The Kootenai County Commission recently created an optional forms of government study commission. To help us breakdown the details and objectives of this study, we welcome Commissioner Chris Fillios. He joins us this Friday.Two weeks ago, we received an overview of the various forms of county government from Professor Markie McBrayer PhD. Currently, Kootenai County is governed by a 3-member elected Commission. This is one of six alternatives that are approved by Idaho Code. The study is tasked “to review the government of the county and recommend which, if any, optional form of county government should be proposed to the electors.” When completed, the study group’s recommendation will be presented to the Commission. If they accept the recommendation, it will be presented on a future ballot for county voters to decide.
Join Chris this Friday, at noon, online.
We distribute a Zoom link on the Thursday prior to the meeting date. To request the link or assistance getting connected, contact Phil at pjwmia@aol.com.
Videos of our Club Meetings are available at KootenaiCountyDemClub.com/Meeting Videos.
Optional Forms of Government Study Commission
The optional forms of government study commission held its first meeting last week. Their review process could take up to a year to complete. This type of study has occurred at least twice since the state legislature authorized such changes in 1994. However, in both cases, the proposals were rejected by the voters.
The outcome of this study could be significant but only time will tell. In the meantime, we should stay focused on the study’s progress. Kootenai County’s population is currently growing at a rate of 2.5% per year and our county population is nearing 164,000 residents. So, whatever the outcome, the recommendation must offer the administrative structure to effectively manage our growing needs. In addition, for those of us in the metro areas, we need to acknowledge that the recommendation requires county-wide voter approval.
County Commissioner Chris Fillios
Chris and his wife Linda moved to CDA in 2000. In May 2011, he won election to the East Side Highway District Board of Commissioners and was re-elected in May 2015 for a second four-year term. In January 2017, Chris resigned his position to assume the position of County Commissioner. He ran unopposed in 2020 and was reelected to another four-year term.
