May 15, 2008
Property Tax Notices Coming Soon
We had a chat with the man everyone loves to hate, Ada Assessor Bob McQuade, about the tax assessment notices set to go out over the weekend.
He tells the GUARDIAN that overall values are nearly flat—a .5% increase. There were actually 44,000 residential properties showing a DECREASE in value, but 100,000 with an increase of some sort.
McQuade noted 1,300 homes showed INCREASES in value of more than 20% and 8,000 parcels remained unchanged.
What this means to all of us isn’t really much. Cities, Ada county, schools, the Highway District and about 60 other districts from library to mosquitos LEVY against the VALUE.
In short, they set their budgets each year and can only raise the budget by a max of 3%.
If the property value goes down, the levy percentage will increase.
The silver lining in the dark tax cloud is the Homeowners Exemption have gone up. This year it is 50% of the assessed value of both land and improvements up to a max of $100,938 that is tax free.
Posted by dave on May 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM
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May 14, 2008
Dare They Debate Sharon?
In a sound bite worthy of the World Wrestling Federation, former Ada County commissioner Sharon Ullman challenges her two primary opponents to a debate on the issues. She faces Steve Kimball and Jay Larsen in a three-way Republican primary.
In a press release she bemoans the lack of interest in the campaign and is open to any format, moderator, or location to offer the public an opportunity to “compare the candidates.”
Even the Daily Paper has refused to make an endorsement in that race. They note Ullman is smart and informed, but “doesn’t play well with others.” The others don’t attend commish meetings or understand the budget process.
Perhaps an “ultimate fighter” format in a caged arena with former Bronco broadcaster Paul J. Schneider doing the play-by-play would generate some interest?
Posted by dave on May 14, 2008 at 1:49 PM
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Where In The World Is Dave Bieter?
In case you missed Team Dave leader, Mayor Bieter, he has been at the nation’s capitol to accept a Wheaties box on behalf of Boise—once again we are in the national spotlight.
Here is the text of a press release from Team Dave along with a photo they provided.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Afterschool Alliance today honored Mayor David Bieter for his support of after school programs at the “Breakfast of Champions,” a gala event in Washington, D.C. Mayor Bieter was one of 17 individuals and four organizations from across the nation honored for their work on behalf of after school programs. As part of the award, Mayor Bieter was presented with an honorary Wheaties box featuring his likeness.
The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of after school programs and advocating for quality, affordable programs for all children. Mayor Bieter is in Washington, D.C. this week to attend the National League of City’s National City Afterschool Summit, which runs simultaneously and in partnership with Aftershool Alliance’s Afterschool for All Challenge.
The two events gather together mayors, city council members, school superintendents, school board presidents and other city and school leaders from across the nation to strengthen local efforts to build citywide systems of high-quality out-of-school time programs.
“I’m honored that an organization as important as the Afterschool Alliance saw fit to present me with this award,” said Mayor Bieter. “Since I was a boy I’ve had two goals for my life. The first was to be mayor of my hometown, and the second was to be a running back for the Green Bay Packers. I think the second is probably out of my reach, but it’s great to get my face on a Wheaties box anyway – especially if it means the City of Boise is doing good things for our young people. I look forward to continuing working with the Afterschool Alliance to champion after school activities for kids.”
Since taking office, Mayor Bieter has made significant advances in after school opportunities in the Boise area. He was instrumental in Boise joining the Idaho Afterschool Alliance and participating in the Afterschool Alliance’s national rally for afterschool, Lights On Afterschool. In 2006, Boise was selected to participate in the City Leaders Engaged in Afterschool Reform, or CLEAR Initiative, which allowed Boise to receive assistance and access to resources and expertise to expand learning opportunities for youth in the after school hours. Since becoming a CLEAR city, the mayor has formed the Mayor’s Council on Children & Youth; started After3, an online tool that provides citizens with ways to find after school programs; and launched the Mobile Recreation Van, which provides sports, arts, and other recreation activities to Title I schools and other underserved areas. Later this year, the city will also unveil two new Community Recreation Centers built within the Grace Jordan and Morley Nelson elementary schools that will provide after school activities for Boise’s youth.
