Published on
September 30, 2010 at
10:50 am.
In my last post, I discussed what might be in store at the next legislative session. At the latest meeting, held by the Chamber Alliance (multiple Chambers of Commerce from the valley), there was a presentation by Christine Donnell, former Superintendent of Schools for the Joint District #2 aka Meridian School District.
I actually thought her presentation was very illuminating. She’s now with the Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence, a group of 75-80 businesses wanting to improve education in the State of Idaho. Apparently, there’s a lot to improve. Continue reading ‘What Will They Do part 2′
Published on
September 27, 2010 at
4:06 pm.
In recent weeks, I’ve heard a number of presentations on what might be in store in the next Legislature regarding funding for transportation, both roads and transit, as well as the budget in general. The Governor’s Transportation Task Force has made some preliminary decisions on what revenue sources to recommend for transit.
These are user fees and fares, local option sales tax, local option resort tax (extend to all cities), local option property tax and impact fees. Continue reading ‘What Will They Do?’
Published on
September 22, 2010 at
10:34 am.
Valley Regional Transit (VRT) has been moving forward with a number of projects. VRT receives money from a number of different sources, local governments, rider fares, and the federal government. Some of the revenue can be used for operations and capital expenses, while other revenue, like grants from the feds, can only be used for specific things.
I’m sure one of the questions this essay will bring to mind is, why are they going forward with million dollar projects and then talking about cutting routes. The answer is in the funding source. Continue reading ‘Transit Doings’
Published on
September 16, 2010 at
1:54 pm.
At the September 15, 2010 Commission meeting (not the recorded meeting, the unrecorded pre-meeting meeting) we had an item that entailed constructing a bikepath the length of Pierce Park from State St to Hill Road. The sidewalk will go in on the west side and will actually be quite expensive since drainage issues are involved.
Drainage is always a crapshoot. A lot of it is unknown and generally every project has a surprise with monetary consequences which are rarely to the good. Continue reading ‘Better Late Than Never, I Suppose’
Published on
September 13, 2010 at
12:01 pm.
Last week, the Commission approved a new methodology for setting construction priorities for Ada County roadwork. Staff did a good job coming up with what is essentially a cost/benefit algorithm that is based primarily on congestion reduction and safety benefits. When all is said and done, intersection improvements score very highly.
Interestingly, intersection safety is most enhanced through the use of roundabouts. Property damage only accidents (PDO) are reduced by Continue reading ‘How To Set Improvement Priorities’
Published on
September 10, 2010 at
2:21 pm.
ACHD has declared four more properties surplus. We won’t be setting a date soon for auction since the market is so bad. However, if there is someone interested in one of the properties, that step can be accomplished quickly. At that time, if no bid is suitable, or no bid is offered, then an interested party can negotiate a sale.
The latest four properties are:
1. 7916 Hastings in Boise.
2. 10036 Ustick in Boise.
3. 1475 E Franklin Rd in Meridian.
4. 8960 W Midland in Boise.
Published on
September 2, 2010 at
1:38 pm.
Even the best intentions oftentimes have unintended consequences. Traffic signals are put in to make intersections safer, yet they do lead to traffic slowdowns since one never hits the lights at every intersection. Signs that provide cautionary notes or speed limits proliferate into visual noise that drivers often ignore.
A few small towns in Holland and Germany are experimenting with doing away with all traffic signage/signals in the hopes of decongesting the roads and making driving less confusing.
Yes, it’s totally counterintuitive. Some in Europe believe that by removing all the signs, drivers must pay increased attention to the roadway. Currently they feel that the proliferation of signs is caused by the fear of litigation rather than safety concerns. Apparently the lawyers have been unchained in Europe as they have here.
Bizarrely, in Drachten Holland, they have even built a children’s playground in the middle of the road to force drivers to slow down. (Wonder who lets their kids actually play there?) Continue reading ‘A Sign of the Future?’
Published on
August 31, 2010 at
9:05 pm.
Last week, the ACHD Commission voted to approve a budget, that while it does not raise the aggregate amount of taxes ($31,700,000) levied upon the public, does give a 15% tax rate increase. I could not in good conscience approve that budget. Government should not try and hold itself harmless while those that actually pay the taxes suffer with lowered property values, lower personal incomes and all that go along with that.
The sad thing is that only one citizen bothered to discuss the budget. Mr David Klinchuch, who is running for the ACHD Commission from the Kuna/South Meridian/Southwest Boise area, made some good points. He mentioned that ACHD’s overhead is too high, that the impact fee and highway user’s fund revenue projections are unrealistically high based on the economy, and that every expense reduction imaginable must be considered. Alas, his comments were disregarded. Continue reading ‘A Tax Rate Hike and Almost Nobody Cares’
Published on
August 12, 2010 at
4:11 pm.
In less than 2 weeks, ACHD Commissioners will be voting on the 2010-2011 budget. While it was built with taking only the same amount of property tax next year as this, it still provides the property owners with a stunning 15% tax rate hike. That’s because the value of property has fallen dramatically through Ada County. Your house is worth 12-14% less than last year, but you get to pay the same amount of taxes.
Recently we had another bad piece of news in Idaho/Ada County. Our personal income fell 3% last year, almost double the national average. Housing prices down, personal income down, employment stagnant and perhaps 5-10 years before property values rebound.
Like last year, this is not a good year to raise taxes – or tax rates. Families are doing more with less or less with less. Government should do the same. Government should not be a leading indicator in the recession, it should be a lagging indicator.
Last year, I proposed cutting the property tax revenue by $1,000,000 over the previous year. Continue reading ‘The Budget is Nigh’
Published on
July 30, 2010 at
6:58 am.
Recently I had a call from someone asking about the construction on Main St in downtown Boise. There were some metal rods going in at the curbs and there was a big hole in the street. Also the corners were torn up. This person was adamant that the construction was in aid of the proposed trolley – that the hole in the street was the electrical for the trolley and that the curb and sidewalk work with the metal rods was to strengthen the street for the trolley.
I told her to relax. The street corner work you see in downtown Boise is ACHD installing new pedestrian ramps to conform with ADA requirements. And if you see a hole in the street, it’s utility work. In the case of Main St near City Hall, it was a sewer problem.
While the trolley might still be a hope of Boise City officials, so far it’s just a hope and not reality. That may change but not for a while, if ever.
The Three Cities River Crossing Bridge is a no go for now. The funding was just not ensured to take on a project of that magnitude. I did mention that the City of Eagle could take on a bond election as a project since they really want the bridge to be constructed. However, I don’t think they were too excited to do that.
Finally, the Commission did give the dentist the lease . The consultant pretty much stated the same points I made previously and the staff recommended that we sign the five year lease. The conversation was still like pulling teeth but at least that’s a win for the taxpayer.
