Public service requires not only doing the right thing, but also ensuring the public has confidence in the integrity of the process. That is why I submitted my resignation on May 7 as a Special Deputy with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. Serving in that role has been an honor. I have great respect for the dedicated men and women of the Sheriff’s Office who serve our community every day with professionalism, courage and commitment. My resignation should not be interprete

I'm talking about Marc Eberlein and his endorsement of me and my job as your county commissioner. It was an honor. He's the second District 1 commissioner I've had the pleasure to work with, and one of the smartest when it comes to his intuitive sense of the job and challenges facing the commissioner role. It also means a lot to have his endorsement. He's a true conservative and we've done many great things together. I am sad to see him leave, but he has also endorsed his pro

I'm pleased to say I have some avid (and vocal) followers. Oscar Wilde said it best: "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." This is an updated repost from the last election, but not much has changed since then. In fact, some people have made a cottage industry of posting and ranting about me (and others). They are true Internet Trolls. Google defines them as: “A person who intentionally antagonizes others onli

You can thank the city of Hayden for this one. When I was working with Commissioner Eberlein last year on updating the Hayden Law Enforcement contract (so the county would be fully reimbursed for the cost of a sheriff's deputy), I noticed something that has not happened as long as I've been your county commissioner. In the contract it stated that the Sheriff's Office was to provide a monthly update to the City Council on crime stats. This deliverable stood out because the BOC

If there's one problem I've been trying to fix as your county commissioner, it's the county's historical practice of using your taxpayer money for the benefit of other taxing districts. It's true and it has happened with more frequency than many realize. In Part 4 of my series on Personality is not a Policy , I discuss the concept of "Cost Shifting." Unfortunately, many county elected officials over the years have allowed your county tax dollars to benefit other taxing distri

I’ve talked often about how beneficial a well-thought-out Comprehensive Plan is for our community. Good planning helps guide growth, reduce frustration for homeowners, and creates sound tax policy. Last week we held a public hearing on a request to change the zoning of a parcel from rural to light industrial . The property is located near a main arterial road. The challenge for nearby residents is that they bought their homes next to land zoned rural , which generally means

Last week I was invited to give the Coeur d'Alene Chamber a State of the County presentation to their members. Below is that presentation. It's about 15 minutes long and then all three commissioners answer questions.

“Death by a thousand cuts” is a phrase used to describe how something can be slowly destroyed by many small problems rather than one major failure. This idea also applies to government budgets. As I’ve discussed before, good policy — and consistently applying it throughout government — protects taxpayers’ wallets. Bad policy, on the other hand, can quietly become very expensive. Sometimes the difference comes down to small policy decisions made by elected officials. Those dec

This is Part 3 of my series on policy and how it affects you. Good policy can lead to a higher quality of life and lower taxes. Bad policy creates dissatisfaction and greater tax burden. Understanding how good policy can affect you -- and understanding why it's so important to find candidates for office who understand policy -- can make all the difference to your bank account and quality of life. In this segment, you will see how your taxes are affected by poor public safety

Is the world upside down? Sometimes it feels that way. Whether it's national or local politics, people focus on how much they like a person (or not) -- as opposed to the policy that person espouses. It's this intentional effort of focusing on personality (whether we think somebody is good or bad) that leads us to become disenchanted with the political process. It shouldn't be this way, and we can fix it easily. In part 1 I discussed how we are susceptible to emotional manipul

Why This Decision Matters After three days of testimony, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) deliberated and voted to maintain the Homestead Exemption (HOEX) for Allyson Knapp. I am aware that this outcome was not the decision the County Assessor supported, and I do not take lightly the concerns he raised. This was a difficult decision, and I carefully reviewed all documentation and testimony presented to the BOCC before reaching my conclusion. Cases like this are rare,

Likeability is crucial in politics as a core component of electability, often acting as an initial filter for voters That quote is an adaptation of a phrase often associated with Stanford professor Robert Sutton's book The No Asshole Rule . Its idea is that poor behavior is not a substitute for sound policy. In today's upside-down world, it seems like people focus on how good (or bad) a person is -- as opposed to the policy that person espouses. It's this intentional effort o

It's been a while. A lot has happened and is happening in your county government. In the coming days and weeks I will start reporting on the important issues, what is happening in your county government and how it affects you. Meanwhile, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and an opportunity to enjoy family and friends. Sincerely, Bruce E. Mattare

As a representative committed to the well-being of our community, I believe every tax dollar should be spent with purpose and transparency. While some may advocate for spending without a clear plan or project in place, my focus remains on ensuring that your hard-earned money is invested wisely. Would you want to pay $1,000 a month without a project or reason in mind? Neither would I. That's why I'm dedicated toward finding opportunities that save taxpayer money whenever possi

That's the question many county residents ask. This concern highlights a growing issue with our current public transit system. While the bus service primarily benefits residents of cities like Coeur d'Alene, Hayden and Post Falls, taxpayers across the entire county are footing the bill. This has sparked a necessary discussion on how transit costs are allocated, and it’s time to explore solutions that ensure fairness for everyone. Join the Conversation: Town Hall on Public T

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