Hayden council approves part-time Public Safety Director position in 3-1 vote

HAYDEN, Idaho — The Hayden City Council voted 3-1 on Oct. 27 to add a part-time Public Safety Director position to the city’s staffing structure, citing the need for specialized law enforcement expertise as Hayden continues negotiations over enhanced services with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.

Council President Ed DePriest and Councilmembers David Erickson and Matt Roetter supported the proposal. Councilmember Tom Shafer voted against it.

The vote approved an update to the city’s Kinds and Levels Chart, establishing the position’s classification and pay range. It did not constitute the hiring of an individual.

City officials said the position could help Hayden evaluate law enforcement services, interpret reporting data, negotiate contracts and plan for future public safety needs.

According to the Oct. 27 council agenda memorandum, the position would be classified at Grade 14, with an hourly pay range of $55.66 to $76.81.

City staff anticipates approximately 18 hours of work per week, with no eligibility for employee benefits.

At that schedule, annual wages would range from approximately $52,100 to $71,900, depending on the hourly rate. Additional employer payroll costs would not be included in those wage figures.

The memorandum states that the position was not separately budgeted for wages. Instead, the city intends to use a portion of its existing law enforcement budget, with the salary paid from the general fund.

Staff identified reporting, internal and external communication, and future resource planning as principal needs.

Mayor Alan Davis said the city currently uses a contracted law enforcement consultant and hopes a part-time employee could provide similar expertise at a lower cost.

An important part of the discussion concerned the possibility that a city-employed Public Safety Director could obtain direct access to the sheriff’s Spillman records system.

DePriest said such access could allow the city to independently examine activity reports and verify information about law enforcement services provided to Hayden.

City Administrator Lisa Ailport expanded on that point, explaining that employment by the city could create an opportunity not necessarily available to an outside consultant.

Ailport said special access to Spillman would be a relationship specific to the city because the individual would be a city employee. She indicated that the same access likely would not be extended to a consultant.

The distinction could be significant as Hayden continues seeking more detailed reporting and accountability for enhanced law enforcement services.

The city’s proposed law enforcement agreement included a provision for access to the Spillman system and other law enforcement databases. Under the proposal, access would be coordinated between the city and county and limited to an individual meeting applicable qualifications and background requirements.

During the Oct. 27 council meeting, Ailport confirmed that she and Sheriff Bob Norris had jointly presented the city’s proposal to the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners. However, the commissioners had not approved the agreement, and negotiations remained unresolved.

DePriest also said Norris had indicated a willingness to allow a city-employed Public Safety Director to access Spillman. Ailport identified that possibility as a potential advantage over relying on an outside consultant.

The council’s vote to establish the position did not grant access to the system. Any future arrangement would depend on an agreement with the county and applicable security requirements.Ailport also described the position as a way to move beyond occasional consulting advice toward an ongoing working relationship with the city.

She said law enforcement would remain a continuing municipal responsibility, even if the city’s service arrangements change in the future.

Shafer acknowledged Hayden’s need for specialized law enforcement expertise but questioned whether establishing an ongoing employee position was the appropriate approach.

He expressed concern about the long-term implications of adding staff, particularly while the city continues evaluating its law enforcement options.

Shafer said consultants can provide specialized expertise for a defined period, while permanent government positions can be more difficult to eliminate once established.

He suggested continuing to use outside consultants while the city determines its longer-term law enforcement structure.

Shafer also questioned whether a dedicated Public Safety Director is typical for a municipality Hayden’s size and whether the proposed part-time arrangement would remain appropriate over time.

His objections centered on the staffing structure rather than the need for professional assistance in negotiating law enforcement services.

Other councilmembers emphasized the value of having an experienced law enforcement professional working directly for the city.

DePriest discussed the importance of interpreting sheriff’s office reports and verifying service information.

Roetter connected the proposed position to Hayden’s growth and the increasing complexity of municipal services. He also suggested that an experienced negotiator could potentially help reduce future contract costs.

Erickson supported having law enforcement expertise available to city officials who lack extensive professional experience in the field.

Ailport said Hayden’s circumstances are unusual because the city contracts for law enforcement services while also examining its future options. She described the proposed director position as a response to that arrangement and the city’s ongoing need for expertise.

Following the discussion, Roetter moved to approve the updated Kinds and Levels Chart to include the Public Safety Director position.

The motion passed 3-1, with Shafer casting the dissenting vote.

The council’s decision establishes the position within the city’s employment structure. The selection of an employee, final compensation and any potential access to the county’s records systems remain separate matters.