Comments on: Ada Commishes Hold Line On Spending

By: JIMV

JIMV — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:39:04 +0000

I have never had the privilege of living under a responsible city government. ALL have grabbed as much money as possible, though the exact mechanism is always different. I figure my actual property tax paid on the actual value of my home jumped a good 20% this year, almost entirely due to decreasing home values and undiminished government greed.

By: JIMV

JIMV — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:25:22 +0000

“EDITOR NOTE–Your TAX bill is a combined LEVY of city, county, ACHD, schools, and any other taxing district you may live within. They are allowed to raise their annual BUDGET by a max of 3%–regardless of the value. For the most part local governments will simply increase the levy to take care of their budget needs. (levies have not yet been set anywhere)”

I still do not understand this…They can raise their BUDGET by 3% regardless of home values. OK, but the increase has to come from tax dollars and that number is based on home values…they are not divorced from each other…

You seem to be saying the taxing entity can increase taxes on individual taxpayers in an unlimited manner regardless of their homes value. If that was the case, why bother with a 3% cap??

It seems the ‘cap’ only works to control government when property values are increasing…when they fall the taxing entities ‘restraint’ translates in actual massive tax increases on property of far lower value.

While my actual tax bill has only risen around 5%…the total tax is now based on a far lower home value making the effect a massive tax increase..

It is like saying…last year you made $100K and your income tax was 20K but this year we want $22K from you even though you only made $50K…a massive tax increase…

EDITOR NOTE–You got it right Jim! When property VALUES were artificially high the tax “as a percentage of value” was very low–that’s how Boise made the list of “business friendly communities, best place to live, etc.” Today we would be way way down on those lists because the percentage has essentially risen by the amount the property value has dropped. Your comparison to income tax is spot on.

Boise and Nampa took the maximum increase allowed. See the ACHD story above.

By: Alan

Alan — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:54:34 +0000

Dave…Just what would have made you happy? You find fault and suggest abuse of power for NOT raising taxes? What would you have said if they (there are 3) did raise taxes. You have a personal grudge. Grind it somewhere else.

By: erico49

erico49 — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:31:51 +0000

dave.. nobody cares about your opinion on ada county because you don’t live here

By: Dave in Emmett

Dave in Emmett — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 04:49:16 +0000

Dear Boise Guardian Readers and Dave,

For the record, I just want to say that MY post are MY opinion. I could be wrong.

(Although in this case I rather doubt it.)

Be Well,

Dave in Emmett

By: JIMV

JIMV — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 03:49:44 +0000

I was a bit confused this year. My homes value dropped from 198K to 167K, or around 15%…My tax seems to have gone up…If the most they can raise my taxes is 3% and my value dropped by over 15%, should I have not seen a drop in tax of 12%?

EDITOR NOTE–Your TAX bill is a combined LEVY of city, county, ACHD, schools, and any other taxing district you may live within. They are allowed to raise their annual BUDGET by a max of 3%–regardless of the value. For the most part local governments will simply increase the levy to take care of their budget needs. (levies have not yet been set anywhere)

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:34:38 +0000

Let’s face it property taxes stink! Property is a sitting duck for every government project imaginable. On the other hand sales taxes hits everyone in proportion to what they spend.

The attitude of taxing agencies they could care less if propery owners lose everything because someone will own the property an pay the taxes.

By: Dave in Emmett

Dave in Emmett — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:08:34 +0000

“For the first time, Commissioners have also chosen not to levy an amount allowed under state law for newly constructed properties never before appearing on the property tax roll.”

This is no surprise since Ms. Ullman’s brand new house is either finished or is about to be. It MUST be nice to be in a position where you can give yourself a tax break! Say, don’t they call that abuse of power or something? Prestidigitation at it’s finest. “Presto-change-o I don’t owe.” And that’s not funny, because it’s probably flippin’ true!

By: erico49

erico49 — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:36:40 +0000

emouse…Your revenue may have decreased, but it’s not due to the value of your house. Unless you are selling it has nothing to do with your cash flow.

By: Clancy

Clancy — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:27:27 +0000

I applaud the County for this action. Yes our property taxes have increase but that is a problem at the state level. The county has stayed within it’s budget. I only wish Boise City would take note, instead of spending the maximum allowable amount. I can’t believe the city doesn’t see the same down turn in the economy. The unemployment numbers should be a clear indicator to the city that we can not afford any tax increases. Budgets should follow increases in wages and decreases in unemployment rates, not the other way around. The city should not be increasing their budgets during these economic times. Shame on Dave B., Alan, Maryanne, Dave E.,TJ, Vern, and Elaine for approving such budgets. Budgets on the local and state level have followed the economy with the exception of Boise.