing concerns over service levels, reporting transparency, and the timing of negotiations. The unanimous vote by the three council members present ended a lengthy public discussion regarding how taxpayer dollars are spent on public safety in the North Idaho community.
City leaders expressed frustration that they did not receive the contract document until late last week, despite requests beginning in April. Council President Ed DePriest noted the city had spent nearly three years seeking documentation on Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) response times within Hayden limits. The delay prevented a thorough review before the meeting.
Contract Terms and Cost Concerns
The existing agreement costs the city $1,193,933 annually. It funds five patrol deputies, one available animal control officer, one available detective, and administrative overhead. Staff explained that the county’s proposal for the next fiscal year would reduce Hayden’s assigned deputies from five to four while adding a new overtime charge.
Mayor Alan Davis stated the current contract was designed for enhanced services rather than baseline law enforcement duties. He acknowledged that rejecting the contract with only three council members present was not the ideal procedural option, but the concerns regarding value and transparency outweighed the desire to maintain the status quo without scrutiny.
Alternatives and Future Policing Models
Council members questioned signing another annual agreement before the completion of a full Matrix Consulting report. Draft findings from the consulting firm indicated a low level of serious crime in Hayden but identified traffic concerns as a major issue. The council discussed potential alternatives, including a lower-level ordinance enforcement model instead of establishing a full municipal police department.
DePriest noted the city owns five purchased vehicles that could be utilized by an ordinance enforcement department. By comparison, staff estimates suggest creating a new Hayden police department would require 16 total positions—12 sworn officers and four non-sworn roles—and cost approximately $2.58 million annually in operating expenses. The proposed structure includes one chief, one lieutenant, one sergeant, three corporals, four police officers, and two detectives.
Crime Trends and Reporting Challenges
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Zachary Sifford addressed the council to defend the deputies’ work while acknowledging frustrations with data reporting. Sifford explained that while the sheriff’s office can track time, it struggles to prove when deputies remain inside city limits versus leaving for Hayden-related calls elsewhere. He stated command staff has been working with other agencies and analysts to improve these reporting metrics.
Sifford reported that rape cases had increased, though reviewed cases did not involve strangers. He noted that thefts and vandalism were expected to rise following a trend of vehicle break-ins tied to individuals traveling through several states. Many theft reports were centered around the Walmart and Super One locations in Hayden. Sifford added that 19 traffic crashes in a summer month was about average for the area.
Councilman Roetter stated he made public records requests for payment history but did not receive the information he wanted. Hayden residents paid approximately $2.5 million into the county justice fund in tax year 2024. City Attorney Fonda Jovick clarified that the only action item on the agenda was whether to approve the contract, leaving no procedural path to table the decision for further study at that meeting.