Clearing the "Air" and Moving Forward

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 interpreted as a criticism of the office or the people who work there. In fact, I remain fully supportive of law enforcement and deeply appreciative of their service to Kootenai County.

At the same time, as your County Commissioner, I have responsibilities that include oversight and approval of county budgets, including those involving the Sheriff’s Office. While I have always approached both responsibilities with integrity and professionalism, I recognize that some may perceive a conflict between the two roles. In public office, perception matters, and removing distractions that could undermine public trust is simply the right thing to do.

My decision was made to reinforce confidence in the independence of both the Board of County Commissioners and the Sheriff’s Office. Each has an important and distinct role in county government, and both function best when the public can be assured decisions are being made objectively and transparently.

Now that this matter has been addressed, I believe it is time for us to move forward and refocus our attention where it belongs: making Kootenai County stronger than ever.

Our County continues to grow rapidly, bringing both opportunities and challenges. Citizens expect their elected officials to work together responsibly, solve problems, support public safety, manage taxpayer dollars wisely, and preserve the quality of life that makes Kootenai County a special place to live. That work is too important to be overshadowed by unnecessary controversy or political distraction.

I remain committed to working cooperatively with Sheriff Norris, my fellow commissioners, county staff, and community leaders to address the issues that matter most to our residents. We may not always agree on every issue, but we can and should remain focused on serving the public with professionalism, mutual respect and – of course – accountability.

The people of Kootenai County deserve leadership that prioritizes progress over division and solutions over distractions. That is exactly where my focus remains.

Bruce E. Mattare

Kootenai County Commissioner

P.S. Here is the letter I gave the Sheriff on May 7 along with the credentials.