HAYDEN, IDAHO – The Hayden City Council passed an ordinance which established a Hayden Public Safety Commission. The ordinance was approved and signed by Mayor Scott Forssell on November 14, 2023, and only Councilmember Sandy White opposed the ordinance. The commission will consist of at least five members, with no more than seven members, who are appointed by the mayor with the consent of the council to three-year terms.
The commission is required to meet at least two times per year, and are tasked with recommending policies and procedures “in matters pertaining to public safety including law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and other areas wherein the matter of public safety may be of concern; specifically, review statistic data and other information concerning
public safety.”
There is some speculation as to whether this commission is being used to buttress the position of some members of the council who have publicly supported creating a city police department.
“I opposed creating the commission for several reasons. There is no definition of what they are really doing, the meetings are not recorded, and we just passed a levy to support the contract with the sheriff’s office, which we just started paying,” stated White. “Also, I am in favor of having a sheriff that supports the Constitution, and is not answerable to a mayor.”
The city’s law enforcement is currently under contract with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. The city is paying the county $76,433 per month under a contract which went into effect on October 1, 2023. This amounts to $917,196 annually for 10 designated patrol deputies covering all shifts, seven days a week, as well as providing for the costs of investigative, administrative, and training responsibilities.
There was also a one-time payment of $160,000 for the purchase of two patrol vehicles. If the contract is terminated within five years, the vehicles are to be transferred to the city, otherwise the vehicles will remain the property of the county. The contract contains a provision wherein the compensation will be evaluated in May every year before the fiscal budget cycle concludes.
The application deadline to be considered for the commission ended on November 30, 2023. The council is expected to hear who the mayor appoints for consideration of its approval at the meeting on December 12, 2023.
