Comments on: Depot Remains “Private”

By: Guido

Guido — Sun, 02 Oct 2005 01:47:19 +0000

Please clarify. If the combined “total” police and fire budgets are approximately $69.7 million, how does that equal 53% of of a $390 million “citywide” budget? Presumably, both police and fire are not funded 100% from the general fund. The $69.7 million figure should more accurately be described as being approximately 18% of the City’s “citywide” budget (69.7 divided by 390 equals 17.87%).

Ed Note–When the city wants to sound big, show their net worth, or debt as a precent of overall budget etc. they roll out the big $390 million figure. That includes the operation of the airport and sewer systems which are paid almost entirely by user fees and have nothing to do with the general fund budget. These are called enterprise funds. The REAL annual budget is $130-140 million known as the “operating budget” and it more accurately reflects what it costs to run the city. Your percentages word out accurately using the “honest numbers.

By: Treva Hamilton

Treva Hamilton — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 04:10:38 +0000

I agree with you that light rail is probably not going to happen in this valley during my lifetime. However, I have really hoped that interstate rail would return to the valley. When my brother attended college in Portland in the late 50’s and 60’s he always traveled by train. Going to the Boise Depot to see him off was a great experience. There is nothing I would enjoy more than the opportunity to travel this country by train and to see our depot as a vital part of this transportation system again. Air travel is no longer fun and driving across country may be enjoyable to a few car enthusiasts, but I want to see America up front and personal. Those of you who have bought a Eurorail pass will know what I mean. I want to see a revival of the Depot as it once was – not a private party place but a transportation hub.

By: M3

M3 — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 19:23:14 +0000

If it ain’t light rail, it just ain’t sexy to Elaine and her cronies.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 02:47:39 +0000

While we waited for the Challenger to arrive, we enjoyed looking at the names on the donor bricks around the Depot…and being locked out of the Depot made me glad I never bought one.

By: Tam

Tam — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 11:24:40 +0000

This one will take council intervention. I believe the agreement or at least understanding when the Parks department assumed responsibility for the Depot was that they would pretty much shut it down except for weddings, receptions, galas, etc. Jim Hall will never give a straight answer and in fact has never given a straight answer. He is one whose nine lives should nearly be used up, I would think. After the tiger incident, he should have been on about life eight. There is no reason the facility should not be open six days a week (at least Tues-Sat) to the general TAXPAYING public. This is a no brainer…but sometimes even that is too much to ask.