Taxes
Simplot JUMP Gets $1 million Tax Break
The Ada Commishes acting as the County Board of Equalization, has lost a battle for more than $1 million in property taxes on the nearly completed J.R. Simplot JUMP Project in downtown Boise. JUMP is the acronym for “Jack’s Urban Meeting Place.” The $62.5 million building and surrounding land is owned by the J.R. Simplot […]
Ada Commishes Pay $2.65 Million For Trash Power Rights
REVISED POST WITH CLARIFICATIONS There’s big money to be had at Ada County’s landfill, even if it’s just for blue sky. When the new commishes took over three years ago, they decided it was in the county’s best interest to payoff Dynamis about $2,000,000 to go away after it became apparent the outfit was not […]
New Spin On Boise “Job Creation”
Two full weeks before April Fools Day, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter’s “Team Dave” plans to make a sales pitch to increase staff size which will cost millions in taxpayer dollars in years to come, all because they have an extra $500,000 of citizen’s cash burning a hole in their pocket. According to the BOISE WEEKLY, […]
GUARDIAN Bus Would Run Every 13 Sec. For Cost Of Trolley
In the quest to make downtown Boise the most “unfriendly car city” in America, Boise’s Team Dave has come up with, would you believe yet another…TROLLEY CIRCULATOR plan. The Boise WEEKLY’s George Prentice offers a look which prompted the GUARDIAN to turn to the calculator for perspective. Using the City’s figures, reported by Prentice, we […]
PUC Suggests Boise Cut Water Fee
BY GUARDIAN READER JJ In an under-reported action by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission on October 7th 2015, the PUC will allow responsibility for maintenance and replacement of Boise fire hydrants to shift from the City to United Water. In their ruling the PUC expressed concern that the shift could result in higher water rates […]
Ada Jail Offers Discount Rates To State
Trivago.com, Travelocity and Hotels.com don’t hold a candle to the Idaho Department of Corrections when it comes to discount room rates. IDOC gets about a 50% discount on rooms at the Ada County jail where the actual cost to keep an inmate is $92 a day. It has been a long standing practice of the […]
Wells Fargo: GBAD Deal Too Risky
After countless hours and thousands of dollars spent on legal advice, the Greater Boise Auditorium District learned their bank was no longer interested in making a loan. Wells Fargo Bank backed out of an agreement last month to fund a $24 million construction project that centered around a new ballroom in a building being constructed […]
Valley Ride Missed The Bus Despite Growth
Our transportation consultant has provided some insight into the operation and success–or lack thereof–at Valley Ride, the regional bus system. By Jimmy D. Bus GUARDIAN Consultant With planners screaming for “increased density” and repeating the mantra “we have to get people out of their cars,” I harken back to the days when Boise’s BUS system […]
Valley Has $150,000,000 Annual Shortfall
We heard an ad on the radio recently from the Community Planning Association, COMPASS, which claimed Treasure Valley comes up short $150 million each year when it comes to transportation funding. The private agency which is funded by assorted taxpayer funded local governments explains details HERE. They say the big issue is growth and predict […]
Simplot Hilltop Home Demolished
By DAVE FRAZIER, GUARDIAN editor When I saw the news reporting the demise of the J.R. Simplot house on the hill overlooking Bogus Basin Road–and the entire valley, not only was I incredulous, but I actually felt a little empty. It was empty for 10 years even after a group of influential Idahoans pushed hard […]
BSU Seeks To Wipe Out Boise Neighborhood
In an informative piece of local reporting, the STATESMAN informed us Sunday that Boise State University has expansion plans which could see the demise of the Southeast Neighborhood along Boise Ave. In a nutshell: BSU officials want to increase the footprint of the school by 50 acres which would wipeout dozens of homes in the […]
2016 Resolution Requests…HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The GUARDIAN promises to at least try to have a more positive attitude during the coming year. One step in that direction would be fulfilling the following list of New Year’s resolutions: –Boise city council will abandon any plans for a trolley or any other permanent tracks in our streets. –Taxes will be reduced across […]
AG Investigates $31K Discrepancy At Ada Office
A forensic audit of the County Treasurer’s office ordered by the Ada Commishes has revealed a criminal investigation over a $31,000 discrepancy is underway by the Idaho Attorney General’s office. The audit is the latest chapter in the feud between the Commishes and the Treasurer. Details of minute-by-minute alterations to the accounting of a […]
Too Expensive To Live (Work) In Boise?
With daily sad stories about low income folks–many are refugees–being forced out of their apartments due to rent hikes, questions about “affordable housing” are being raised. Those who are being “driven out” are not the homeless living in tents. They are people who have paid monthly rents at places that are in need of improvements, […]
Good Turnout, No Changes, The Beat Goes On
We saw no surprises when it came to Boise candidates and issues in Tuesday’s election. Today we got some precinct results in Boise and there weren’t even any trends that popped up there. The turnout of nearly 30% of registered voters was certainly good to see, but we simply cannot buy claims that election results […]
Firefighters Pay Bieter More Than Peavey-Derr’s Entire Fund Raising
It comes as no surprise that nearly every builder, developer, and engineering firm along with lots of lawyers and realtors have made campaign payments to incumbent Mayor Dave Bieter’s campaign war chest. In the game of politics, you have to pay to play. A post by Randy Stapilus at Ridenbaugh Press reveals Bieter has been […]
Clegg Favors $100,000,000 Third Runway At BOI
Incumbent Boise City Council candidate Elaine Clegg issued a press release today in which she favors a third runway for Boise’s airport at a cost of $100,000,000 to resolve jet noise concerns of homeowners living near the airport. From the CLEGG CAMPAIGN Boise City Council member Elaine Clegg responds to Bench neighborhood jet-noise concerns I […]
Ada Treasurer vs Commish Feud Gets Nasty
Among Ada County Courthouse workers and close observers, it is no secret there is a nasty feud underway between the Commishes and Treas Vicky McIntyre. It became very apparent when she filed criminal allegations against the three commishes who were all exonerated following an eight month investigation by the Idaho Attorney General. She alleged a […]
Supremes Rule For GBAD In Frazier Case
The Idaho Supreme Court in a unanimous ruling Thursday said language in a financing contract between the Greater Boise Auditorium District, Capital City Devbelopment (CCDC) Wells Fargo Bank and the Gardner Development Company complies with the constitution whether it is a lease or a purchase. GUARDIAN editor David R. Frazier responded to the District’s petition […]
Foothills Levy Nothing But A Slush Fund
Question: Shall the City of Boise City, Idaho protect clean water and drinking water, wildlife habitat, critical open space, and native plant species, and enhance recreation opportunities and trails through the establishment of a fund from a temporary override levy enabling the purchase of property and improvement projects in areas such as the Boise Foothills […]
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