The “Breakfast of Champions” is part of the seventh annual Afterschool for All Challenge which brings together hundreds of parents, educators, children, program directors and advocates from around the country for a series of events and meetings with Members of Congress. The 2008 Challenge is cosponsored by the National League of Cities and the Afterschool Alliance.
Posted by dave on May 14, 2008 at 12:05 PM
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May 12, 2008
Mayor Hotline May 3 to 9
The vast majority of the calls are regarding the foothills dog leash issue. We have included the entire record from the mayor’s office as a file—it is 17 pages long.
5/3/08
Tony Davis
Red Light Runners: The last 2 weeks people are running red lights like crazy. It’s pretty scary. I saw 4 or 5 on Fairview and Eagle Rd. They’re all over. Can this be policed harder?? It seems like ever since the aggressive driving commercial came on, drivers have gotten worse.
BPD
Action Taken: contacted
HERE IS THE ENTIRE TRANSCRIPT Download file
Posted by dave on May 12, 2008 at 7:05 PM
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Bikers Take Avimor Funds
Leave it to the GUARDIAN to take something as mundane as “Bike Week” and turn it against the likes of foothills developer Avimor. We got a plea from the bike advocates as follows:
Dear Mr. Guardian:
I am hoping you can make your reader base aware (just in case they’re not) that today is the start of the 6th Annual Boise Bike Week.
It runs Monday through Saturday. There is a wide variety of activities, workshops and events; most are after hours. The schedule can be seen here.
BIKE WEEK SCHEDULE
We can’t help but note with a certain degree of irony the Grand Finale celebration at the Band shell is sponsored by none other than Avimor - the “planned community” that is outside any reasonable bike-commuting distance from the area’s employment centers, shopping, and entertainment. What is Avimor’s interest in Boise Bike Week? To get valley residents off Highways 44 and 55?
To be fair, Avimor is trying to sell their area as a place for mountain bikers to dodge dog droppings, hikers, and horseback riders. They also want to buy the affections of their worst critics…and a close examination of their ad agency staff will reveal at least one avid mountain biker.
Posted by dave on May 12, 2008 at 5:05 PM
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May 11, 2008
Boise Needs A True Farmers Market
Boise is awash in “surplus land” publicly owned, but unused for any public purpose. City officials offer hollow claims about selling the land to fund other projects, but they just can’t “gitterdone.”
The GUARDIAN—in response to a reader’s challenge—suggests a farmer’s market be made available immediately on the land at 30th and Fairview/Main. It is an ideal site for such a venture and it’s a “green” idea that is “sustainable” and if done right will have a small “carbon footprint” while being “healthwise.”
There is plenty of space for parking, easy access from all parts of town via the connector, proximity to the greenbelt for bikers and pedestrians, and it would encourage sale and consumption of locally grown food.
Producers could easily back into spaces and sell from their pick-up or van, erect awnings for shade and rain protection. We could have a “county fair” every weekend—just like they do throughout the world. If it appears to be a success, we could build a permanent facility—funded by bonds approved at an election of the citizens. There would be no major cost to taxpayers, since rent would be charged to merchants using the stalls.
There is nothing unique about the open market concept. It is done all over the world as evidenced by photos (below) the GUARDIAN has made at just a few places we have visited. The difference between an honest to goodness farmer’s market and the current Saturday market would be access to ALL citizens of Boise and the Valley and not just a promotion for downtown Boise merchants and rental payments to the CCDC.
Jump in with your ideas—anything beats what Team Dave and the current group of councilors has been able to accomplish with their land speculation during the past 4 years.
Posted by dave on May 11, 2008 at 7:19 PM
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New Leaders At North Ada Group
The activist folks of the North Ada County Foothills Association have been quite a voice in Ada land use issues and that voice may get louder.
NACFA is a citizen association founded in 2002 by those concerned about growth pressure in the foothills north of Eagle. We know some of them have growthophobe sentiments.
