COEUR d’ALENE — The contract for law enforcement services in the city of Hayden, which is set to expire at the end of September, is likely to continue on a month-to-month basis while Hayden and Kootenai County leaders finalize the terms of a new contract.
During a Tuesday afternoon business meeting, Bruce Mattare told fellow commissioners that county legal counsel has crafted a standard contract that Hayden administrators will review.
“We are having a little bit of a time crunch because September is more than halfway through,” he said.
Because Hayden does not have its own police force, the city contracts with Kootenai County for law enforcement services. The contract for those services will expire Sept. 30. The process of renewing the contract for fiscal year 2026 has been laborious, with some city leaders concerned about rising costs and some county leaders asserting that Hayden is paying less than the value of the services it receives.
Commissioner Leslie Duncan floated the idea of continuing the existing contract after it expires two weeks from now.
“I would ask that maybe we consider going on a month-to-month basis with Hayden while we get all the finer details,” she said Tuesday. “I don’t want to shove anything through … I just don’t like to be pushed at the last minute when this is very important and affects a lot of other cities.”
If the contract continues in this manner, Mattare suggested that Hayden pay for services at the rate in the current contract, as well as any difference in a new contract.
Mattare told The Press on Tuesday that he believes the county and the city are making progress toward a new contract, but a month-to-month continuation is likely in the meantime.
Hayden had budgeted a little more than $1 million for law enforcement services in fiscal year 2026, while the county had anticipated roughly $1.3 million. The final cost for law enforcement services will depend on the level of service that Hayden desires.
“It’s a big range,” Mattare said.
Next week, commissioners are expected to meet in executive session with representatives from the sheriff’s office to discuss the terms of a proposed contract.
