RESPECT THE CULTURE was actually emblazoned on the tailgate of a small truck. It got us to thinking.

How many of the thousands of newcomers to Boise and Idaho in general come here to join in the lifestyle, rather than change it? Do folks come here to take advantage of cheap labor, cheap electricity, business “incentives,” or do they want to become Idahoans?

We would welcome your thoughts. When farms start growing houses, schools are overstuffed, the roads are insufficient for the traffic volume, and there aren’t enough jail cells, the culture changes.

The recent announcement of a Meta data center moving to Kuna would be great if the predicted 100 workers were from the ranks of Idaho unemployed. Whenever state or county governments offer any “incentives,” the beneficiary should post a bond to insure they pay for all the promised items like sewer, water, schools, roads, etc.

If not, we can expect a desert “State Government Campus-South” just like we have at the former H-P site on Chinden.

GROWTOHOBES stand by the policy of welcoming anyone who wants to locate a business here as long as they pay a fair wage and the same taxes the rest of us pay. Growth for the sake of growth is like cancer and it is expensive.

To further add salt to the wound, Kuna politicos are planning to create an urban renewal district in the desert. That means the city of Kuna, the schools, ACHD, and Ada County will receive NO TAX revenue on the $800 million building. It will be diverted to the urban renewal district.

Meanwhile local politico mothers and fathers work overtime to attract more population, cars, trains, planes, and buses through “incentives.” They want those of us who live here to finance their addictive habit.

As budget approval times approach for local governments, tax increases are coming and expansion of everything from schools to roads, coppers, city workers and traffic are imminent.

Those of us who have lived here and revere the lifestyle, weather, and culture of SW Idaho are an endangered species. In a nutshell we are being exploited by outside forces and have to pay the bill so developers and other “birds of prey” can flourish.

We often hear the cry, “We have been discovered and we can’t keep people from moving here!” True, but we shouldn’t have to PAY them to come here. Paylocity posted a testimonial on a chamber of commerce site which is worth noting:

“In Boise’s favor were state incentives like a Workforce Development Training Fund, a reimbursement program to help cover the costs of training and onboarding initiatives, and a Tax Reimbursement Incentive (TRI) of 28 percent for 15 years. TRI is an incentive available to new or existing Idaho companies that create 50 or more high-wage jobs in Idaho. Companies have the ability to receive a reimbursement on their payroll, sales and corporate income taxes up to 30 percent for a maximum of 15 years. TRI is awarded to companies that prove their stability and significant economic impact to the industry, community and state.”

Wouldn’t we ALL like to have a 28 percent tax kickback for 15 years?

To top it off, the land was formerly agricultural cropland. Meridian made it an urban renewal agency and none of the taxes on the multimillion dollar buildings go to schools, ACHD, the city or the county. Sadly, the scenario is repeated over and over.

In the annual budget competition between local governments to see who can offer the most “savings,” Ada County is this year’s winner. The commishes budget includes a $12M cut in property taxes. Don’t hold your breath because future budgets can “clawback” the foregone taxing authority. Just ask the Ada County Highway District.

ACHD is faced with dozens of needed road projects and they are exploring to use that clawback feature to add $7.5 million cash to their bank account. See this BoiseDev piece.

Boise City has approved a $276.2 million budget to include 44 new hires in various departments–because of growth. Officials predict a 29% tax hike.

All these new people and companies need a bigger airport with more flights. Alaska Airlines has a deal with the University of idaho to pay the carrier if their new route to Moscow-Pullman is not profitable. Also, we wonder about the “incentives” offered to airlines for new flight routes. Do they pay landing and gate fees like everyone else?

In summary, when local government works against the will of the citizens thinking they are “creating jobs” and “competing with other cities,” they are destroying our culture and a way of life that has been eroded almost to the point of destruction.

When growth is the number one concern of society it is counter- productive to encourage growth. The politicos have caused the price of housing to climb out of sight and then they strive to build some cheap housing to take care of the problem they themselves created.
They create that which they seek to escape.

