County
Commish Tibbs Has Triple Bypass
Ada County Commish Jim Tibbs underwent triple bypass heart surgery at a Boise hospital Friday morning after complaining of indigestion earlier in the week during a routine medical exam. Commish Chair Dave Case told the GUARDIAN Tibbs is “doing fine, but he will be out of the office for a few weeks.” Former Commishes Vern […]
Four Votes Approve $781 Million Development Debt
The Spring Valley CID north of Eagle needed a 2/3 majority vote to pass Tuesday and it got exactly 4 out of six votes to approve the $325 million bonds worth a total of $781 million after interest. Future homeowners will have to repay the debt. VOTES PERCENT REGISTERED VOTERS – TOTAL . . . […]
Fifty Votes From M3 Development To Be Sealed, Not Counted
Ada County Clerk Chris Rich told the GUARDIAN Monday that 50 ballots from the M3 development owner north of Eagle would not be counted in tomorrow’s bond election after both the Idaho Attorney General and Ada County Prosecutor determined only residents of Idaho and the district could vote. That leaves the fate of $325 million […]
Five Voters Are Key To $781 Million Bond Deal
When a mere five electors cast their ballots in the May 21 election, they will determine one of the biggest financial decisions in Idaho history, totaling $781 MILLION dollars. According to the official ballot language, revenue and general obligation bonds total $325 million and at the estimated interest rate of 7%, homeowners will eventually repay […]
Transit Center Derailed Before First Spade Of Dirt Is Turned
Valley Regional Transit has joined the ranks of Team Dave when it comes to getting the proverbial cart before the horse. VRT is sending out press releases saying the agency is moving forward on a downtown “Multi-Modal Transit Center” and solicits a private partner on the project. All this despite the owner of the land–Idaho […]
Ada Hires Former Colleague Of Commish Case
A new Business Process Analyst at the Ada County Landfill is, “Already knee deep in projects,” according to county operations director Dave Logan. The GUARDIAN received word that Benny Poole, a former hearing officer at the Idaho Parole Commission and former colleague of Ada Commish Chairman Dave Case had been hired April 15 at an […]
No Drunks Or Walk-Ins At Detox Center
While working on a story about Boise’s relationship with Alcoholics Anonymous, we learned Boise’s Detox Center is not what it was cracked up to be. The facility may be well intended, save money for the hospitals, and provide services to some of those in need. It doesn’t fill the role it was touted as filling. […]
Bonner County Violates Law In Effort To Skirt Voters
In the latest example of local officials skirting voter approval for debt in excess of a single year’s revenues, Bonner County finds itself crosswise of the Idaho Constitution. Instead of asking permission of citizens as prescribed in Article VIII, sec. 3 of the Idaho Constitution, Bonner Commishes simply took a lesson from their Federal counterparts […]
Lawsuit Against Ada County Over Dynamis To Be Withdrawn
Counsel for the group suing Ada County over the Dynamis debacle have notified the GUARDIAN they intend to drop the complaint since it was against the former Ada Commishes and the new board has canceled the contract–at a cost of $2 million. In a statement they said, “The plaintiffs in the Idaho Citizens, et al., […]
Valley Taxpayers To Fund Chamber Of Commerce Sun Valley Junket
For the 20th year citizens of Treasure Valley will be asked to fund a SUN VALLEY JUNKET for various elected officials and government staffers to learn about making Boise and the surrounding area more appealing to businesses and tourists. The Chamber of Commerce website post says: This year’s theme will be: “Building Livable Cities in […]
Mayor, Council President Jordan Sent “Poison Valentine”
Mayor Dave Bieter and Councilor Maryanne Jordan acted without the knowledge of at least half the City Council when they caused an anonymous letter to be delivered to legislators claiming ACHD had a bad relationship with other Ada County cities and other allegations. The GUARDIAN sought responses from the entire council so citizens would know […]
Boise Attempts “Valentine Day Massacre” On ACHD, Shoots Mayor, Council In Foot
A bungled attempt by Boise City to ambush the Ada County Highway District’s relationship with the Idaho Legislature on February 14 has ignited a unified firestorm of disgust and outrage from the mayors of Meridian, Kuna, Star and Eagle, the Ada County Commishes, and the ACHD board. The sleazy attempt by those in the office […]
Ada-Dynamis Deal Runs Out Of Energy, Commishes Kill Project
It isn’t electrifying news, but the new Ada County Commishes have disconnected with Dynamis over the proposed trash-to-energy plant at the county landfill. Dynamis gets to keep the $2 million the previous board paid the private company and agrees to not sue Ada for any future claims. “We fought to get the $2 million back, […]
Governor Forgot Most Important “Stakeholders”
This guest post comes from long time GUARDIAN reader “IDAHOLIC.” He makes a valid point that individual property owners will get whacked in the pocketbook if the personal property tax–paid in large part by big operators like power and telephone companies–is repealed. I can’t believe the lack of information and discussion of this proposal that […]
Boise Gives Away Fire Service Outside City
Each budget season local governments across the USA look for ways to fund essential services. According to the Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE there is a move to charge fees to tax-exempt properties ranging from churches, and hospitals to government agencies and institutions of higher learning. In Boise the most glaring example of free city services lies with […]
Rich Wright Sues Ada County
Former Ada County “Director of Administration,” Rich Wright, his filed a $1.5 million wrongful termination suit against the county after the newly elected commishes eliminated his position in favor of a “chief of staff,” during their first meeting. Don’t look for the suit to go anywhere because the position amounted to a political appointment for […]
PTSD, Mental Diagnosis Cloud Gun Issues
The DEATH of a U.S. military veteran allegedly shot by a former Marine suffering from PTSD in Texas put the issue of mental illness in the forefront of concealed weapons discussions. Former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and his neighbor Chad Littlefield took former Marine Eddie Ray Routh to a Texas gun range to help him, […]
Ada Elected Officers Sworn In Monday
ADA ELECTED OFFICERS (left to right) Treasurer Vicky McIntyre, Clerk Chris Rich, Sheriff Gary Raney, Commish Rick Yzaguirre, Commish Dave Case, Commish Jim Tibbs, Coroner Erwin Sonnenberg, Assessor Bob McQuade, Prosecutor Greg Bower Dave Case is the new chairman of the Ada County Board of County Commissioners (“Commish”) after the board met early Monday, January […]
Personal Property Tax Repeal Could Open Proverbial “Can Of Worms”
Before the personal property tax repeal has even been considered, the GUARDIAN got a call from a guy who has figured out how to beat the system–with a loophole that will be as bad as the current system. He predicts not only a loss of revenue from personal property taxes, but a steep decline in […]
Winter Doldrums, Not Much New To Blog
The GUARDIAN is still here, but there isn’t much new to share. Even the Statesman has resorted to devoting the front page to news that’s 100 years old–featuring Kuna and Eagle history books that have apparently hit the stores recently. Legislature is in town, Boise State football is over, Repubs and Tea Party still don’t […]
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