From the Kootenai County Assessor
By Bela Kovaks
This retracts, corrects and supersedes my prior post. Additional reports have come in today. Multiple individuals reported identical statements yesterday. Yesterday, March 10, 2026, I was informed that a public meeting took place that same day, that my opponent, Allyson Knapp, had made false statements about me. I was told that she had allegedly said that: (1) the County attorney was “barred” from working with me; (2) that I had filed multiple lawsuits; and (3) it was alleged that the funds budgeted to hire appraisers had “disappeared” hinting at some type of misappropriation.
Such allegations (if they were made) are all false.
First, Idaho State Law, requires the County Prosecuting Attorney to represent each elected official – see I.C. § 31-2604(1); and I.C. § 31-2604(3) – see this link: https://legislature.idaho.gov/…/T31CH26/SECT31-2604/
Second, there was only one lawsuit that was filed in the official capacity as the Assessor. The elected County Prosecutor and assigned Civil Deputy Attorney both said that outside counsel would be needed. Four judges agreed and awarded attorney costs.
Third, funding approved for hiring appraisers remains in the budget and cannot be spent on anything else. Applicants have withdrawn after interviews. There has been no misappropriation.
Don’t believe the falsehoods – Visit this page to learn the truth: https://bela4assessor.com/issues-faqs/
Also, please check out the County Assessor’s webpage at the link below to see the latest news and developments about the work I’m doing to keep assessments fair and equitable: