Kootenai County commissioners on Dec. 10 reviewed a draft intergovernmental agreement that would give participating cities and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe a formal advisory role on CityLink transit operations, but they made no decision and asked for more detailed cost data.

The discussion, led by Commissioner Duncan and Tyrell Stevenson, legislative director for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, focused on governance options — a joint powers agreement (JPA) versus a binding intergovernmental agreement — and on the program's finances. Stevenson told the board that for fiscal year 2024 the tribe received $276,000 in reimbursements and that "the amount that the Coeur d'Alene tribe expended to operate CityLink North was about $700,000, and then we received 276,000 in reimbursement, meaning that the Coeur d'Alene scribe funded $419,000 for CityLink North." He also presented an "operations at a glance" showing roughly $3,200,000 in total income from FTA grants and local matches.

Why it matters: The proposal would shift formal input over routes, budgets and service connections from a three-member county-led decision process toward a structure that includes city and tribal representation. Supporters said greater city engagement could ensure services match municipal priorities and encourage shared funding; opponents worried about losing county control and about new coordination burdens.

County concerns centered on cost, control and exit terms. One county commissioner said the draft gives cities ability to delay the county budget process and questioned what the county would gain, adding bluntly, "There's nothing binding in here." Commissioners debated whether a JPA — which some argued would be harder to exit — or an intergovernmental agreement that keeps final implementation authority with the Board of County Commissioners would better protect county interests.

City representatives were cautious about a JPA. Troy Thonissen of the City of Coeur d'Alene said city councils had not yet seen the draft and that cities generally prefer an intergovernmental agreement to creating another government entity. County staff explained that some county administrative costs historically have been treated as in-kind match and that documenting time for indirect costs has constrained the county's recorded in-kind contributions.

Public commenters raised alternatives and process concerns. Attendee Trevor Line suggested relying on private ridesourcing such as Uber instead of buses; elected officials replied that federal grants are intended to support public transit that connects riders to jobs. Public commenter Ron Hartman proposed placing a November ballot question asking whether county commissioners should continue to run and control CityLink.

What came out: The board agreed to take the draft under consideration and asked the working group to produce clearer, updated cost and in-kind accounting so the commissioners can evaluate whether a governance change is in the county’s interest. No motions or votes were taken.

Next steps: Commissioners said the cities' governing bodies should review the draft; the working group will refine the proposal and provide more accurate cost data before the BOCC considers further action.