Long time Boise finance guru and lobbyist Steve Purvis (retired) joins Kathy Pennisi to co-chair the group.
John Petrovsky, a found member has been appointed as a volunteer Commish on the county Planning Zoning Commission.
Posted by dave on May 11, 2008 at 6:19 PM
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May 9, 2008
GUARDIAN On City Land Speculation
The GUARDIAN talked to Eyewitness 2 News a couple weeks ago about Boise City’s land speculation deals. To be fair, most of these parcels were acquired by previous administrations, but Team Dave can’t seem to let go.
Reporter Vanessa Brown did the story for sweeps week—we probably didn’t help their ratings much—but the piece does bring to light the fact the city owns hundreds of acres of land that is off the tax rolls and does not currently serve a public purpose.
Here is the link to the story about CITY LAND SPECULATION. Click on the video icon beneath the photo and Brown’s name to see the taped report.
Posted by dave on May 9, 2008 at 3:00 PM
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May 7, 2008
We Have A HOT Deal For You!
Looks like Idaho is about to get scammed once again by slick business types who have the ear of media and politicos.
This time it’s an outfit called Areva which is in the energy business. They got the obligatory color drawing on the front page of the Daily Paper and endorsements from state and federal politicians to build a $2 billion uranium enrichment plant near Idaho Falls.
Now all they need is about a hundred permits, $2 billion in financing, land, local zoning approval, and a market for enriched uranium fuel rods to power nuclear reactors, while the nation struggles with disposal of hot nuke waste that could be used to make bombs.
Locals in Idaho Falls are questioning the hazards of the proposed facility and seem eager to hear “the rest of the story.”
The GUARDIAN did a brief number crunch with the Bonneville Assessor. If the plant truly turned out to be worth $2 billion and it paid its fair share of taxes, it would mean a 41% DECREASE in local property taxes. As it now stands, the taxable value is capped at $400 million. At best it could contribute about 8% of the county revenues. Total taxable value in Bonneville County is currently $4.8 billion.
The Daily Paper ran the story as a “done deal,” saying the company WILL open the plant near Idaho Falls—not may, could, wants to, proposes, but WILL.
Here some examples of other highly promoted proposals which never made it:
ASSORTED BILL AGEE schemes including the Texas TGV rail line, the Honolulu monorail.
ROCKET LAUNCH site also near Idaho Falls promoted by Lockheed with a giant mock up of a space ship they towed around the country hustling local politicos.
THE DEFUNCT “WPPS” nuke plant that cost millions and never opened.
SATURN AUTO PLANT. Idaho wanted to put it at Kellogg to create jobs for unemployed silver miners…never mind GM would have had to ship parts and supplies a thousand miles to the wilds of Idaho and also ship finished cars as far.
SUPER COLLIDING SUPERCONDUCTOR. Another scheme that was shopped all over the nation. The GUARDIAN noticed everywhere we traveled the locals were “in the running.”
MEDITERRANEAN MOVIE SET and “planned community” at Blacks Creek east of Boise. What an idea location for a seaside community in the desert of Idaho.
MOVIE SOUND STAGE and theme park at Nampa. Sweetwater Junction never got going either, despite press conferences and headlines.
BOISE TOWER and a dozen other hotels, offices, convention centers, and condo projects.
MICRON PLAYED the political game of “we will put you on the list if you give us a break.” They got the break and built new facilities—in China, Singapore, and Virginia, NOT idaho.
Meanwhile the politicos still gush about all the jobs these projects “will create.” They seem to forget the humiliation of Albertson’s tax deal, the tax cap on Micron—the largest non-profit company in the state, Hollywood movie production rebates, and the list goes on.
For the record, the GUARDIAN actually favors nuclear power as a clean energy source, but it is absolute INSANITY to create more waste without establishing a permanent safe repository for spent fuel rods.
Areva, like any other company should pay its way. If they can meet the safety standards, provide the financing, pay their taxes, offer a safe workplace and good wages—welcome to Idaho.
Posted by dave on May 7, 2008 at 2:14 PM
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