EDITOR NOTE–Seems odd as well that a resolution with specific language was also drafted presumably by the legal department and apparently without council knowledge, since they are on record with concerns about public discussion and “potential conflicts of interest.”

To see how much your property tax has gone up go here;

http://www.adacountyassessor.org/propsys/HelpIndex.jsp

On the left of screen, go to “Property Search” and click on
Search by address.

On this page click “I Accept the Terms of Use” then “Submit”
on bottom of screen.

On this screen type in your address (example:100 W Main St)
change year to “2008” then Click “Submit”.

On this screen your address and parcel number should be on top
click on the “Parcel Number” it will be an R and 10 digits or an
S with 10 digits.

On this screen you should see your property information and
it may have a photograph of your house. There are 4 tabs above
the photograph, click the middle one “Tax Districts”.

This page will show the taxing districts and their mill rates.
These Levy’s are what you pay in property taxes for each
district.

Write down your levy for your city.

Now on the top of the page change the tax year to “2009” and
click the tab “Change Year”.

You are now seeing what your levy’s are for this year. You will
see that your city levy “property tax” has increased.

If you live in Boise your city property tax has been increased about
14%……………………………………..over last year’s.

EDITOR NOTE–We doubt the dollar figure has increased that much, if at all. You are correct the LEVY has increased, but the assessed VALUE has declined in most cases, leaving the total tax about the same in dollars. You are absolutely correct the LEVY has increased the tax as a percentage of value. This will no longer put Boise on the “Top 10” lists of places to do business.

During the boom, total tax was about what it is today, but property was inflated nearly double today’s value in some cases, making Boise appear to be a wonderfully cheap place to live and do business.

I’m also fiscally conservative (don’t like us spending money we don’t have… learned that from my good parents). I’m also transparency-in-government. And reluctantly pro-democracy. (I’m ALWAYS right… but the majority should have a voice, I s’pose. nudge-nudge, wink-wink.)

Just put it before the voters. Let’s see if the majority are “progressive” or “luddite.”

(An obvious question arises in this particular situation… is supporting a $60 million 19th-century transportation mode really “progressive”? My head starts hurting… but I bet that Wheelchair Guy could explain it all.)

http://noboisestreetcar.blogspot.com

It’s amazing and the most comprehensive one-stop shop I’ve seen explaining why this trolley is CRAZINESS.

One problem: how does someone who wants to do something about it and have a private conversation with you get in touch with you??

(Maybe you could at least post here or on yr blog some kind of email address –even if it’s not yr personal one– that you will check.)

A few of us want to get with you ASAP.

(I’ll check back on this boise guardian comment site here and your blog to see if you’ve got a contact email or phone posted. And suggest in yr comments on this subject from now on, you start posting a contact email. Thx!)

TIME FOR ACTION!

Keep an eye out for more shenanigans in the dark of night.