I agree! Our “leaders” consistently claim we have the best “livable” city. But if they truly feel that way then why are they allowing BSU to tear down entire neighborhoods. Or better yet St.Lukes to do the same or giving every piece of bare downtown land to develop to the developer from Utah.

Not to be too sarcastic (knowing that sarcasm is a virtually unknown quantity at the Boise Guardian) but I’m thinking that makes about as much sense as keeping your kids out of elementary school to avoid the cost of College.

You will be encouraged to know that at least part of your desire for zero growth will be realized. Even though the population is on pace to double in the timeframe contained in the article our transportation infrastructure will likely grow only somewhere in the area of 30%. I’m not trying to make any kind of case for a drastic tax increase. Hardly as the current ACHD Commission will not authorize that. What I am saying is that with current revenue formulas and sources we will see a consistent decline in funds available for new construction and capital projects. The cost of maintenance for our current infrastructure grows every year creating a curve that points downward. No, developer impact fees for new development do not even try to keep pace with new growth. Instead they provide a temporary fix by providing new residential roads and, at the same time creating new maintenance costs in the future, not covered by the growth of property taxes brought about by New development, at least under current tax rates.

There are some ways to mitigate the astronomic costs of maintaining the main east/west corridors in the valley but I’m not sure that many here care about common sense solutions in favor of pointing fingers at others.

I would, however certainly entertain doing a joint editorial to discuss them.

EDITOR NOTE–As always, you are welcome to “editorial space.” Your agency (ACHD) is in the unenviable position to react to the decisions other politicos, much like the schools where bonds and overrides are commonplace.

Kent Goldthorpe: Please don’t paint us all with the same brush.

So COMPASS is really saying, “COMPASS is doing a bad job”.

Typical bureaucratic waste.

COMPASS – 35 board members. Much like the Valley Regional Transit – 28 board members.

When was the last time you heard of a group of that many politicians effectively managing anything?

“but I’m not sure that many here care about common sense solutions in favor of pointing fingers at others.” -Goldthorpe

Says VOLUMES about the personalities on ACHD.

Growth does not just somehow happen because we wish for it. Growth is tied to growth in energy supplies, and migration.
America’s energy supplies peaked in 1970, and have trended down ever since, barring the blip caused by the failed shale-oil scheme. So, America is now dependent on the growth in global energy supplies, via resource theft. Look at the projected growth in world energy supplies and you will realize that growth is over, and contraction is about to begin. Have you seen the Baltic Dry Index recently!! The worlds container ships are currently all at port, nothing is moving across the oceans!
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-01-11/nothing-moving-baltic-dry-crashes-insiders-warn-commerce-has-come-halt
There is the problem of immigration from less desirable areas like California and the Midwest, but closing the borders would cure that problem. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

People, if you agree to a 15% beer tax we’ll get you an NFL team! Mayor the tax never goes away, so after the new domed stadium developers are paid you have an outrageous tax windfall… and empty stadium.

It’s about shifting what is traditionally a developer’s risk onto the taxpayer. They want the middleman’s inevitable profit, but want the local governments to take the risk for THEIR development ideas. This way they make money even if the projects are a flop. It’s an expanded version of the old ‘talk the mayor into a new publicly funded stadium so we can profit from the land sale and construction cost’.

Might I point out an increased population automatically results in increased tax and fee revenue… unless they are not taxing the developers enough… or at all?

Mr. Goldthrope, it’s a great time of year to clean up the trash along nearly all of your roadways. It’s visible and accessible now since the weeds and water are low. Workers won’t suffer heat stress either. Might straighten up and replace signage. Overlooked broken sidewalks, curb & gutter, potholes, and protruding manholes are made visible by frost heaves and can be marked for replacement too.

Considering the number of injuries, deaths, and vehicle damage resulting from ACHD’s failure to make the winter roads safe before the morning commute, I’m thinking all of us will get an insurance premium increase. Thank god these guys are so diligent about chip-seal… maybe they can pray about how to clear ice before 7 am.

Y -22

Team 17 is not a reliable source.

Nor do they represent all of voters of District 17.