Comments on: CCDC Seeks Expansion Despite Statewide Opposition

By: boisecynic

boisecynic — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:59:19 +0000

The 8th and Main property is now in private hands. CCDC and the City of Boise have nothing to do with it now.

Exactly what CCDC properties are falling into disrepair because no one is allowed to use them?

EDITOR NOTE–For clarification there is a difference between CCDC OWNED properties and parcels within the CCDC urban renewal district. Those owned by CCDC generate NO TAXES, those within the district are taxed at the usual rate, but revenues go to CCDC.

By: dog

dog — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:42:10 +0000

How much tax revenue does the Eastman building HOLE generate? Fix the HOLE first, talk expansion later.
Many of the CCDC properties in Downtown Boise will fall into such disrepair because no one is allowed to use them, they will be worth only the land they sit on. An example are the empty buildings on 8th Street/BODO.

By: ya right

ya right — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:47:33 +0000

I have an idea, how about we have all the “churches” that own property in prime real estate areas start paying property taxes?

EDITOR NOTE–Don’t forget those “non-profit” hospitals that dominate our economy.

By: boisecynic

boisecynic — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:13:12 +0000

May I remind everyone that the Republican stacked Idaho Supreme Court just last November ruled in favor of Urban Renewal.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2009/11/28/989264/idaho-supreme-court-ruling-could.html

By: David Zarkin

David Zarkin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:38:47 +0000

Otter is a Simplot relative so what does he care about widows and orphans. I love this debate. And the Republicans are the supporters of urban renewal. How’s that for a twist. In Minnesota, the Republicans don’t care what goes on in the urban area. Their constituency is in bib overalls.

EDITOR NOTE–Butch is no longer part of the family and the Repubs are against UR.

By: Dr Spiegelvogel

Dr Spiegelvogel — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:23:28 +0000

Could someone walk me through how revenues generated by a UR agency are diverted from the cities coffers.

Wouldn’t the UR’s revenue be in addition to a city’s tax revenue?

EDITOR NOTE– Just as the post explains. ALL TAXES on improvements and appreciated value go to the UR agency and for the duration of the district (currently 24 yrs max) all of the levying authorities forgo their share of taxes whether they like it or not. It is grossly unfair since neither the taxing authorities or the public have any voice in the matter.

By: cyclops

cyclops — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:42:55 +0000

We can “bitch and moan” all day. The problem is that these jerks (CCDC) were started by city hall and are still the go to group for “plausible deniability” for the mayor and city council! Sure, it’s a lousy idea to start a new UR district, yet everyone at city hall seems to receive a pass from the citizens!

By: boisecynic

boisecynic — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:26:49 +0000

Abuses of Urban Renewal Agencies? Tax revenue has been spent to subsidize suburban expansion for decades. Where’s your outrage over that?

Not one of you has yet come up with an accounting of what the current urban renewal districts cost you let alone what the new one will. Instead you use appeal to emotion scare tactics.

Remember, any new businesses or residents attracted to the area will still pay sales taxes, gas taxes, alcohol taxes, income taxes, registration fees and driver’s license fees.

EDITOR NOTE–Cynic, there is just so much outrage to go around! The GUARDIAN has made it clear we favor a VOTE of the people when it comes to UR funding. We favor the same thing when it comes to annexation against the will of the people being annexed as well as those of us who have to provide services to the “newcomers.”

It is the politicos who don’t want our voices heard. It was the politicos who mucked up the ownership of the Fairview area purchasing two sites for a police station in a flood plain and then screwing up the trade deal with the Docs for a private hospital that never happened. Even the rock wall is now a doggie kennel!

By: Rod in SE Boise

Rod in SE Boise — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:34:38 +0000

We need to get the government to stop subsidizing the lifestyles of the rich with oppressive taxes on the poor and middle class.

Governor Otter: Stop collecting taxes from me and giving the money to people like the late JR Simplot and Steve Appleton, who make enough on their own.

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:43:30 +0000

Let’s all hope the Republican dominated legislature can actually do something to curb the abuses of Urban Renewal Agencies in Idaho.

Last session, 2010, the legislature turned the task over to CCDC and their attorney Ryan Armbruster. The effort wasn’t even a disguised effort to widen the powers of UR agencies. IT was blatant “fox in the hen house” piece of legislation.

UR agencies impact every county taxpayer where they exist and should therefore have voter oversight and approval of:

1. Formation of UR agencies

2. Board members standing for countywide election with defined terms of office.

3. No public legacy buildings constructed with UR funds without a vote of the people.

4. Debt instruments mirror the requirements of the Idaho Constitution Article 8 sec.3.

Urban Renewal has become the tool of choice by Mayors and City Councils all over Idaho to circumvent voter oversight of how property taxes get spent. People need to understand it is a massive shift of property taxes into the hands of a few people having no voter oversight.

Voters no longer get to vote up or down large capital budget projects in their cities due to UR laws of Idaho.