KRDC owes city hefty water payment

The Kootenai Business Park Industrial District owes the city almost $30,000 for water and sewer payments but city officials likely won't see any of the money any time soon, if at all.

Instead, officials say a land swap may have to be negotiated between the city and the business park, which occupies the former Stimson Mill site.

"We're not going to let them go," said councilmember Walter McElmurry, who also supervises the city water plant.

He said the city is eyeing land for trade or seeking compensation from grant money coming to Kootenai River Development Council, the managing organization for the business park.

According to mayor Tony Berget, the development council is the only entity not making an attempt at repaying.

"Everyone else has to pay their water bill," he said.

Like Scott Beagle, a volunteer firefighter and middle school teacher who has seen his water rates rise while his water pressure drops.

"Why did it get so far? Why are we not seeking legal action against these entities?" Beagle asked, referring to the business park and the Kootenai Heritage Council. The city loaned hundreds of thousands of dollars to the heritage council and the money hasn't been returned.

"Because they know they can get away with it," Beagle said.

That $600,000 should come back to the city, where there are lots of projects and lots of people needing money, and where it could be recycled and redirect it to new projects, he said.

Why isn't the KRDC paying its water and sewer bills?

"Because it isn't correct. Why should we pay $850 a month for a meter that we own, that the city doesn't even own?" said KRDC Executive Director Paul Rumelhart.

"The city loses 50 percent of water they treat. What are they paying for that?

We're a government entity, they're a government entity. The water that's been used down there is water that's gone through the system and leaked out.

So why are they singling out the industrial district. We're the only entity with a fire suppression meter in town."

The city has shut off the business park's water supply. Water now comes in by separate pumps at the site.

The city has entered periodic negotiation to get the money paid off, said council member Lee Bothman, who also sits on the city's water committee.

But those negotiations aren't restricted to financial compensation. And a land swap won't increase the weak water pressure coming into Scott Beagle's home near Idaho Avenue.

"I chose to build a new house in the city because I wanted to be close to the fire department and to help support the city. I want to see a five, 10 or a 15-year plan to rectify this situation," Beagle said.