Happy Monday, JohnA. You can’t be serious, trying to say that LCDC does not increase our taxes! Sure they are not a taxing district and don’t levy taxes themselves, but they divert taxes and in doing so they cause ALL the property taxes in Kootenai County to go higher. The highest rates, of course, are for those living within the city of CdA.
Here’s JohnA’s comment just a short while ago:
Susie, please inform your downtown business owner that if he (or she) hadn’t paid those taxes to LCDC, they would have gone to the other districts on his tax bill. Remember, please, that LCDC does not levy taxes. They get taxes from the increase in the owner’s property value since LCDC was created in 1997, and those taxes are based on the budgets set by all of those other districts on his tax bill. It is a diversion of taxes to LCDC that he (or she) would have to pay in any event, and only because their property increased in value. Thanks.
Comment by JohnA — November 29, 2010 @ 11:37 am
Wallypog,
I’ll restate your comment 48 slightly: The urban renewal law passed with benevolent intentions by the legislature has been corrupted by predators in our state who are exploiting the weaknesses in the law and are using public money for private gain. Unfortunately, our law enforcement agencies, including the state attorney general, have neither the political will nor the investigative skill to pursue the predators. Neither do some legislators have the desire to rein in the illegal exploitation since the exploiters have considerable social, political, and economic influence.
Comment by Bill — December 2, 2010 @ 5:08 pm
I’ll say that John Austin is a nice guy. We’ve never met but I like the fact that he comes over here and expresses his point of view in a respectful way, even though I think he’s wrong.
John, I don’t know your definition of socialism, but I view the current use of urban renewal in CdA and much of Idaho, as “soft socialism”. Let me clarify: It’s the government (our mayor and council) allowing LCDC to divert taxpayer money, against our will, to be used for PRIVATE BUSINESS to buy and install items that are owned PRIVATELY. Sometimes these taxpayer-subsidized private businesses even compete directly with other regular private business, (think Kroc Center) which is a horrible crime against our Constitution.
I know many folks in Idaho think of themselves as conservative until it comes to their money-making opportunities. Then they are driven by the politics of greed. I think that’s what LCDC is. Not partisan, just greed. I think the NIC board has a good case of that also.
Comment by mary — December 2, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
Mary,
Your comment concerning the politics of greed is right on the money. Corrupt public officials and the shills they hire are chameleons, changing their political color to fit the audience they’re trying to deceive and victimize. They will say what they need to say to victimize the people whom they intend to victimize. It matters little to them if they are truthful or not. The rabidistas of all political parties, blinded by partisan dogma and rhetoric, are easily victimized by them. It isn’t about political ideology; it’s about taking your money and my money and making it their money.
Comment by Bill — December 2, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
I too have much respect for JohnA and thank him for coming here and debating the issues. John, I agree “IF” UR is used correctly it can benefit many BUT, I have said it before, used the way the LCDC is using it is like an athlete on steroids. Yes they will grow big and fast. But like an athelete on steroids they can also cause cancer and premature death.
I was down in riverstone today and noticed the big banner that said “CONDOS 65% OFF”.
Comment by concerned citizen — December 2, 2010 @ 7:22 pm
CC (tongue in cheek)…oh but in 20 years you’ll appreciate the sacrifices and decisions made currently by the LCDC because the community will be so much better off. I guess all those condos will be full ,UNLESS THEY TURN INTO A GHETTO IN THE MEANTIME.
Comment by Ancientemplar — December 2, 2010 @ 7:55 pm
CC, I’ve often thought that LCDC has damaged the local economy by offering incentives that make developers build too big, too fancy and too fast for their own pocketbooks. The result if there’s any hiccup in the economy?…financial disaster. Just consider Marshall Chesrown. He was on top of the world, now he’s pretty much gone. He was big on urban renewal. I would guess the Ice Plant Condos $30,000 promised from LCDC) and the Sherman Lofts Condos ($400,000 promised from LCDC) are hurting too.
Comment by mary — December 2, 2010 @ 7:56 pm
Mary, developers will always take any money available from any source. If they structure the “deal” correctly in the worst case they’ll get construction fees at the time the construction loans are funded and progress billings are paid and then they’ll get the development fees at the notice of completion and acceptance by their takeout lender. These are substantial. If the deal goes sideways or upside down there already paid and gone. These fees run from 5% on constr to 4% on the project value and that’s conservative. Those are hugh numbers. The LCDC is free money and the LCDC has drank the kool aid because they are in for the long haul and the developer couldn’t give a a diddleee.
Comment by Ancientemplar — December 2, 2010 @ 8:34 pm
The LCDC is just looking out for the “SELECT FEW”. UR, in the case of CdA, has sped up the growth and did not employ locals for a longer period of time. Instead, the process incouraged out of town rapists, I mean, developers to come in make their score and be gone. The ONLY reason the proponents of the LCDC do not wish to admit this is because THEY are the “SELECT FEW”. CdA, IMO, would not be in as MUCH of a bind had growth been left to its own pace. I can point out MANY lots, parcels, run down buildings, empty buildings, etc. within city limits that, to this day, STILL need attention and is MORE deserving of LCDC help than the “poor waterfront property”. The “poor waterfront property” eventually would have been purchased and built upon by GOOD quality developers had the rest of the town been cleaned up first inviting such good developers. I am sorry to say that waterfront is NOT blight.
Even the house flipper caught on. These people come in, slap on a coat of paint, nice siding, new carpet and all the pretty stuff leaving the OLD plumbing, wiring, mechanical, etc. and leave town after selling a house in no better condition than when they purchased it, only “prettier”.
AND, these are supposed to be educated people running the local system. I think NOT!
Comment by concerned citizen — December 3, 2010 @ 6:41 am
Thinking about the continued entrenched thinking of the supporters of the LCDC I began thinking about the “payout” upon the closing 12-15 years out. The “big” pile of cash goes to the city and guess what, about that time there will be many retirees as a result of the tremendous growth of the number of city employees during the life of the LCDC. Just a question………. When was the last time the city had an outside audit of its retirement program and it’s corresponding accounts? It would be wise to take a look.
Comment by Ancientemplar — December 5, 2010 @ 2:05 pm
Just catching up here.
Gary, very little of my income is derived from urban renewal agencies, so you’ll have to make your ‘Industry’ case somewhere else. Sorry to disappoint you on that one.
Mary: “allowing LCDC to divert taxpayer money, against our will, to be used for PRIVATE BUSINESS to buy and install items that are owned PRIVATELY.” Other than the small percentage of total funds that went for the 50% grants for facades, Mary, what other items are ‘installed to be owned privately by developers’? I think that’s a generalization that needs to be explained by you. Thank you.
Finally, Ancient, as I noted earlier, all governments stand to receive large payouts when the LCDC districts end, not just the city. Meanwhile, the city’s employees are part of the state pension system, known as the Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI). Contributions from most of the 1,100 governments in Idaho go into the system (about 6% of salary is paid by employees, matched by about 10% from their employers). If you check the records, PERSI is among the top state pension plans in the country as far as covering its liabilities. So, there is nothing to be concerned about when the city’s employees pull the plug, either now or when LCDC’s districts end.
On a personal note, I’m happy about that last fact since I’m eligible for the first time this month to draw my PERSI pension. 🙂
Comment by JohnA — December 7, 2010 @ 3:33 pm