An alert reader sent me this information, obtained from the Kootenai County Assessor’s Office and reflects actual 2007 tax bills for 4 area properties.  I have the addresses and parcel numbers to back up this info.  These example properties show the small percentage of tax money that goes to our city & county, and how much goes to LCDC.  Remember that those of us living outside the LCDC districts pay more to offset the money the city and county are shorted by this operation.

Property 1:  Tax Bill=$9,100.    Dollars Paid to City/County=$347.   Tax Dollars to LCDC=$8,753.

Property 2:  Tax Bill=$14,795.  Dollars Paid to City/County=$7,363. Tax Dollars to LCDC=$7432.

Property 3:  Tax Bill=$34,393.  Dollars Paid to City/County=$856.    Tax Dollars to LCDC=$33,537.

Property 4:  Tax Bill=$23,907.  Dollars Paid to City/County=$775.    Tax Dollars to LCDC=$23,132.

Jeff Cogen is an elected official, Commissioner for Multnomah County in Oregon and he nails it about Urban Renewal.
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The City’s Pulse Newsletter

By Mary Souza, August 12, 2008

Kootenai County Jail officials and the CdA School District are forced to talk to the public, whether they want to or not.  They must convince us to vote for their levies or bond issues in order to fund any new buildings or major changes.  That’s how the system is designed to work.    (more…)

It’s all about the process.  That’s what we’ve been hammering on this site for months.  Critics don’t want to address the lack of public process by some of our elected officials, they just want to make personal attacks on those asking for clarity and responsibility.

I’m being accused, on a different blog site, of not offering solutions.  Here’s my answer:   (more…)

Ok, everyone’s probably watching the Olympics, so here’s a question:  Do you find it surprising that Pres. Bush is the first US Presdient to ever attend any Olympics outside our country?  Was that a good idea or not?

Any other ideas, comment or suggestions on this or other subjects?

The School District 271 Trustee meeting this past Monday was not adjourned, instead it was recessed. The item they have left to address to is to pick a replacement for Christie Wood, who resigned recently. The meeting is at 4:00 at the Midtown Meeting Center.

The Press article about the City budget workshop yesterday left more questions than answers.  Magically, the city will be able to afford most of the positions and amenities they stated last month they did not have the money fund.  (more…)

Here are links to the agendas for the two meetings showing on this week’s events calendar. Monday, August 4:  School District 271 School Board Meeting Tuesday, August 5:  Coeur d’Alene Parking Commission Meeting  Tuesday, August 5:  Coeur d’Alene City Council Meeting

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A reader just emailed me with some thoughts about education.  I agree that education doesn’t guarantee success, as the NIC consultants want to figure into their calculations.  We all know many folks who got a college degree but never applied themselves in life.    (more…)