Comments on: Ada County Buys Foreclosed Subdivision

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 15 May 2012 04:47:52 +0000

It is becoming quite clear we will never see the taxpayer’s two million dollars. Buying this land is just another example of SHARON ULLMAN telling the taxpayers she is the one in power and control and she could care less what any of us have to say or if she breaks the rules. This is only two of the very reckless decisions she has made in office. If we do not get out there and vote to elect a new commissioner, Ada County will likely be bankrupt one day also. This is our time to be heard. PLEASE VOTE AND BRING YOUR NEIGHBORS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

By: Paul M

Paul M — Sun, 13 May 2012 00:10:07 +0000

I wonder if Sharon will give as much grief to Rick for missing time off for surgery as she did Vern.

By: Clancy

Clancy — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:58:10 +0000

It would be interesting to find how many acres are set aside as a conservation easement. From Ada County Soil and Water Conservation District:

“These include riparian easements on portions of Dry Creek and Currant Creek within the Echanove Ranch Estates development and an additional easement on Currant Creek in Red Hawk Estates development. Additionally, Ada County has identified the Ada SWCD as the primary entity for working with Planned Community (PC) Developers to fulfill open space requirements through conservation easements and active management.”
http://www.adaswcd.org/easements/easements.html

Did the County work with ASWCD in this acquisition?

EDITOR NOTE–No consultation or collaboration. We checked with the district and they are a non-profit that manages easements after the fact.

By: Clippityclop

Clippityclop — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:44:16 +0000

Gotcha, Dave. But if preservation for all of Ada County is the goal, and speculation is off the table, I’ll happily pay the back taxes myself.

By: Clippityclop

Clippityclop — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:54:34 +0000

If this property is reverted to preservation status akin to that set aside by the Boise Foothills Levy, all is forgiven. The time is nigh to include the western foothills in a county-wide preservation levy. We need far flung subdivisions and planned communities in the foothills like we need a hole in our heads.

EDITOR NOTE–As a certified GROWTHOPHOBE I agree. However this looks like an ill advised move to speculate on land. The only way the county can recover anything is to sell it. We cannot find any prior discussion, demand, request, or authorization to purchase land that remained from a failed development.

By: IdahoCrystal

IdahoCrystal — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:25:13 +0000

Don’t they have a budget? Is there so much of a surplus that they have nearly a quarter mil just lying around waiting for auctions? If not, what got shorted to pay for this?

By: Bus Rider

Bus Rider — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:43:49 +0000

Now with Ullman as temporary board administrator, it’s a wonder worse hasn’t happened. Stay tuned for what the next couple days will bring.

http://www.adaweb.net/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Detail/mid/2832/itemid/227/Default.aspx

By: JJ

JJ — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:21:41 +0000

Let’s see what they do with the land, that will be the proof of the success or failure. BG should put a tickler on their calendar to check back with the county in a year and see what kind of return they have gotten on their investment.

By: Ronin

Ronin — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:03:21 +0000

sure wish I worked for the Idaho state government, so that I was free to do what ever I wanted whenever I wanted, from building my own home with wood from public lands, to buying the land with public money, and just out-right taking money that was collected through taxes ie: john bujak. What wonderful leaders we have here, I can see why people still block vote for republicans every election, they never cease to amaze. It is almost hilarious to see this debacle run itself into the ground.

By: chicago sam

chicago sam — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:33:38 +0000

So does the county get payed the back taxes out of the $240,000.
They may have gotten the property for almost nothing. Of course the property will now be exempt from taxes