Margaret Carmel at BOISEDEV has a detailed account.

Under former Commish Dianna Lachiondo, a plan was hatched to create a financial product called “certificates of participation” to finance jail construction. The newly elected commishes will either save up some cash or go to the voters–as the Idaho Constitution requires for permission to go into debt.

Lawyers claim the Idaho Supreme Court “blessed” the so-called certificate scheme in a ruling against Guardian editor David R. Frazier in favor of the Greater Boise Auditorium District.

The GBAD and jail issues are not at all similar. The auditorium expansion is owned by the CCDC urban redevelopment agency and leased back to the GBAD. CCDC is authorized to sell bonds without voter approval.

Under the plan nixed by the new commishes, the jail would have been a debt secured by taxpayer assets with no citizen approval.

Ironically, local governments keep approving new construction and attracting more businesses and population all the while complaining about overcrowding at the county jail, schools, and highways.

We don’t have a TRUMP TOWER in Boise, but if things go right for a former City Councilor we could have a “LUDWIG TOWER”.

Scot Ludwig, the former city councilor and CCDC member, is proposing to build a tall building in Idaho at 5th and Broad Streets. If approved, it could be 19 stories tall and at 235 feet a standout on the Boise skyline.

The price will be “upscale” at around $600 per square foot.

BOISE DEV has the official details of Ludwig’s proposal.

Here’s what the proposal calls for:

–44 condominium units, with most around 2,000 square feet. The top floor would feature two-story penthouse units.
–An elevator parking system. The building would include space for 192 cars, which would serve tenants in the building, as well as a building Ludwig partially owns next door. More on this below.
–An indoor/outdoor amenity level with yoga studio, fitness center, outdoor terrace and rentable guest suites.
–A series of four live/work units along the ground and second floors, facing 5th St.
–An exterior “cascading steps” feature would connect the 7th-floor amenity deck to a series of outdoor terraces above the live-work units.

The GUARDIAN has taken the liberty of offering a different view of the project than what the Planning and Zoning department will see and hear.

—Marketing slogan: “Luxury living for those who look down on their neighbors.”

—A Rubic Cube mechanical parking garage. We have remote meetings, robotic bank tellers, drones for everything from photography to SWAT shotguns, so why not mechanical garages for luxury cars. No doubt electric models will get special treatment. We envision onthly “rewards” if you can retrieve your vehicle in under 10 minutes. No pick ups allowed.

—Target market will be rich people willing to pony up $600 a sqft to view rooftops and endless urban sprawl.

—Tenants will be bankers, lawyers, and investors from the likes of Chicago, New York, and Miami who are tired of looking at Lake Michigan, the Statue of Liberty, and palm-lined Florida beaches. “Tiffany, if we are going to live in a city, let’s make it Boise!”

—Affordable housing” units are a MUST these days. They should sell for a mere $300 per sqft. Sort of like putting mobile homes on Warm Springs and skinny houses on the Harrison Blvd. median to show compassion.

—Barristas selling foo-foo latte drinks will have a chance to live on the lower floors above the garage and walk to work down two flights of stairs. They will have to make $50 per hour and coffee will be $20 a cup.

Don Day at BOISEDEV has a comprehensive story about the ongoing threat of losing the Boise Hawks unless the citizens pony up land or cash for a new stadium. Day’s story mentions the GBAD board met in executive session to hear the baseball pitch.

The GUARDIAN learned the official reason for the executive session was to discuss property acquisition near the Centre on the Grove. Somehow Greenstone and Ahlquist got included.

GBAD is funded with the hotel room tax revenues which are woefully lacking due to the COVID 19 crises. They have about $10 million in reserves, but there is no cash available for other investments and it is doubtful they would qualify for bond debt.

Once again the GUARDIAN favors an “Idaho Agricultural Heritage Park” on the fairgrounds land. It could be a destination theme park with strong educational background. We have have offered this to the politicos for at least 13 years and generally been ignored.

