Kobe Bryant might have created an inconvenience in Eagle County, or at least a new form of entertainment, but his criminal case is not draining the county coffers, Eagle County Administrator Jack Ingstad says.

"We've had calls from worried taxpayers," said Jack Ingstad, "and we want to set the record straight. The impact of this case is insignificant, despite media reports or rumors to the contrary. We have a responsibility to make certain people have the facts."

The impact of the Bryant case on the budget is and will be insignificant in view of anticipated revenues and funding responsibilities, Ingstad said. "In a $100 million annual budget - which has more than $40 million in reserves - this matter is a drop in our budget bucket."

He said the county has spent $30,000 to date on the case.

"To put it in perspective, this is a county that just spent $1 million to install artificial turf on a recreation field," Ingstad said. "We run one of the busiest airports in Colorado. Thirty thousand dollars has very little impact."

"The county has been and continues to be financially healthy," said Eagle County Commissioner Michael Gallagher.