Penny Polls Summary (Spring-Summer, 2026)
As part of the Kootenai County Comprehensive Plan Update and Parks and Waterways Plan, penny polls were conducted at community events in Harrison, Worley, and Spirit Lake, as well as at the Kootenai County Fair during the Summer of 2026.
Above: Penny Poll Engagement in Spirit Lake
Comprehensive Plan Penny Poll Results Participants were asked, “What would you prioritize for the future of Kootenai County?” and were given eight pennies to distribute among eight priorities shown in Figure 1. Participants could place all eight pennies toward one priority or distribute them across multiple priorities. A total of 6,298 pennies were collected, representing approximately 787 participants. Planning for responsible growth received the most support with 1,027 pennies, followed closely by protecting open space and water resources with 990 pennies and preparing for wildfire, flooding, and emergency response with 968 pennies. Supporting living-wage jobs and local businesses received 756 pennies, while the remaining priorities received between 612 and 659 pennies. The results show that participants placed the greatest emphasis on planning for growth while protecting the County’s natural resources and preparing for natural hazards and emergencies. At the same time, every priority received substantial support, showing that participants identified a range of issues that should be considered as the County plans for the future. These results will help inform goals and policies developed through the Comprehensive Plan Update and will be considered alongside other community input collected throughout the planning process.
Above: Graph showing answers to question, “What would you prioritize for the future of Kootenai County?”
Parks and Waterways Penny Poll Results
Participants were also asked, “What parks and waterways investments should be prioritized in Kootenai County?” For this activity, participants received five pennies to distribute among the five priorities shown in Figure 2, with the option to concentrate their pennies on one priority or spread them across multiple priorities. Across the 2026 engagement events, 3,353 pennies were collected, representing approximately 671 participants. Protecting natural areas and shorelines stood out as the top priority, receiving 949 pennies. The next three priorities were much more closely grouped, with increasing water access receiving 646 pennies, improving parks and playgrounds receiving 631, and expanding trails and pathways receiving 627. Expanding recreation opportunities received 500 pennies. The results point to protection of natural areas and shorelines as a clear community priority, while also showing similar levels of interest in improving access and existing recreation infrastructure.
Above: Graphic depicting answers to, “What parks and waterways investments should be prioritized in Kootenai County?”
Want to learn more about Kootenai County’s Comprehensive Plan Update and Parks and Waterways Plan? Visit https://keepingkootenai.com/comp-plan/