Comments on: Land Board Defends Private Venture

By: idahokid

idahokid — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:29:19 +0000

Although it is felt not to encourage government to be in competition with private enterprise, I guess the answer is in the eye of the beholder. If I were an owner of a storage facility I would be incensed that our state was in competition with me and not playing on a level field, as they do not have a lot of the same costs associated with land ownership. As a private citizen taxpayer, on the surface it sounds like a good deal, but I can’t remember a governmental agency running a business such as this anywhere but into the ground…… (at tax payers’’ expense) If you’re interested in knowing the full equation of this purchase by the land board, follow the money backwards……

By: JamesBond

JamesBond — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 04:37:07 +0000

When can we anticipate the Land Board’s entry into the fast food franchise business? Or maybe gas convenience stores? Could they possibly buy the right to re-open Ralphs Toys and Hobbies? I loved that place. What about Nordstroms? We need one of those in Boise. Come on, Land Board!!!

By: Clancy

Clancy — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 20:04:01 +0000

We keep talking about an advantage but no one has put up actual rental rates.

Here are rates found via web or phone call for storage facilities in the area. If there was an option for non-climate controlled, that rate was used below. 10’x10′ was the most common size eventhough Affordable does not currently have any available.

Storage Business Location 10’x10′ Monthly Rate
Affordable Storage- Maple Grove $50
Boise Self Storage- Orchard/Overland $100
Idaho Self Storage- Fairvew $75
Access Boat & RV- Amity $60
Stor-It Self Storage- Maple Grove $54
StoragePLUS Self Storage- Victory $69

Average throwing out the high and low- $64.50

Affordable is on the low end of rates but was probably that way before the state acquired it. Does the state have plans to raise rates?

Rod- All are listed on the Idaho Department of Lands website. http://www.idl.idaho.gov/LandBoard/index_lb.html#bene

By: Rod in SE Boise

Rod in SE Boise — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:07:11 +0000

Would Mr. Bacon provide us a complete list of the 14 beneficiaries?

By: serendipity

serendipity — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:02:30 +0000

“Not only does endowment land earn income for state institutions, it creates jobs for private industry.”

Ok, WHAT jobs??? Would our energetic Guardian leader consider asking them to itemise the kinds and numbers of jobs created by these Land Board operations, say, between 2007 and 2010(to make it easier and relevant to today)?

By: Fiona

Fiona — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 02:47:36 +0000

How does a private individual compete with a government entity? There was no mention of any sales, income or property taxes paid by the “investment” business trusts outined by Mr. Bacon.

The single proprietor who gets stuck paying all the taxes stated above and probably more can’t compete with this lopsided deal.

If they do pay all the taxes a private operator enjoys then the deal is on a level playing field. Nowhere did Mr. Bacon say this was the case.