Fair Idea Ignored By Commishes

Idaho Ag Heritage Park Is Good Fit At Expo Idaho

Fairgrounds Perfect For Farm Theme Park

http://www.drfphoto.com/stock-photography/greenfield+village/

Under the plan, Gardner will receive CCDC urban renewal loans of $10.2 million for a 110 unit apartment building downtown with a single “affordable rent” apartment. Sounds like the other 109 units are not affordable.

A surprise YES vote came from Mayor Lauren McLean who said, “As mayor it is my job to do what is best for our citizens including the homeless community.” She went on to explain that even a single cheap apartment helped out, but more importantly the action paved the way for federal stimulus funds for Boise from the Trump government.

At an unrelated virtual city council meeting, McLean asked the councilors to approve funding for a “community printing press” for use by the Idaho Statesman. Councilor Lisa Sanchez supported the idea if at least 25% of the pressmen were minority trades people and half of the total were women. The press would be housed in the old Statesman building on Curtis Rd. which McClatchy has been unable to sell.

Elaine Clegg observed that with the current deadlines and the fact the Statesman is printed in Twin Falls, her sage comments about growth, connectivity, and environmental issues were “old news” and ignored by the time the paper was published. Jimmy Hallyburton offered to donate free bicycles to anyone wishing to deliver the Statesman.

Councilor Holly Woodings asked for more details on the proposal and mused aloud that she couldn’t understand why Sanchez wanted minority women to get covered in ink every day. Sanchez replied, “I didn’t think you would understand.”

The GUARDIAN noted today’s date as we reported on yesterday’s March 31 meetings.

According to KTVB NEWSBieter is joining Dave Wali at the Gardner Company, the development firm responsible for major downtown Boise projects like the Zions Bank Building and the underground transportation hub, among others.

Bieter was mayor when those projects came about. He also previously appointed himself to the board of the Capital City Development Corp., Boise’s urban renewal agency. His term expires in 2022 despite his defeat in the November city election which saw former city councilor Lauren McLean win the mayor’s position.

She has also appointed herself to the CCDC urban renewal agency in an obvious move to blunt Bieter’s position. With Gardner so active in development projects, it would appear Bieter will be faced with conflicts of interest as an employee of the firm and a CCDC board member.

Sen. Mary Souza of Coeur d’Alene appeared in front of the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee Thursday. The bill has two parts – including a provision that would require Bieter to leave the CCDC panel.

BOISEDEV quotes Souza, “If you were appointed as an elected person, perhaps a city council member, if you are no longer in office, if you’ve been unelected or retired – you must step down from the urban renewal board,” Souza said.

As mayor, Bieter appointed and reappointed himself to the CCDC board of commissioners. His current term runs through October of 2022.

Souza said that a member could be reappointed (by the new mayor).

The CCDC is a strange animal. Members are appointed by the mayor, but after that there is no control except in the case of major corruption or misconduct. That sets the stage for a dysfunctional system with “hangers on” from one administration able to control or influence wishes of the new administration.

Several past city councilors are still on the panel. Even after he moved out of Boise, former councilor Dave Eberle remained on the CCDC board.

Ludwig adamantly denied any connection to a current or future stadium project.

“All I want is to protect private property rights and honor the intent of those who circulated the petition,” he said adding, “I am not aware of any stadium proposals within the city.”

Here is his statement sent to media outlets Wednesday.

Voters in Boise last November, overwhelmingly approved a city Ordinance that addresses public expenditure on large sports facility projects. Without question, Boiseans clearly stated they wanted public involvement and a resultant vote on a significant public project of this nature. While I wholly support the intention and spirit of the Ordinance, as written it has one significant unintended consequence; the Ordinance violates the rights of private property owners enshrined in the Idaho Constitution.

Attorneys for the City of Boise have repeatedly noted the unconstitutionality of the Ordinance. If left unamended, a legal challenge which would almost assuredly be successful would invalidate the entire Ordinance and would result in unnecessary expense. This can be avoided if simple changes are made to the Ordinance to cure its constitutional deficiencies, and we can preserve the fundamental rights of private property owners and honor the will of the voters of Boise.