The Blaine County school district launched a two-year pilot program for affordable housing to help certified and classified staff pay soaring rents in the region. The $1 million rental assistance program provides a subsidy for eligible staff members who spend 30% or more of their adjusted gross income on rent, utilities, and other relevant housing costs.
Each year Idaho’s cities, counties, and highway districts levy about $150 million in property taxes for maintenance of roads and bridges. Increasing state revenue for local roads and bridges is one way state policymakers could reduce local government reliance on property taxes and provide property tax relief to Idaho businesses and homeowners.
Historically, school districts in Idaho have funded the construction of additional schools needed to serve new growth through property taxes. Growth in operating costs and restricted property tax levy increases eventually required Idaho school districts to seek supplemental overrides and plant levies to generate additional revenue.
When you buy a new shirt at your local department store or a new drill from a local hardware store, part of the sales tax you pay is shared with your city and county. Sharing sales tax revenue with Idaho cities and counties helps fund essential local government services like police and fire protection and road maintenance. It also reduces your city and county’s reliance on property taxes which, in turn, reduces the amount of property taxes you pay.
Since Idaho is the fastest growing state in America, tackling the state’s deferred maintenance backlog to preserve and restore our existing transportation infrastructure is critical to support the growing and vibrant economy in our great state. Deferred maintenance on Idaho roads is a growing issue that needs addressed.